Kansas football vs Oklahoma State grades as Jayhawks coast to Big 12 Conference win
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LAWRENCE — Kansas football won 38-21 on Saturday at home during Big 12 Conference play against Oklahoma State.
Here’s how the Jayhawks (5-4, 3-3 in Big 12) graded out from their victory against the Cowboys (1-8, 0-6):
Offense: Jayhawks carve up Oklahoma State’s defense
Kansas’ offense scored on every drive except for its last one, and that was just because it ran the clock out in the fourth quarter to end the game. Jayhawks quarterback Jalon Daniels appeared far more comfortable than he did the week prior, on the way to two touchdown passes with no interceptions. Running back Daniel Hishaw Jr. was also impressive, breaking tackles on his way to 65 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
Grade: A
Defense: Kansas improves over course of game
Kansas’ defense was lucky in the first half, with two of Oklahoma State’s drives offensively ending in failed field goal attempts. But as the game progressed, the Jayhawks settled in more and more. The Cowboys’ running game was relatively ineffective, and OSU quarterback Zane Flores’ effectiveness through the air wasn’t enough to lead his side to a win.
Grade: B-
Special teams: KU blocks field goal attempt
Kansas stepped up here in the first half, as Oklahoma State missed one field goal attempt and saw the one at the end of the second quarter blocked. Jayhawks kicker Laith Marjan remained perfect on the year, including hitting a 39-yard field goal. KU’s return game also saw wide receiver Emmanuel Henderson Jr. return a kickoff 56 yards.
Grade: A
Coaching: Kansas bounces back for victory
This didn’t start out looking like it’d end up as a definitive win as it ultimately became, but over time, Kansas pulled away from Oklahoma State. The Jayhawks just had to overcome a slow start defensively to do so. Kansas was aggressive offensively when it needed to be, and avoided having self-inflicted errors derail its effort in the way it had in the past two games.
Grade: A-
Overall grade: A-
Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He was the 2022 National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas football vs Oklahoma State grades: Jayhawks score Big 12 win
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