Kansas Jayhawks

Kansas Road Woes Continue with Loss at Memphis

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Kansas’s struggles on the road continued today, losing 43-7 to Memphis. The Jayhawks showed signs of life, but were doomed by six turnovers, penalties, and poor field position. We previously gave fans three things to watch for the Jayhawks to have a chance to defeat the Tigers. How did they do?

Can Kansas stop the run? It would be tough to not improve over last week’s dreadful performance, and the Jayhawks run defense did improve. They allowed 205 yards on 47 carries, for an average of 4.4 yards per carry. Kansas defenders did miss many more tackles than defensive coordinator Clint Bowen wants to see, but did improve markedly from last week. Lack of depth is still hurting the Jayhawk defense, as they wore out in the second half. Situational defense was very good for Kansas, holding Memphis to 3-14 on third down conversions. The defense was put in many bad situations by turnovers, including starting seven drives in their own territory, but held Memphis to 20 points in those drives. All in all, not a terrible day for the Kansas defense.

Sep 17, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Kansas Jayhawks quarterback Montell Cozart (2) fumbles the bal against Memphis Tigers defensive lineman Michael Edwards (95) during the first half at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

Which offense will show up? Today, the Jayhawk offense looked much more like they did in the first half against Ohio than against Rhode Island. They gained only 314 total yards, and converted only five of 16 third down opportunities. The quarterback competition didn’t gain any clarity either. Montell Cozart completed 13 of 22 attempts for only 87 yards, and two very poor interceptions. Ryan Willis was much better, going 9/13 for 80 yards. Based on those numbers, I still expect Cozart to start the next game at Texas Tech. The running game wasn’t any better, only gaining 121 yards on 31 carries, for a 3.9 yard average. Over half of the yardage came on a 66 yard touchdown run by Khalil Herbert.

Will the “little things” get corrected? In a word, no. The Jayhawks committed six turnovers, including a Montell Cozart interception returned for a touchdown. They persistently put the defense in impossible situations, leading to 20 Memphis points, and no momentum for the Jayhawks. Penalties were an issue as well. Kansas committed eight for 41 yards, including many that pinned the Jayhawks inside their own ten yard line. If the Jayhawks are to make up for talent and depth deficiencies, they must correct these things. Look for them to be much improved over the bye week.

What’s next? Kansas is off next week, before playing a rare Thursday night game in Lubbock, against Texas Tech.