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Kansas Jayhawks Looks to Build Momentum
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- Kansas Jayhawks Looks to Build Momentum
(USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
The Kansas Jayhawks finally have a victory to build on after delivering one of their most dramatic performances of the season against Baylor. Kansas escaped with a 25-24 win on Saturday, giving head coach Lance Leipold and his team an opportunity to carry that momentum into the final stretch of the season.
The victory was especially important for a Kansas team looking to find consistency in Big 12 play. After facing adversity throughout the season, the Jayhawks showed they could respond when the game was on the line. The result also gave the team something positive to take into its upcoming matchup against TCU.
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Kansas did not have a perfect afternoon offensively. Quarterback Isaiah Marshall threw two interceptions, creating challenges for an offense that needed to make plays against Baylor. However, the Jayhawks continued competing and found a way to put themselves in position to win late in the fourth quarter.
Running back Dylan Edwards played a significant role in the victory, rushing for 156 yards on 30 carries. His performance helped Kansas establish its ground game and gave the offense a dependable option when it needed to move the football. The Jayhawks finished with 200 rushing yards, demonstrating the importance of controlling the game on the ground.
One of the biggest moments came when Marshall connected with Carson Bruhn for a 22-yard touchdown earlier in the game. Kansas continued battling through momentum swings before putting together the late-game effort necessary to secure the victory.
The defense and special teams also delivered when it mattered most. With Baylor attempting to regain the lead in the closing seconds, Blake Herold blocked a field goal with 18 seconds remaining. The play preserved Kansas' one-point advantage and became the defining moment of the afternoon. Herold's performance also earned him Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week recognition.
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For Leipold, the challenge now is making sure the Baylor victory becomes more than one memorable afternoon. Kansas needs to carry the same determination, physicality and execution into its remaining games if it hopes to finish the season strongly.
The Jayhawks can use the win as a confidence boost, but they must continue correcting mistakes and improving in all three phases. Avoiding turnovers, sustaining drives and finishing defensive possessions will be important moving forward.
Kansas now turns its attention to TCU, where another difficult conference matchup awaits. The Baylor victory does not erase the challenges the Jayhawks have faced, but it gives them a foundation to build on.
If Kansas can turn Saturday's resilience into consistent performances, the win over Baylor could become an important turning point in the final weeks of the season. JayhawksRoundtable
