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Kansas Jayhawk Dylan Edwards Played a Major Role in the Victory
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- Kansas Jayhawk Dylan Edwards Played a Major Role in the Victory
(USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
Kansas Jayhawks running back Dylan Edwards delivered one of his best performances of the season Saturday afternoon, helping lead Kansas to a dramatic 25-24 victory over Baylor. Edwards carried the football 30 times for 156 yards, establishing himself as a major part of the Jayhawks' offensive success during an important Big 12 matchup.
Coming into the game, Kansas needed its running game to provide consistency and take some pressure off quarterback Isaiah Marshall. Edwards answered that challenge with a career-high workload, averaging 5.2 yards per carry against a Baylor defense that entered the matchup looking to slow down the Jayhawks.
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Edwards was especially important in helping Kansas control the tempo. His ability to find running lanes, break tackles and gain yards after contact allowed the offense to sustain drives and keep Baylor's defense on the field.
According to Kansas Athletics' official game recap , Edwards finished with 156 rushing yards on 30 attempts, while Kansas totaled 209 rushing yards as a team.
The running back also had an opportunity to deliver an even bigger highlight when he broke loose for a touchdown run that was eventually called back because of a holding penalty. Despite losing the score, Edwards continued making plays and remained an important part of the offensive game plan.
Head coach Lance Leipold recognized Edwards' performance after the game, praising his physical running style and ability to finish plays through contact. Leipold also viewed the performance as something that could help Edwards build confidence moving forward.
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Edwards' performance also earned praise from Leipold during his weekly press conference. The Kansas coach described it as Edwards' best all-around performance since joining the Jayhawks. Leipold specifically highlighted how the running back attacked defenders and continued driving his feet after making contact.
In an interview following the victory, Edwards credited his offensive line for helping create opportunities throughout the afternoon. The offensive line's ability to open running lanes allowed him to consistently move the chains and keep the Kansas offense productive. R1S1 Sports also reported that Leipold and offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki were pleased with Edwards' increased workload and production.
Another important part of Edwards' performance was his ability to give Kansas a dependable option when the passing game struggled. Marshall threw two interceptions, but the running game helped Kansas remain competitive and eventually complete its fourth-quarter comeback.
According to KU Sports' breakdown of the Baylor victory , Edwards' performance was one of the biggest positives from the Jayhawks' offensive effort.
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Kansas will need Edwards to continue producing as the season progresses. His ability to take pressure off Marshall and establish the running game could become increasingly important during the remaining Big 12 schedule.
With the Jayhawks looking to build on their victory, Edwards has an opportunity to become an even bigger part of the offense moving forward. JayhawksRoundtable .
