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Kansas Football: 3 takeaways from rollover win over BYU

By Ryan Van Dever

Sep 23, 2023; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks wide receiver Luke Grimm (11) celebrates with running back Devin Neal (4) after scoring a touchdown during the second half against the Brigham Young Cougars at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 23, 2023; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks wide receiver Luke Grimm (11) celebrates with running back Devin Neal (4) after scoring a touchdown during the second half against the Brigham Young Cougars at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /
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You could imagine what the excitement level was like as Byu stepped onto the field; this would be their first of many Big 12 games as one of the conference’s newest members. Expectations are high as the team prepares for this high-level football game with conference foes Kansas Jayhawks.

The Jayhawks didn’t score on their first offensive drive; their defense stepped up. On the second play of the first possession for BYU, cornerback Cobee Bryant forced a fumble, recovered it, and then took it back 22 yards for a touchdown. It was a play that swung the momentum in the first quarter.

It was a back-and-forth first half as both teams tried to jockey into position for control. After the first quarter, KU was shut out in the second quarter; BYU made it challenging to find any running lanes and was getting methodical pressure on Jalon Daniels, preventing the KU offense from being able to get into any rhythm.

BYU scored on three drives, two touchdowns, and one field goal right before the end of the half. If it hadn’t been for the fumble miscue on offense, they would have led by double digits at half.
The Jayhawks were scoring at will in the third quarter. Scoring two touchdowns, and BYU was struggling to hold onto the ball Kedon Slovis threw a pick-six and another interception on top of that. Turnovers have been an issue for them in this game.

BYU starts their drive down 28-20 with 4:57 left in the third. Kedon Slovis threw a strike to Keelan Marion for 37 yards to the KU 37, then the drive fell flat, ending with an interception to Cobee Bryant on a 4th-and-7. You can feel the momentum swinging in KU’s favor.

BYU couldn’t come up with a defensive stop when they needed one to keep the game within reach, as KU just ran all over them this drive and picked them apart, resulting in a touchdown pass of 13 yards from Jalon Daniels to Luke Grimm, giving KU the 35-27 lead.

Kansas put the game on ice with a 12-play, 69-yard drive, resulting in a Seth Keller 23-yard field goal.

This game came down to the quarterback play, as we all knew it would. Jalon Daniels and the Jayhawks had zero turnovers, while the BYU Cougars threw interceptions (one pick-six) and a fumble that was returned for a touchdown.

Next, we dive into the offensive and defensive takeaways and see what’s up next for both teams.

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