Kansas Football hosted Cincinnati on Saturday, and Jayhawks fans were left with an all-too-familiar gut-wrenching feeling that the 2024 season brought them. In a back-and-forth affair that never saw either of the two teams lead by more than one possession, the Bearcats manufactured a 10-play, 75-yard touchdown scoring drive in just over a minute to take a 37-34 lead with just 29 seconds remaining. Kansas would have one more chance to attempt to get into field goal range to potentially tie the game, but were unable to do so, ultimately losing by three.
As is the case in close games in any sport, there are crucial, winning-type plays to be made – and teams either make them or they don’t. On Saturday on Cincinnati’s game-winning drive, Kansas had a great chance at a game-sealing interception on a Bearcats’ 3rd and 10 play, but the ball went off the hands of two Jayhawks and gave Cincy one more chance. On 4th and 10, Cincinnati’s wide receiver Noah Jennings made an unbelievable one-handed catch – a winning play – to extend the drive. Bearcat tailback Tawee Walker finished off the drive, ultimately clinching the win. KU fell to 3-2 on the season and 1-1 in Big 12 play, and the Jayhawks are now 4-12 in their last 16 games decided by one possession.
While the disappointed feeling will remain for those within the Jayhawk program, KU has an opportunity to get back in the win column when they head to Orlando on Saturday to battle UCF. Jayhawks’ head coach Lance Leipold was frank in his press conference on Monday, being clear that whether Kansas had won or lost against Cincinnati, the coaches would be talking about the same areas of the game that need to improve. Perhaps the most important area is efficiency on the “money downs”, 3rd and 4th downs, on both sides of the football.
Offensively, Kansas was just 3/9 on 3rd down conversions, a 33% conversion rate (although Kansas did go 2/2 on 4th down) eerily similar to the Jayhawks’ first four games of the season. Defensively, Kansas allowed Cincinnati to go 10/19 on 3rd and 4th down conversions, including particularly crucial ones, none more so than the Jennings catch late. In KU’s other loss at Mizzou, the Tigers went 14/24 combined on 3rd and 4th downs, a 58% conversion rate.
On the defensive side, Kansas was gashed at times by Cincinnati’s star quarterback Brendan Sorsby and the Bearcats’ large crop of talented receivers. While there were unquestionably issues in the secondary, the Jayhawks also failed to get consistent pressure on Sorsby up front. When Blake Herold and company did so more often in the second half, Sorsby and the receiving corps weren’t nearly as effective. Also, Kansas’ defense needs to create more havoc. KU didn’t force any turnovers in this one and has just three takeaways in their last four games.
Offensively, Kansas needs to establish a consistent run game and be better in the tight red zone. On Saturday, the Jayhawks had three different trips to the red zone that resulted in only six points. Twice Kansas was forced into short field goal attempts in the first half, and once they turned it over (the only turnover of the game for either team) when quarterback Jalon Daniels fumbled early in the 4th quarter. In a three-point loss, it’s obviously a different story if KU converts touchdowns on any of those occasions.
Finally, Kansas needs to figure out how to be better at the ends of halves. Aside from the Bearcats’ decisive drive, they also had chunk plays at the end of the first half that ultimately resulted in a made field goal. That was a recurring issue for 2024 Kansas Football, and 2025 KU needs to make sure it’s an anomaly this season.
In terms of positives, Daniels was incredible again. JD6 accounted for 500 total yards – 445 passing and 55 rushing – 4 touchdowns and no interceptions. While the lost fumble in this one will haunt him, he’s still played well enough to be in the Heisman conversation. His 16 passing touchdowns this year surpassed his total of 14 from 2024.
Wide Receiver Emmanuel Henderson had five catches for 214 yards – including two touchdown receptions of 93 and 75 yards, respectively. He’s emerged as KU’s top playmaker on the outside. Additionally, two other pass-catchers also had career days. Tight end Boden Groen had five catches for 84 yards and a touchdown and looks to remain a big factor in the Jayhawks’ offense. Program guy Keaton Kubecka had a career-high three catches for 53 yards as well, including some crucial receptions late. Fans should be excited about these guys emerging and the fact that this KU offense can be as electric as ever.
As I said earlier, KU has a great chance to beat a UCF team with question marks when they head to the Acrisure Bounce House on Saturday at 6:30. The Knights have question marks at quarterback and a first-year head coach (albeit a coach who coached there prior in Scott Frost), but UCF is likely a team who will finish in the bottom half of the Big 12. If the Jayhawks find a way to pick up a nice road win, we’ll be looking at a 4-2 (2-1) team eyeing a big time battle in Lubbock against a quality Texas Tech team in Week 7. Let’s be sure to get that win in Orlando and get the good vibes back. Rock Chalk!
Sean Kellerman