Highlights, key plays and photos from BYU’s Big 12 opening loss to Kansas
Kansas pulled away in the second half behind Jalon Daniels and a dominant rushing attack to beat BYU 38-27 in the Big 12 opener for both programs
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BYU wide receiver Chase Roberts (2) catches a pass under pressure from Kansas cornerback Mello Dotson (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. Charlie Riedel, Associated Press
The Cougars got off to a poor start to the second half when Kedon Slovis threw a pick-6 three plays into the third quarter and from there, BYU was playing from behind.
That gave Kansas the breathing room it needed, as the Jayhawks relied on star quarterback Jalon Daniels (130 passing yards and three touchdowns, with 54 rushing yards) and a dominant running game (221 yards, 172 after halftime) to put BYU away in the Big 12 opener for both programs.
Fourth quarter
Kansas 38, BYU 27
1:36 — Kansas all but put the game on ice with a 23-yard field goal from Seth Keller to make it a two-score game with less than two minutes to play and BYU out of timeouts. Kansas 38, BYU 27.
The Jayhawks took over six minutes off the clock on their latest scoring drive.
8:02 — BYU made it a one-score game on a 6-yard Keelan Marion jet sweep score, capping a 75-yard drive with a much-needed touchdown. Kansas 35, BYU 27.
Kedon Slovis continued to sling the ball, giving BYU the opportunity to stay in it despite a dismal rushing game for the Cougars.
13:36 — The Jayhawks scored their third touchdown of the half on a Luke Grimm 13-yard touchdown pass on third down, giving Kansas its first two-score lead of the day. Kansas 35, BYU 20.
Kansas turned Kedon Slovis’ second interception of the day into a score, driving 64 yards on six straight runs that netted 51 yards before the 13-yard TD pass.
Third quarter
Kansas 28, BYU 20
4:53 — Kansas effectively utilized its run and pass game to drive 75 yards and score on a 5-yard Luke Grimm touchdown catch. Kansas 28, BYU 20.
Always lurking 👻@JalonDaniels6 finds The Grimm Reaper @lukegrimm25 in the back of the endzone. 28-20 Jayhawks
Jalon Daniels ran for 24 yards — including converting a third-and-6 with his legs — and completed 3 of 3 passes for 27 yards on the 10-play scoring possession.
10:58 — BYU added a second Will Ferrin — this one from 34 yards — to make it a one-point game. Kansas 21, BYU 20.
The Cougars drive was sparked by a 50-yard catch by Chase Roberts, though it short-circuited after Kedon Slovis took a 14-yard sack on second-and-goal.
14:41 — Kansas scored its second defensive touchdown of the day when Kenny Logan Jr. intercepted Kedon Slovis and returned it 30 yards for the score on the third snap of the second half. Kansas 21, BYU 17.
Slovis, who was nearly picked on the first half of the half, threw behind Isaac Rex on third down, the ball was tipped and Logan came up with the interception before running in for the score.
Halftime
BYU 17, Kansas 14
BYU has settled in after another slow start and used a methodical march down the field to tack on a field goal and take the lead into halftime.
Kedon Slovis had his best half as a Cougar, completing 19 of 27 passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns, with Isaac Rex (five catches, 57 yards) his favorite target.
The BYU defense stepped up after giving up two early Kansas touchdown drives and held the Jayhawks to back-to-back punts in the second quarter, with Kansas totaling minus-11 yards on those two drives.
