Longhorns one win shy of bowl eligibility after beating Jayhawks
The Texas Longhorns avenged last year’s stunning loss in Lawrence, Kansas, defeating the Kansas Jayhawks 42-27 in front of an official crowd of 96,557 at Darrell K. Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
Kansas won the coin toss and deferred possession to the second half. The Jayhawks opened the game with an onside kick that was recovered by John Burt at the Texas 49-yard line. On the first play from scrimmage, quarterback Shane Buechele hit Lorenzo Joe in stride for a 49-yard touchdown reception to put the first points of the game on the scoreboard.
Senior defensive back Antwaun Davis had a career night for the Longhorns, intercepting Kansas starting quarterback Carter Stanley twice. Davis’ first interception would come at the 8:05 mark in the first quarter, which he returned for a touchdown, extending the Texas lead to 14-0 early on.
Kansas would answer with a score of their own on Carter Stanley’s 5-yard pass to wideout Steven Sims. On the next possession Texas would employ a steady dose of Daniel Young rushes which would set up freshman Toniel Carter’s 23-yard touchdown run. The Longhorns led 21-7 at the 3:42 mark in the first quarter.
Jason Hall’s interception on the following Kansas drive setup the Longhorns at the Jayhawk 9-yard line. Sam Ehlinger would enter the game at quarterback and would cap a 3-play drive with a touchdown pass to tight end Cade Brewer.
After one quarter of play, Texas held a 28-7 lead over Kansas.
Earl Bostic’s 8-yard touchdown reception and Gabriel Rui’s 36-yard field goal would constitute the first scores of the 2nd quarter, both for the Jayhawks, slicing the Longhorns’ lead to 28-17.
The field goal woes for the Longhorns continued with Mitchell Becker, who replaced struggling placekicker Josh Rowland, failing to connect from 44-yards out on the ensuing Texas drive.
Antwaun Davis would add to his resume on the night, recovering a muffed Steven Sims punt at the Kansas 22-yard line at the 8:14 mark. Lil’Jordan Humphrey entered the game at quarterback, taking consecutive snaps out of the Wildcat. The second snap was taken in for a 1-yard touchdown.
Texas led Kansas 35-17 at halftime.
Jayhawk kicker Gabriel Rui would add the first and only points of the third quarter, making good on a 32-yard field goal with 5:11 left.
Chris Warren III recorded his first touchdown run in four games, barreling in from a yard out at the 5:34 mark.
Kansas added a late touchdown on Carter Stanley’s 18 yard pass to Chase Harrell with :11 left in the game. The Longhorns would recover the onside kick and take a knee, ending the game with a 42-27 win.
Head Coach Tom Herman knew the win wouldn’t come easy, acknowledging the work his players put in.
“Winning college football games is difficult, and especially with where we’re at as a program. These guys, we knew that there was going to be adversity throughout the game and that it wasn’t going to be easy.”
The Longhorns move to 5-5 on the season and need one more win to become bowl eligible. Texas will play West Virginia next Saturday in Morgantown before finishing the regular season with a home game against Texas Tech the day after Thanksgiving.
Game Notes
- Senior DB Antwaun Davis recorded two interceptions on the night, one for a touchdown.
- Jason Hall registered his first interception of the season and third of his career at Texas.
- Shane Buechele finished 22-32 for 249 yards and a touchdown and an interception.
- Daniel Young led the Longhorns in rushing, with 67 yards on 21 carries.
- DeShon Elliott, Davante Davis and Malik Jefferson led the team in tackles with 7 each.
- Texas held Kansas to 96 rushing yards which marks the 5th game this season in which they have held an opponent to under 100 yards rushing.
- Lorenzo Joe led the Texas receiving corp. with 5 catches for 98 yards.
- Sm Ehlinger saw limited playing time tonight, finishing 2-2 for 9 yards and one touchdown.
Game Stats
https://hornsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/txkustats17dkr.jpg
