Kansas Rolls Past West Virginia to Keep Bowl Hopes Alive

After back-to-back losses to TCU and UCF, Kansas produced its strongest performance of the season, beating West Virginia 37-14. The Jayhawks built a lead and kept the Mountaineers from mounting a comeback, earning a second consecutive win over West Virginia. Kansas improved to 4-6, while its bowl hopes remain alive with two games left.

Quarterback Isaiah Marshall led Kansas on the ground, running 18 times for 164 yards and a touchdown. His longest run was a 50-yard keeper. The Jayhawks’ defense also had a major impact: after allowing an early touchdown, it held West Virginia scoreless until late in the fourth quarter and limited the Mountaineers to 262 total yards.

Kansas’ defensive front pressured West Virginia’s quarterbacks and disrupted its running game. Leroy Harris III recorded six solo tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack. Dak Brinkley added a sack. West Virginia’s Michael Hawkins Jr. and running back Cam Cook struggled against the Jayhawks’ front seven.

Kansas running back Dylan Edwards left with an ankle injury on the opening drive. Khi Cummings-Coleman stepped in and ran for 56 yards on 15 carries, scoring twice in the first half. He had also been moved from defensive back to running back and, after a fumble the previous week, protected the ball in this game.

To qualify for a bowl, Kansas must win its remaining games against BYU and Oklahoma State, both described as top-25 opponents. The Jayhawks will look to carry their response to the recent losses into those matchups.