KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The ball was there for the taking and so was the game. All the Kansas Jayhawks had to do was pick it up or fall on it.
Midway through the fourth quarter, KU defensive lineman Jereme Robinson knocked the ball away from UNLV quarterback Matthew Sluka. Three Jayhawks couldn’t corral it, and the ball ended up in the hands of UNLV running back Kylin James.
KU was up four at that moment, but by the drive’s end, James had scored on a short run, and the Jayhawks lost 23-20 Friday at Children’s Mercy Park. UNLV’s final drive chewed up more than nine minutes of clock, running 14 plays — all on the ground.
“We’re extremely disappointed,” KU coach Lance Leipold said. “The margin for error of college football teams if you don’t play well is very difficult. You got to get off the field somehow. There’s plenty to look at and correct. But like I said, start with myself.”
KU (1-2) had nine penalties and two interceptions by quarterback Jalon Daniels, which proved to be too much, despite leading 14-6 in the first half on a heavy dose of Devin Neal (23 carries for 120 yards) and a pair of Daniels touchdown runs. But his interception late in the first half turned the tide, and after a big return, UNLV (3-0) scored two plays later, marking the second week in a row a Daniels’ interception late in the half turned into points for KU’s opponent.
Sluka threw for just 86 yards but had 113 yards rushing. Daniels, meanwhile, was 12 of 24 for 153 yards and two picks and rushed for 65 yards and two scores.
Daniels has six picks on the season, and Leipold admitted his quarterback’s confidence has been shaken a bit.
“We’ve got to find a way to get some throws again and do some things that are back in his wheelhouse,” Leipold said.
While Daniels ran the ball effectively, Leipold admitted his passes were often low and off target. However, he expects Daniels to bounce back, and Daniels expects to as well.
“It doesn’t matter what negative happens, it doesn’t matter what positive happens,” Daniels said. “I’m going to come in with the same smile every single day. That’s just who I am. I feel like I’m the ultimate competitor. And at the end of the day — win or loss — I’m going to keep going in and try to win the next game.”
