Kansas’ Defense Deserves Credit Despite the Loss
Kansas left London with a 24-17 loss to Arizona State, but the Jayhawks’ defense showed plenty of positives during Saturday’s Big 12 opener at Wembley Stadium.
Despite the final score, Kansas held Arizona State to just 228 total yards, including only 95 passing yards. The Sun Devils averaged just 3.5 yards per play, while Kansas’ offense produced 414 total yards. The defensive performance gave the Jayhawks multiple opportunities to stay in the game, but the offense and special teams could not consistently capitalize.
One of the biggest positives was the pressure Kansas created against Arizona State quarterback Cutter Boley. Leroy Harris III and David Santiago each recorded a sack in the first half, while Harris also forced a fumble. Harris entered the game looking to make an impact and continued to show why he can be an important piece of Kansas’ defensive front.
The Jayhawks also did a good job limiting Arizona State’s passing game. Boley finished with just 95 passing yards, and Kansas consistently made the Sun Devils work for their yards. The defense forced Arizona State into several difficult downs and distances throughout the game.
Kansas was especially effective at creating stops when Arizona State needed to sustain drives. The Sun Devils finished just 4-for-17 on third down and 1-for-2 on fourth down. Those numbers show how often Kansas was able to get off the field when the defense needed to make a play.
However, the defense eventually found itself in difficult situations because of mistakes elsewhere. Arizona State scored after a Kansas fumble in the second half put the Sun Devils near the goal line. Boley then scored on a one-yard quarterback sneak to give Arizona State a 24-7 advantage.
Special teams also played a major role in the outcome. Arizona State’s Jaren Hamilton opened the second half with a 100-yard kickoff return touchdown, giving the Sun Devils momentum and extending their lead to 17-7. That score did not come from the defense, but it put additional pressure on a Kansas unit that had already spent much of the afternoon keeping Arizona State under control.
The defense continued competing late in the game, giving Kansas a chance to mount a comeback. Kansas cut the deficit to 24-17 with 3:51 remaining, but Arizona State was able to run out the clock and secure the victory.
For Kansas, the loss highlighted how much the defense can accomplish when it keeps opposing offenses uncomfortable. The Jayhawks now enter their open week at 1-2 before returning home to face Middle Tennessee on Oct. 3.
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Jimmy Adeniran is a contributor to JayhawksROUNDTABLE. He can be reached at [email protected]
