Jayhawk report: Kansas 24, Texas 21

Matthew Wyman kicks the game-winning field goal for Kansas during overtime Saturday in Lawrence. Orlin Wagner Associated Press

First quarter

The key: On Texas’ first play from scrimmage, Jacorey Warrick took a short pass, broke a tackle attempt from Kansas safety Fish Smithson, and ran 75 yards for a touchdown 11 seconds in.

Second quarter

The key: KU cornerback Brandon Stewart stepped in front of a pass and returned it 55 yards down the left sideline for a pick-six. That was part of a second quarter where KU’s defense forced four turnovers.

Third quarter

The key: With KU still competitive while trailing 14-10, receiver LaQuvionte Gonzalez lost a fumble after getting chased down from behind by Jeff McCullough. The Longhorns took advantage of the turnover with a subsequent touchdown.

Fourth quarter

The key: Following an inconsistent season, Matthew Wyman knocked through a 36-yard field goal in the final seconds to send the game to overtime. He’d later win it with a 25-yard attempt.

Report card

Offense: C. KU’s offense managed three combined points on its first 15 possessions before succeeding at the perfect time. The Jayhawks’ 10-play, 80-yard touchdown march in the middle of the fourth quarter was one of the best drives of the year, and the team also executed with 58 seconds left while moving 52 yards with no timeouts to set up the game-tying field goal.

Defense: A. The Jayhawks defense came out of a monthlong slump in a big way. KU’s defenders forced six turnovers, held their own in the run game, and came up with the key interception in overtime to help seal the win.

Special teams: B. KU was lucky that a LaQuvionte Gonzalez fumbled punt rolled out of bounds, but Wyman came through in the clutch and punter Cole Moos was solid as well.

Coaching: A. There were some repeat game-management errors, including the burning of a crucial timeout in the final three minutes on a fourth-down decision, but Beaty and defensive coordinator Clint Bowen deserve lots of credit for a solid gameplan and also for keeping their players motivated in a game where the stakes were higher for Texas.

Player of the game

KU’s Dorance Armstrong had 11 tackles — including three tackles-for-loss and two sacks — while also adding a forced fumble and fumble recovery.

Reason to hope

A win over a Big 12 opponent should be beneficial for the program moving forward, as a victory over Texas should make it much easier to get into homes when trying to recruit.

Reason to mope

Even though it didn’t end up mattering, KU’s offense had a lousy first three quarters. The team clearly lags behind the rest of the Big 12 on that side of the ball.

Looking ahead

The Jayhawks will end their season with an 11 a.m. game next Saturday at Kansas State.

Jesse Newell

This story was originally published November 19, 2016 at 8:19 PM with the headline "Jayhawk report: Kansas 24, Texas 21."