The Kansas Jayhawks are looking to rebound after one of their most disappointing losses in recent memory. Yes, there have been worse (much, much worse) losses in that time. However, factoring in the hype and expectations of this team, the loss last week to Illinois stung more than nearly every other loss in the past decade. However, they have a chance to right the ship on Friday night against UNLV.
Kansas Jayhawks vs. UNLV Rebels Game History
Kansas and UNLV have matched up just three times in the past. However, one of those matchups was just nine months ago in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl, where the Jayhawks won 49-36 in a high-scoring affair.
It was a roller coaster of a game, as Kansas had an 18-point halftime lead that dwindled down to just four points by the end of the third quarter. After the teams traded scores to start the quarter, then-quarterback Jason Bean connected on two deep touchdowns to build the lead up to 19 points. UNLV would add one more touchdown to the board, but Kansas was able to hold on for the victory. The other two matchups came in 2002 and 2003, with each team winning their respective home game.
Key Players for the Jayhawks
For the Jayhawks, there may very well be a massive dose of Devin Neal in the gameplan. Jeff Grimes was under heavy fire after the Illinois game, mainly due to Neal touching the ball just two times in the fourth quarter after averaging more than seven yards per carry prior to that point.
The Jayhawks faced three short-yardage situations in the fourth quarter. Instead of buckling down with Neal, Grimes chose to push the ball downfield on all three instances. Don’t be surprised if Neal is featured early and often on Friday night, which will also help open up the field for Jalon Daniels and the pass game.
Key Players for the Rebels
UNLV is coming off a 72-14 thrashing against Utah Tech. The game was basically over after the first quarter (28-7), and it didn’t get any better for Tech by halftime (44-7). The Rebels had seven players gain 30 or more yards on the ground, led by Greg Burrell (101 yards) and Hajj-Malik Williams (88 yards).
Perhaps a more telling display of their offense came in Week 1 against the Houston Cougars. Even though they were in control for a majority of the game, quarterback Matthew Sluka managed just 71 yards through the air. His 59 yards on the ground make him a dynamic dual-threat, however. If I’m the Jayhawks, I am keying on the run and making Sluka beat them with his arm.
Keys to the Game for the Kansas Jayhawks
The key matchup for the Jayhawks defense could very well be Sluka’s legs against the linebackers and safeties. Those players have proven that they can fly around the field, which could play a huge role in slowing the Rebel offense.
Cornell Wheeler is leading the team in tackles, with Marvin Grant right behind him. If the front seven can contain Sluka and the rest of the rushing attack, the secondary will be much more comfortable defending the passing game.
Offensively, it is a bit of the same recipe. UNLV has allowed just 105 rushing yards total through their first two games. Granted, they had big leads fairly quickly in both games, but that is still incredibly impressive.
If the Rebels can slow down Neal and Daniel Hishaw, that will put pressure on Daniels. And that could go one of two ways for the Jayhawks.
Daniels could falter like he did last week, trying to do too much and turning the ball over. Or he could rise to the challenge and show why he had so much hype coming into both this season and last.
The winner of this game is the team that can limit the opposing rush attack and force the other team to beat them through the air.
