Jayhawk game report | Wichita Eagle

First quarter

Key play: Kansas started the game with a woeful drive, and Texas took advantage by marching 43 yards, capped by a 3-yard TD plunge by Joe Bergeron.

Key stat: Texas rushed for 51 yards in eight carries during the quarter.

Second quarter

Key play: On KU’s first drive, James Sims broke free for a 64-yard run — and a horse-collar penalty added on yardage. Moments later, Christian Matthews raced into the end zone on a 15-yard run that tied the score 7-7.

Key stat: Kansas entered the locker room with its first lead over Texas since the Jayhawks lost a fourth-quarter advantage against the Longhorns in 2004.

Third quarter

Key play: KU linebackers Ben Heeney and Huldon Tharp combined on a goal-line stand with 8:57 left, keeping KU’s lead at 14-7.

Key stat: Zero. KU quarterback Michael Cummings’ pass attempts in the quarter.

Fourth quarter

Key play: Texas’ Case McCoy hit Mike Davis for a 39-yard completion on a wheel route down the sideline, setting up Texas’ game-winning score.

Key stat: Three. Blown fourth-quarter leads by KU this season.

Report card

Offense: B-. The KU rushing attack continues to solidify itself as the best part of Charlie Weis’ debut season. But when Texas dialed up the exotic blitzes, Weis didn’t feel comfortable with Cummings throwing.

Defense: A. If you want consistency, this KU defense isn’t for you. But after getting blitzed for 52 points at Oklahoma, the Jayhawks returned home and held down a Texas team that was averaging 44.4 points.

Special teams: B. There were still bobbles, but Nick Prolago was almost a hero after a late field goal, and KU’s coverage unit didn’t have any major breakdowns.

Coaching: B. Weis had a plan to take down Texas — and it nearly worked. In the big picture, however, KU is still in danger of finishing 1-11.

Player of the game

Case McCoy. Texas’ backup quarterback came off the bench and was an unlikely savior.

Reason to hope

Kansas has not beaten Texas since 1938 and almost did on Saturday. That should make KU fans feel a little better about the direction of the program.

Reason to mope

Texas’ defense had given up at least 48 points in each of its last three Big 12 games. Forget the Texas brand for a second, and this may have been KU’s best remaining chance for a win.