This year’s Sunflower Showdown is an instant classic. Don’t let the record fool you, KU is a very good football team. With one exception, every loss on the Jayhawks season is a one score difference. The Wildcats knew coming in that after fifteen years of dominance, this Saturday night showdown was a trap game.
Trap Game
KU sprung their trap on the opening drive. They executed a punishing, clock burning 13 play touchdown drive, culminating in a 38-yard explosive run by Sevion Morrison. Wildcat fans eyes were opened. Their eyes widened after the Wildcats were forced to punt on their opening offensive possession.
Tonight’s game required all three phases of the game to achieve victory. KU’s defense held the Wildcats scoreless in the first quarter. However, Kansas State finally answered with 16 unanswered points to open the second quarter.
The Wildcats first score occured on a traditional drive ending with a 24 yard touchdown pass from Avery Johnson to Will Anciaux. Then, the Wildcat special teams put the returner in conflict by angling the kickoff in such a way that the returner was forced to make a tough decision, catch it or let it go. He chose poorly, and the Jayhawks started on their own 1 INCH line. The very next play was a safety.
The Wildcats received the ball on their own 41. They proceeded to march down the field and eight plays later they were in the endzone again on another Avery Johnson jump pass to Will Oakley.
Down 16 to 7, KU was still in the fight. They executed an eight-play drive of their own to bring the score to 16 to 14.
Kansas State started the second half right by scoring in four plays. They scored so quickly because DJ Giddens ripped off a 54-yard run on the second play of the half.
KU drove the field in ten plays to score another touchdown. Unfortunately, special teams’ woes hit KU in the gut again as their kicker missed the extra point. The teams were separated by a three-point margin.
The Wildcats were another scoring drive when Avery Johnson fumbled the ball on KU’s 21-yard line. Suddenly the Jayhawks had the initiative. Yet, they failed to score off the turnover. Kansas State was forced to punt again on the next possession.
KU took the lead on their next drive. They started the drive with a 42-yard pass play from Jalon Daniels to Luke Grimm. Two plays later the Jayhawks were in the endzone. Kansas State knew they were in trouble. All they could manage on their next possession was a field goal, leaving the Jayhawks with a one-point lead.
Both squads traded two punts. Then, three plays into the Jayhawks next drive, Wildcat linebacker Austin Romaine punched the ball out of Daniels hands as he was running. Brendan Mott recovered, and the Wildcats were in business in Jayhawk territory.
The Jayhawks defense remained stingy. They held the Wildcats to a field goal and the Wildcat lead was a mere two points. The game came down to a fourth and seven with one minute to go.
The Wildcats had steadily been amping up the pressure as the game wound down. On KU’s last drive, the Wildcats were sending someone every down. Daniels eluded two potentially massive sacks during this drive. However, on the fourth and seven, Daniels was brought down before the line of scrimmage.
Give Daniels His Due
This game was a seesaw. It was the Wildcats young Avery Johnson versus an immensely talented Jalon Daniels who has been steadily recovering from injury.
Daniels makes the Jayhawks offense go. When he is healthy, the Jayhawks offense is very effective. He has no problem pulling the ball down and running and will even execute designed runs. He has a good receiving corps, and when given time, he can deliver strikes. Unfortunately, his receivers let him down a few plays and that may have been the difference in the game.
Avery Johnson’s Ups and Downs
Avery Johnson had an up and down game. KU put a lot of pressure on him, sacking him twice. One those sacks was late in the game and could have been avoided. On Kansas State’s second to last possession Johnson dropped back on a second down-play, and instead of stepping up in the pocket and throwing, he tried to exit out of the back of the pocket and was promptly brought down.
Avery Johnson must learn how to feel the blitz. During the Wildcats last drive, it was third and eight. The Jayhawks sent a free defensive back blitzer from the wide side of the field who lit up Johnson’s world as he released the ball. He didn’t see him. As a quarterback, he needs to diagnose that blitz and then throw into it. He missed it and I am sure it will be a topic of conversation with him and Coach Klieman during their weekly visit.
Though Johnson has areas to improve in, he did throw for 253 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 67 yards and a touchdown. He connected with nine players on pass plays. He would have thrown three touchdown passes if Will Anciaux would have brought the ball down in the end-zone on a third and eight play in the third quarter. KSU was down 23-27 and was forced to settle for a field goal.
Nifty play calling and a strong run game help balance out Avery Johnson as he continues to grow in the role. DJ Giddens put up another 100 yard rushing down, while Dylan Edwards complimented with another 60 yards. As long as the KSU offense remains balanced, they will be hard to stop.
Defensive Grades
The defense played with their customary nastiness, delivering big hits and pressuring the quarterback. However, the Jayhawks were able to exploit the Wildcats zone defense, and their change up run game gashed the Wildcats for a season high of 192 yards. The Wildcats only allow an average of 83 yards rushing a game. KU blew that out of the water.
Both squads are on the right track. The difference in the game was special teams, field position and turnovers. The Wildcats held the slight edge in those areas and won the game by two. Kansas State’s streak stays alive.
