TCU football: 3 takeaways from blowout win vs. Kansas in Week 5

FORT WORTH, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 28: Wide receiver Jalen Reagor #1 and John Stephens Jr. #7 of the TCU Horned Frogs celebrate a first quarter touchdown against the Kansas Jayhawks at Amon G. Carter Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
FORT WORTH, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 28: Wide receiver Jalen Reagor #1 and John Stephens Jr. #7 of the TCU Horned Frogs celebrate a first quarter touchdown against the Kansas Jayhawks at Amon G. Carter Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images) /
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LAWRENCE, KANSAS – SEPTEMBER 21: Head coach Les Miles of the Kansas Jayhawks watches his team play against the West Virginia Mountaineers second quarter at Memorial Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
LAWRENCE, KANSAS – SEPTEMBER 21: Head coach Les Miles of the Kansas Jayhawks watches his team play against the West Virginia Mountaineers second quarter at Memorial Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /

3. TCU broke Kansas’ spirit early

After a near-win against West Virginia a week ago, the Kansas Jayhawks reverted back to who they’ve been for the past decade — a sorry football team. They were without leading rusher Khalil Herbert, who was a late scratch due to personal reasons that sound like a transfer is coming, but they were outmatched even if he did suit up.

MORE KU: Can Les Miles turn the Jayhawks’ program around?

Starting the season 2-2 was great, but Kansas surrendered 38 first half points to the Horned Frogs, a team that’s averaged 37.0 per game in 2019. And they came in just about every way imaginable from a plethora of players, too: two scores came through both the air and on the ground, while the electrifying Jalen Reagor added a 73-yard punt return touchdown. They even pulled out a double-reverse in the second quarter.

Where was Dorothy to click her heels and send the Jayhawks back to Lawrence? As you know, there’s no place like home. Kansas couldn’t get out of Fort Worth fast enough, and it showed in their production. They managed nearly 200, but plenty came when the game was solidly in hand; quite the effort from Gary Patterson’s defense.