Jalon Daniels and Cobee Bryant lead Kansas past Houston 42-14 for first Big 12 win | sport

Cobee Bryant tied a Kansas record with three interceptions, set by Bill Crank in 1958.

The game was Kansas’ 112th home game, although it was not played in the state due to the remodeling of KU’s home stadium.

Daniels was 16 of 21 passing for 247 yards for Kansas (2-5, 1-3 Big 12).

Donovan Smith went 15 of 24 for 173 yards through the air, with two touchdowns and three picks for Houston (2-5, 1-3 Big 12).

After a scoreless third quarter, Daniels’ 8-yard touchdown gave Kansas a 35-14 lead early in the fourth quarter. Devin Neal scored his second touchdown for Kansas’ final points.

Kansas scored touchdowns on its first four drives to take control.

KU took the opening kickoff and marched to an early 7-0 lead with a 15-play drive that lasted nearly 9 minutes. The Jayhawks converted a fourth-and-1 at the Houston 4-yard line before Daniels hit Jared Casey with a 2-yard touchdown pass.

On the first play after a Bryant interception, Daniels hit Quentin Skinner with a 48-yard bomb to extend the lead. On its third drive, KU gained 84 yards in six plays, capped by a 2-yard run by Neal.

Houston finally got on the scoreboard midway through the second quarter when Smith hit Stacy Sneed on a screen and Sneed ran untouched for a 23-yard score.

Daniels’ third touchdown pass was a 3-yard strike to Casey that gave Kansas a 28-7 lead. Just before halftime, Smith hit Mekhi Mews with a 52-yard catch-and-run.

THE TAKEAWAY

Houston: The Cougars’ defense let them down in the first half. They came into the game ranked third in the Big 12 with a total yards allowed per game of 295.0 and gave up 284 of their 467 total yards allowed in the first half.

Kansas: The Jayhawks desperately needed this win to reach a third straight bowl game for the first time in program history. With games against No. 17 Kansas State, No. 9 Iowa State and No. 13 BYU in the next three games, all they can afford is a loss and bowl eligibility.

NEXT

Houston: The Cougars host Utah on October 26th.

Kansas: The Jayhawks travel to in-state rival Kansas State on October 26th.

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