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Kansas running back Daniel Hishaw Jr. (20) is tackled by BYU linebacker Ace Kaufusi during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. Kansas won 38-27. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press
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Kansas head coach Lance Leipold waits to run onto the field with his team before an NCAA college football game against BYU Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press
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Kansas safety Kenny Logan Jr. (1) reaches for but is unable to grab a pass meant for BYU wide receiver Keanu Hill, left, as Kansas safety O.J. Burroughs (5) also defends during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023 in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley) | Colin E. Braley, Associated Press
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Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels (6) attempts to get past BYU's Kamden Garrett (7) and Raider Damuni (33) as he scrambles for a first down during the third quarter of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023 in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley) | Colin E. Braley, Associated Press
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Kansas tight end Trevor Kardell (45) celebrates with Kansas tight end Mason Fairchild (89) after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against BYU Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press
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Kansas running back Devin Neal (4) rushes for a first down as BYU safety Ethan Slade (26) defends during the fourth quarter of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023 in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley) | Colin E. Braley, Associated Press
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BYU head coach Kalani Sitake talks to his players during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press
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Brigham Young running back LJ Martin (27) scores a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press
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Brigham Young running back LJ Martin (27) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press
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BYU running back LJ Martin (27) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press
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BYU wide receiver Chase Roberts (2) catches a pass under pressure from Kansas cornerback Mello Dotson (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press
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Kansas running back Devin Neal (4) runs the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against BYU Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press
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BYU wide receiver Keanu Hill is tackled by Kansas safety O.J. Burroughs (5) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press
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BYU quarterback Kedon Slovis passes the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press
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CORRECTS RECEIVER TO BYU'S DARIUS LASSITER, INSTEAD OF KANSAS' DOUG EMILIEN - BYU wide receiver Darius Lassiter (5) is tackled by Kansas cornerback Kwinton Lassiter (8) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press
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Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels passes the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against BYU Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press
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BYU wide receiver Keelan Marion (17) runs for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. Kansas won 38-27. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press
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BYU wide receiver Darius Lassiter (5) is tripped up by Kansas linebacker Jayson Gilliom (10) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. Kansas won 38-27. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press
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Kansas running back Devin Neal, center, runs the ball between BYU cornerback Kamden Garrett (7) and BYU linebacker AJ Vongphachanh, left, during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. Kansas won 38-27. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press
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BYU quarterback Kedon Slovis (10) passes the ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. Kansas won 38-27. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press
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Kansas wide receivers Luke Grimm (11) and Quentin Skinner (0) celebrate after Grimm scored a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against BYU Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. Kansas won 38-27. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press
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BYU head coach Kalani Sitake talks to his team during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press
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BYU tight end Isaac Rex, center, is tackled by Kansas linebacker Donovan Gaines (20) and safety Kenny Logan Jr. (1) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press
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BYU tight end Isaac Rex, center, is tackled by Kansas safety Kenny Logan Jr. (1), linebacker JB Brown (28) and cornerback Kwinton Lassiter (8) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press
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Kansas safety Kenny Logan Jr. (1) celebrates with defensive lineman Austin Booker (9) after intercepting a pass for a touchdown during the third quarter of an NCAA football game against BYU on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023 in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley) | Colin E. Braley, Associated Press
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Kansas players warm up on the field before an NCAA college football game against BYU Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press
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BYU wide receiver Keelan Marion (17) catches a 37-yard pass as Kansas cornerback Kalon Gervin (18) defends during the third quarter of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023 in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley) | Colin E. Braley, Associated Press
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Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels (6) reacts with wide receiver Quentin Skinner (0) as he adjusts a play at the line during an NCAA football game against BYU on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023 in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley) | Colin E. Braley, Associated Press
Second quarter
BYU 17, Kansas 14
0:15 — BYU took its first lead of the game just before halftime, moving the ball 68 yards and taking four minutes off clock before Will Ferrin nailed a 33-yard field goal. BYU 17, Kansas 14.
The Cougars converted a fourth-and-2 with a 16-yard pass to Isaac Rex to keep the drive alive and score four plays later.
11:00 — BYU responded with another impressive drive, going 75 yards on 13 plays before LJ Martin took a screen pass for a 10-yard touchdown. Kansas 14, BYU 14.
The Cougars converted a fourth-and-1 with a short Martin run on their side of the field on the drive, and Kedon Slovis was 7 of 9 for 66 yards on the drive, including the TD pass, his second of the game.
First quarter
Kansas 14, BYU 7
1:33 — Kansas marched downfield on its second possession and scored this time on a 15-yard touchdown pass to Trevor Kardell to retake the lead. Kansas 14, BYU 7.
BYU appeared to have a turnover earlier in the drive, but Kamden Garrett was flagged for holding on a play where he intercepted Kansas star quarterback Jalon Daniels. Five plays later, the Jayhawks scored.
5:48 — BYU responded with a touchdown drive, going 75 yards in 10 plays, with Darius Lassiter making a 7-yard touchdown catch on third-and-4 for the Cougars’ first score. Kansas 7, BYU 7.
Isaac Rex was a favorite target on the drive, with four catches for 41 yards already.
10:38 — Kansas scored first, as cornerback Cobee Bryant hit BYU’s Parker Kingston hard on a jet sweep, knocking the ball loose. Bryant scooped the ball up and ran 22 yards for the defensive touchdown. Kansas 7, BYU 0.
