Kansas opened its season the right way on Friday night, rolling past Long Island University 51-6 and backing up the scoreboard with a performance that showed up in the numbers, too.
The Jayhawks piled up 613 yards of offense, including 336 through the air and 277 on the ground. That was the second-highest total by a Kansas team under Lance Leipold in his six seasons as head coach. On the other side of the ball, KU held LIU to just 146 total yards, the second-fewest the Jayhawks have allowed during Leipold’s time in Lawrence.
After the game, Pro Football Focus released its top grades for Kansas players who logged at least 15 snaps, and the top spot belonged to wide receiver Nik McMillan. The Buffalo transfer posted a 96.1 grade after catching six passes for 130 yards and a touchdown. He looked exactly like the kind of No. 1 option Kansas was hoping to get when he committed in January.
Defensive end David Santiago wasn’t far behind. He earned a 94.9 grade after finishing with four tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and a forced fumble that he also recovered from LIU running back Sean Slade late in the third quarter.
The highest-graded quarterback on the KU side was actually backup Cole Ballard, who finished with an 86.1 grade. Ballard threw for 90 yards on six attempts and added 14 rushing yards on one carry.
Center Kasen Carpenter checked in next at 84.9. The Oklahoma State transfer is expected to be one of Kansas’ key offensive line pieces this season, and he got his year off to a strong start.
Isaiah Marshall also turned in a strong debut as a starter. He went 14-of-19 for 246 yards and two touchdowns while adding 49 rushing yards on seven carries, good for an 83.3 PFF grade.
Bryson Hayes rounded out the group of highest-graded Jayhawks, coming in at 83.0.
In Other News...
Kansas Suddenly Has A Defensive Worry Heading Into Missouri
Kansas suddenly has a defensive question mark to sort through as it turns its attention from LIU to Missouri. Linebacker Bam Crouch was injured in the first half and did not return, leaving a noticeable hole in a spot that matters even more with a rivalry game looming on the schedule.
Head coach Lance Leipold said the staff still does not know the exact severity of the shoulder-area issue, and Crouch is set to undergo further testing. For Kansas, the timing is less than ideal, because the Jayhawks are now waiting on one of the key details that could shape how they line up when Missouri arrives. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas Showed Promise But Missouri Will Test What Still Looks Shaky
Kansas looked the part in its latest outing, piling up 613 yards while holding LIU to 146 and staying efficient enough to convert eight of 13 third downs without punting. The offense finished every red zone trip, but the larger takeaway was that the game still had a sluggish feel at the start, with only six first-quarter points and an opening drive that ended on downs instead of setting an early tone.
Missouri brings a different level of stress in the Border War, and that is where the lingering concerns around Kansas become harder to ignore. The Jayhawks still need cleaner quarterback play, more reliability at linebacker and tighter coverage on the back end, and the defense's depth took another hit when Bam Crouch went out with a shoulder injury, leaving his status for Saturday uncertain. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas Has A Defensive End Decision Taking Shape Before The Opener
Kansas defensive end picture is coming into focus as the 2026 season opener approaches, with defensive coordinator D.K. McDonald and Lance Leipold both weighing in on how the edge rotation is taking shape. The staff has been sorting through options at the stud spot, and David Santiago has emerged as a notable piece after arriving from Michigan State, with his background also including time at Air Force.
Santiagos value goes beyond simply filling a spot in the lineup. Kansas has been drawn to his versatility and the leadership he brings to the room, and he has moved into the second defensive end role at stud behind the top option. The expectation is that he and Alex Bray will share those reps evenly, which gives the Jayhawks a clearer path at a position that can shape the tone of the defense early in the year. [Read more 🡒]