Texas Longhorns Week 5 Opponent Preview: Kansas Jayhawks
Two years ago, the Texas Longhorns suffered one of the bigger upsets in the program's recent history in a 57-56 loss to the Kansas Jayhawks — one of two wins by the Jayhawks in 2021.
Last year, the No. 3 Longhorns righted the ship with a dominating 55-14 win last season over bowl-game-bound Kansas. Quarterback Quinn Ewers didn't play great, completing 57 percent of his 21 pass attempts for 107 yards and one touchdown but it wasn't the end of the world.
Former running back Bijan Robinson had the best game of his three-year Texas career against the Jayhawks, rushing for 243 yards and four touchdowns which are both of his career-best marks. But he wasn't the only Longhorns back to have a good day at the office.
Jonathon Brooks had Texas' best yards per rush with 9.8 yards on 11 carries for 108 yards and two touchdowns.
No. 24 Kansas has its star quarterback Jalon Daniels back after missing a game due to a back injury. Daniels was named the Preseason Big 12 Player of the Year, and since his return, has completed 74.7 percent of his passes for 705 yards, five touchdowns and just one interception.
Running back Devin Neal has rushed for 98.5 yards per game, which is 18th in the Football Bowl Subdivision, providing a good complement that can open up run-pass options for Kansas' offense.
The Jayhawks also return each of their top 10 receivers and four of their five offensive linemen, adding former Wisconsin tackle Logan Brown in the transfer portal to fill the void of Earl Bostick Jr.
Kansas' offense is seeing slight upticks in its offensive production from last season, averaging 463 yards and 37.8 points per game this season.
Texas' defense, which has risen to the occasion early on, will be tested Saturday when it plays Kansas at Darrell K Royal-Memorial Stadium.
Kansas Jayhawks
2023 Record: 4-0, 1-0 Big 12
Head coach: Lance Leipold
Offensive Leaders:
Passing: QB Jalon Daniels
2023 stats: 56-for-75, 705 yards, five touchdowns, one interception
Rushing: RB Devin Neal
2023 stats: 57 carries, 394 yards, five touchdowns
Receiving: WR Lawrence Arnold
2023 stats: 18 receptions, 246 yards, 13.7 yards per catch
Defensive Leaders:
Tackles: SAF Kenny Logan Jr., 23
Interceptions: CB Cobee Bryant, 2
Sacks: DL Austin Booker, Jereme Robinson, 3.5
