Kansas Football Gains Confidence After Dominant Win Over Middle Tennessee

Kansas football needed a response after dropping back-to-back games, and the Jayhawks delivered one of their most complete performances of the season Saturday.

Kansas dominated Middle Tennessee 55-0 at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, improving to 2-2 on the season and giving the team some momentum heading into the start of Big 12 play. For head coach Lance Leipold, the victory was about more than simply getting another win in the standings. It was an opportunity for his team to regain confidence after a difficult stretch.

“We needed it, no doubt,” Leipold said. “It’s good to get back on the winning track. The good thing about it is our football team has confidence coming out of this.” 

The Jayhawks entered the game coming off losses to Missouri and Arizona State. Despite showing flashes in both games, Kansas struggled to finish drives and gave opponents opportunities through turnovers and other mistakes. Against Middle Tennessee, those problems disappeared.

Kansas produced 700 yards of total offense, setting a new program single-game record. The Jayhawks also rushed for 473 yards while quarterback Isaiah Marshall and running back Dylan Edwards each surpassed 100 rushing yards. 

Edwards was especially impressive, rushing for 137 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries. It was his first 100-yard rushing performance since joining Kansas and provided the offense with the type of explosive performance it had been searching for.

Marshall also played an important role in the bounce-back effort. He finished with 161 passing yards and a touchdown while adding 110 yards on the ground. With the offense moving the ball consistently, Kansas was able to build a 20-0 halftime lead before pulling its starters for much of the second half.

The defense was just as impressive.

Kansas held Middle Tennessee to only 136 total yards and seven first downs. The performance marked the Jayhawks’ first shutout since 2008 and the fewest yards allowed during Leipold’s tenure at Kansas. 

Leipold said the confidence Kansas gained from the performance can carry over, but he also understands the challenge ahead. The Jayhawks now begin eight consecutive Big 12 games, starting with a difficult road matchup against No. 12 Utah on Oct. 10.

“We have to take that and keep going forward and just use that as fuel,” Marshall said following the win. 

That will be the biggest test of whether Saturday’s performance was simply a strong showing against Middle Tennessee or the beginning of a turnaround.

For more Kansas football coverage, visit JayhawkRoundtable.