Lawrence, KS— The Kansas Jayhawks delivered a stunning upset over the No. 6-ranked BYU Cougars, claiming a 38-31 victory in a thrilling Big 12 clash. Playing in front of a packed house at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, the Jayhawks outlasted BYU in a game that saw explosive offensive plays and key defensive stops.
Jake Retzlaff Shines but Falls Short
BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff put up a valiant effort, throwing for 297 yards and three touchdowns, adding another score on the ground. Despite his heroics, the Cougars struggled to capitalize on key opportunities, particularly in the fourth quarter when Kansas’ defense stiffened.
For Kansas, quarterback Jalon Daniels returned to form, passing for 285 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for an additional score. Running back Devin Neal dominated on the ground, racking up 128 yards and a touchdown to lead the Jayhawks’ balanced attack.
Key Moments
- First Quarter Explosion: Kansas jumped to an early lead with a 65-yard touchdown reception by wide receiver Lawrence Arnold, setting the tone for the Jayhawks’ aggressive offense.
- BYU’s Second-Half Push: Trailing 31-21 at halftime, BYU scored 10 unanswered points in the third quarter, tying the game at 31-31 heading into the final period.
- Game-Winning Drive: Kansas orchestrated a 12-play, 78-yard drive capped by Neal’s 10-yard touchdown run with just under two minutes remaining. BYU’s final drive ended on a failed fourth-down conversion, sealing the upset for Kansas.
Coaches React
- Lance Leipold, Kansas Head Coach: “This is a signature win for our program. BYU is a fantastic team, but our players believed and executed when it mattered most.”
- Kalani Sitake, BYU Head Coach: “We had chances to take control, but we didn’t finish the way we needed to. Credit to Kansas—they played a complete game.”
Statistical Highlights
- Total Yards: Kansas 462, BYU 436
- Turnovers: BYU 2, Kansas 1
- Key Players:
- BYU: Jake Retzlaff (297 passing yards, 4 total TDs), Chase Roberts (8 receptions, 108 yards, 1 TD)
- Kansas: Jalon Daniels (285 passing yards, 3 total TDs), Devin Neal (128 rushing yards, 1 TD)
What’s Next?
- BYU Cougars: The Cougars, now 9-2, will look to regroup as they face Iowa State in their final regular-season game with New Year’s Six bowl implications on the line.
- Kansas Jayhawks: Kansas, improving to 7-4, has a chance to secure a strong bowl game invitation with a win next week against Kansas State in the Sunflower Showdown.
Where to Watch Replays
Replays are available on ESPN+ and highlights can be seen on Fox Sports and Big 12 Now.
Kansas’ upset victory over BYU underscores the unpredictable nature of college football, adding a significant chapter to this season’s Big 12 race.