Kansas left its opener with numbers that looked almost absurd: 613 total yards, eight third-down conversions in 13 tries, touchdowns on all eight red-zone trips and not a single punt against LIU. Even so, the Jayhawks head into Friday’s Border War knowing the Missouri game will demand more than a lopsided box score.
The biggest fix is getting the offense rolling sooner. Kansas managed only six points in the first quarter and opened the day by turning the ball over on downs. The rhythm eventually came, and it came hard - 24 points in the second quarter - but the slow beginning is the kind of thing that can put a team in a hole against a tougher opponent.
Isaiah Marshall gave Kansas a strong first start. He went 14-of-19 for 246 yards and two touchdowns and added 49 yards on the ground. But there was also an early throw that could have been intercepted, the sort of mistake Kansas can’t afford if Missouri turns chances into points.
The run game was another bright spot that still has to hold up under a bigger test. The Jayhawks piled up 277 rushing yards, with Yasin Willis leading the way with 72 yards and two touchdowns. Missouri figures to make things harder at the line of scrimmage, which puts more pressure on the offensive line and the backs to stay steady.
There are also questions on defense, especially at linebacker. Bam Crouch left the opener with a shoulder injury, and his status for Missouri is still uncertain. That matters because his experience was supposed to help a defense replacing several familiar faces.
Kansas also has to know that what worked in the secondary against LIU may not be enough now. The Jayhawks held the Sharks to 111 passing yards, but LIU also missed several chances on throws to open receivers. Missouri is not likely to be so generous.
And then there’s the stage itself. The Border War carries weight, and Kansas has fresh memory of Missouri’s 42-31 win last season. The Tigers arrive in Lawrence at 1-0 after beating Arkansas-Pine Bluff 54-14.
Kansas has enough talent to win Friday night, but the Jayhawks need a quicker offensive start, clean quarterback play, dependable linebacker production and tighter coverage on the back end.
The opener showed what Kansas can do. Missouri will show how close the Jayhawks are to turning that potential into something bigger.
The game is set for 7 p.m. CT Friday at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.
In Other News...
Kansas Blowout Put These Jayhawks On Notice Right Away
Kansas wasted no time making its season opener look like a mismatch, rolling past Long Island University 51-6 while piling up 613 total yards and holding the Sharks to 146. The lopsided result was the kind of start that can set a tone fast, and the grading from Pro Football Focus backed up what the score already suggested: this was a sharp night across the roster, with wide receiver Nik McMillan, defensive end David Santiago and backup quarterback Cole Ballard all drawing especially strong marks.
McMillans work stood out most, giving the Jayhawks a big-play presence early and a player to build around as the schedule tightens. Ballards grade also added another layer to the conversation behind center, since Kansas got more than just a comfortable win out of the opener - it got a clearer sense of which players flashed immediately and who is already forcing attention in a few key spots. [Read more 🡒]
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 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 🡒]