Big 12 Football: Week 1 Winners and Losers
By Joshua Lea
Sep 5, 2015; Lawrence, KS, USA; South Dakota State Jackrabbits running back Isaac Wallace (35) carries the ball against Kansas Jayhawks cornerback Tyrone Miller Jr. (19) in the second half at Memorial Stadium. South Dakota State won the game 41-38. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
Loser: Kansas Jayhawks
It’s not as if Kansas was going to be a good team. It’s not like Kansas was going to compete for the Big 12 title. They weren’t; but, they should have won this game against South Dakota State. But instead a fumble by the quarterback cost the Jayhawks a tough 41-38 loss at the hands of South Dakota State.
Kansas was driving in South Dakota State territory with less than 10 seconds left in the game when they fumbled a snap that could have set up a game-tying field goal. After a 20-yard pass to Derrick Neal to the Jackrabbits’ 33-yard line, Jayhawks quarterback Montell Cozart fumbled the snap while trying to spike the ball with two seconds left. So, rather than stop the clock and set up for a field goal, Kansas had to line up to spike the ball again, and time ran out. Wow, just an awful series of events.
This type of mistake can stay with a player for the remainder of his career. You have to feel bad for Cozart. The element to keep an eye on is if he can bounce back from this mistake next week when KU takes on Memphis.
Next: Loser: Kansas State Marching Band