Jayhawk Report

First quarter

Key play: KU QB Jordan Webb hit Daymond Patterson for a 25-yard touchdown to give KU a 7-0 lead.

Key stat: James Sims carried four times for 40 yards to set the tone for KU.

Second quarter

Key play: KU freshman RB Tony Pierson scampered 47 yards to set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Sims to give KU a 14-3 lead.

Key stat: Kansas held McNeese State to 26 rushing yards in the first half.

Third quarter

Key play: Webb underthrew a pass to a wide-open Kale Pick, but freshman WR JaCorey Shepherd came to the rescue, snagging it and taking it all the way for a 56-yard touchdown for a give KU a 28-10 lead.

Key stat: The Cowboys passed for 111 yards in the quarter.

Fourth quarter

Key play: Shepherd put the game away with a 48-yard touchdown catch to give the Jayhawks a 42-24 lead.

Key stat: Kansas ran the ball 55 times and threw it just 10 times.

Report card

Offense: A. The Jayhawks did not turn the ball over and owned McNeese State up front. Yes, the Cowboys are from a lower-division. But that's what a big guy is supposed to do to a little guy.

Defense: C. Kansas didn't force a turnover and allowed 420 yards, mostly because the Jayhawks struggled to defend an array of screen plays. Still, it was progress that KU had three sacks and 10 tackles for loss.

Special teams: B. Not much happened on special teams. Freshman Alex Mueller made all of his extra points. KU struggled a bit in kickoff coverage, giving up an average of 25 yards.

Coaching: A. After last season, the Jayhawks just needed to look like a team that had been coached this offseason. Mission accomplished.

Player of the game

KU freshman WR JaCorey Shepherd had three catches for 107 yards and two touchdowns in his collegiate debut.

Reason to hope

That's the beauty of 1-0. The Jayhawks have every reason to hope that this can be a bowl season.

Reason to mope

KU's defense looked faster than last season's but still struggled mightily. Consider it a work in progress.

Looking ahead

The Jayhawks take on Northern Illinois, which is one of the best teams in the Mid-American Conference.

Quote

"We want to run the ball. We want ot get knockdowns. Everybody on the offensive line, the wide receivers, tight ends, every play we want to get somebody on their back."

—KU tight end Tim Biere

This story was originally published September 4, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Jayhawk Report."