Kansas Comes Up Short Against Undefeated TCU 38-31
Lawrence, Kansas was the center of the college football universe on Saturday beginning before the sun rose, playing in a matchup of ranked teams with ESPN’s College GameDay in attendance.
And even though TCU ultimately came away with a 38-31 win, Kansas proved that it belonged and the 5-0 start was no fluke. With starting quarterback Jalon Daniels knocked out of the game with an injury right before halftime, the Jayhawks and backup Jason Bean still had a chance to tie the game in the final minute, but a no-call horse collar on third down and an incomplete pass on fourth (a lack of pass interference called was also questioned) ended the comeback pursuit.
The playmaking lived up to the hype. It just took a half for it to happen. Surprising to most, the first half was a defensive battle. TCU kicked home a field goal on the first possession of the game, but then the Horned Frogs and Jayhawks either had to punt or had a turnover on downs on the next six possessions.
The ultimate momentum swing took place close to halftime. At the end of an 80-yard drive, Daniels fumbled the ball trying to extend to the end zone and it was recovered by TCU, who then went 99 yards to make the score 10-0. KU redeemed itself a bit, scoring a field goal on the next possession, but at the expense of Daniels’ health. OJ Burroughs ended the half picking off Max Duggan for the first time this year.
Then the fireworks came in the second half. KU and TCU combined for a 21-21 third quarter, complete with incredible passes and catches. Jason Bean was exceptional to start, going 6-7 for 99 yards and two touchdowns in his first three drives on the second half. Meanwhile, a Kenny Logan forced fumble and fumble recovery helped KU jump out to a 17-10 lead.
After a Horned Frogs touchdown, a bad interception by Bean in KU territory let TCU get out in front 24-17, but Bean bounced back with a 38-yard strike to Quinton Skinner. It was Skinner again who made a tremendous catch in the back of the end zone with four minutes left in the game by barely getting his knee in bounds to tie it at 31, but Duggan and TCU got the last laugh with a big pitch and catch with 1:36 left in the game.
Bean finished with 262 yards, four touchdowns and one pick on 16-24 passing in virtually one half as KU recorded 540 yards of total offense. Devin Neal was the main rusher on the ground with 88 yards on 15 carries, while Skinner had a huge 98 yards and two TDs. Mason Fairchild and Luke Grimm also had at least 70 yards and a touchdown as well.
Kansas will now look to rebound on the road against an Oklahoma team that is in a nosedive and was just embarrassed in the Red River Rivalry.
