Another week, another one-score loss for the Kansas football team, which now has dropped three games in a row and sits at 1-3 overall and 0-1 in Big 12 play.
This one might’ve hurt the most given the fact that the Jayhawks led by double digits with less than 5 minutes to play and then watched as both the offense and defense failed to put it away.
As has been the case in all three of their frustrating losses so far this season, the Jayhawks did plenty of good things and were in position to win. They just didn’t close.
All of that and more will be celebrated in this week’s Monday Morning Wheaties.
You’ve seen the tomahawks on the back of the Florida State helmets, the buckeye tree leaves on the Ohio State helmets and the paw prints on the back of the Clemson helmets.
Each Monday, we take one last look back at the week that was and hand out different amounts of the iconic breakfast cereal to the Jayhawks’ top performers.
So, be sure to come get your Monday Morning Wheaties and feel free to hit up the comments section — subscribers only for now — with any players you feel we might’ve missed.
Picture on the box
• Senior tight end Jared Casey – Two catches for 25 yards doesn’t exactly make you think player of the game material, but Jared Casey had his handprints all over this game for the Kansas offense, which, until the final few minutes, actually had a pretty good day. For the first time all season, it looked like Casey was used in a way that capitalized on all of his strengths and abilities. He caught a couple of key passes but, more importantly, was dominant as a blocker, especially in the open field in extending plays for his teammates to pick up additional yardage. Not only did Casey’s performance aid the Kansas offense’s production, but he also helped set the tone in the second half in terms of his physicality and fire. Give a little credit to the KU coaching staff for scheming in a way to play to the multifaceted Casey’s strengths and give most of the credit to Casey himself for showing up and bringing it.
A full bowl
• Senior running back Devin Neal – This dude just continues to do everything he needs to and everything he can, racking up 100-yard week after 100-yard week, including another this week with 110 yards on 27 carries. If he could do more or if KU could play through him more, he no doubt would. And maybe that’s something to consider. You can’t hand it to him much more than 27 times, but can he be even more of a factor in the passing game, too? Whatever it takes, Neal will do it. And he’ll keep racking up 100-yard days in the process.
• Senior wide receiver Luke Grimm – Grimm was to West Virginia what WVU wideout Hudson Clement was to Kansas in this one. Said another way, the Mountaineers just couldn’t contain him. Six catches for 75 yards and a TD and another 55 yards and a touchdown on the ground, Grimm was his usual dynamic and reliable self in this one and appeared to have done plenty to help KU get the win. It didn’t happen, but Grimm is quietly having a great senior season even with the losses piling up early.
• Junior running back Daniel Hishaw Jr. – Back from a week off in the loss to UNLV, Hishaw averaged 8 yards per carry and finished with 72 yards total on just 9 carries. Like Neal, Hishaw will do whatever is asked and whatever the coaches need him to do. One thing I’d like to see more is the KU offense putting both him and Neal out there at the same time. The Jayhawks have to find a way to put some stress back on opposing defenses, and making them account for the presence of KU’s best two options on the ground at the same time could be something to consider.
Nighttime snack
• Senior linebacker JB Brown — His numbers (2 tackles, 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss, 1 pass break-up and 1 QB hurry) didn’t show the full scope of his impact, as Brown continues to play faster and hit harder than he did in Year 1 with the Jayhawks in 2023. A big reason for that has to be his familiarity with the defense and comfort at this level. KU’s going to need everything he can give them the rest of the way. Saturday was a step back for the defense but, all in all, that group had been pretty good through three games and three quarters.
• Freshman defensive end DJ Warner – The young and talented defender played well during the snaps he was in the game, showing, yet again, that he belongs at this level right away. He’s imposing when looking to come off the edge and athletic and fast enough to handle some coverage responsibilities. The more he can play, the quicker he’ll develop and the quicker he develops the better it’ll be for this defense both today and long term.
Drink the milk
• Senior tight end Trevor Kardell – Kardell deserves some love here for the catch he made that did not count. A one-handed snag with his fully-stretched-out right arm along the sideline just before the weather delay was reviewed and confirmed as incomplete. I still think he had at least part of his foot down and possession occurred as soon as the ball hit his hand and he squeezed the life out of it. Kardell finished the game with 1 catch for 9 yards and has shown up in spot moments throughout the season. But this was a massive effort and he probably should’ve been rewarded for it.
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