Kansas football fell 42-17 to Kansas State on Saturday in the Dillons Sunflower Showdown at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. With the loss, Kansas dropped to 4-4 overall and 2-3 in Big 12 Conference play, while Kansas State improved to 4-4 (3-2 Big 12). 

During a cold and rainy day in Lawrence, the Jayhawks' losing streak against the Wildcasts was extended to 17 straight. Head coach Lance Leipold addressed the rivalry, calling the loss a ‘major step backward.’

“Yeah, major step backward,” Leipold said post-game. “Definitely a major step backward in that. And we have to own that. We’re thoroughly outplayed. They executed better than us. They were more physical than us, and that’s very disappointing”. 

The Jayhawks couldn’t have asked for a better start. Kansas recovered a fumble on the opening kickoff, capitalizing with a five-play, 27-yard drive capped by a six-yard touchdown run from Daniels, who extended over the goal line to take a 7-0 lead just 2:10 into the game. 

The Wildcats quickly answered, however, scoring 21 straight points in the first quarter. They marched 82 yards in seven plays for a touchdown, then recovered a botched punt snap and returned it 20 yards for another score. A 27-yard touchdown pass later in the quarter extended their lead to 21-7.

Kansas cut into the deficit before halftime with an 18-play, 85-yard drive, its longest of the season, capped by a two-yard touchdown run from Daniel Hishaw to make it 21-14 at the break. This was the highlight of the Jayhawks’ offensive performance. Daniels and the offense never got going in the second half. 

“I don’t think we ever fully got in rhythm,” Leipold said. “I think some of the early pressures probably put Jalen a little bit to hurry things. Yeah, it just never looked very in sync whatsoever, as we have been before.”

Opening the second half, Kansas State turned a Daniels interception into a one-yard touchdown run to go up 28-14. Kansas responded with a 12-play drive ending in a 47-yard Laith Marjan field goal to make it 28-17, but Kansas State wasted no time and struck back immediately. Wildcat quarterback Avery Johnson found Jayce Brown for a 78-yard score and the ultimate nail in the coffin. 

The Wildcats sealed the win late in the fourth, turning a Kansas turnover on downs into a three-yard touchdown run with just over four minutes remaining, setting the final score at 42-17.

Kansas returns home next Saturday, Nov. 1, for its Homecoming matchup against Oklahoma State. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. CT.