Halftime Musings: Defenses MIA as Kansas leads Oklahoma State 25-24
It was a painful start to the game for fans of the Kansas Jayhawks, as it was a flat start on the road yet again. But ultimately the first half got weird, as both offenses got rolling to the tune of a combined 669 yards. Even though this game has already almost hit the over on the day, here are some big first half takeaways.
Jason Bean is on a hot streak
For all those that doubted the ability of Jason Bean to do damage consistently through the air, the Kansas quarterback had a message in the first half. After the running game struggled in the first drive, Bean decided that he wouldn't let the second drive fizzle in the same way.
A quick throw to Jared Casey got a huge first down, and just a couple plays later a deep shot to Trevor Wilson got Kansas on the board. He followed that up with two more long touchdown throws, both to Mason Fairchild.
But he saved his best for the end of the half, scrambling around the backfield to extend the play to allow Quentin Skinner time to get behind the defense for a huge 49-yard touchdown. He has a ridiculous 274 yards and four touchdowns in the first half.
Defense can't start hot on the road
I'm not really sure what it is about this team, but they have struggled mightily at the beginning of games on the road. Texas marched down the field on their first drive. Nevada had early success. And Oklahoma State scored on their first three drives with little resistance. It is completely fair to point out that Kansas was without Hayden Hatcher due to his injury. But this defense still has had multiple issues stopping huge plays by an Oklahoma State offense that has been struggling this season.
They stepped up in the middle of that first half to get some three and outs and allow the offense to get back into the lead, but there were too many big plays.
Special Teams are not special today
It's been a rough day or the special teams. Seth Keller has had two extra points blocked, with one being negated by a penalty on Oklahoma State. Another extra point had the holder bobble the ball. And the parts of the special teams that have shone in the past didn't really get a chance in that half. None of the Oklahoma State punts have been returned, and the only kickoff return came from Torry Locklin, who was only able to get 12 yards.
