Following a 1-2 start to the regular season, the Kansas Jayhawks are looking to get back to .500 against Middle Tennessee State this afternoon
. The Jayhawks received a much-needed bye week following consecutive losses and are now in must-win mode.
KU is returning to its home field at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium to take on a Conference USA opponent in the nonconference finale. Here at Kansas on SI, we will be tracking the action live and providing periodic updates with every significant play.
Aug 29, 2025; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks student fans celebrate a touch down during the first half against the Wagner Seahawks at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
10:50:
The KU defense got off to a slow start by allowing two first downs, but once MTSU crossed into KU territory, DK McDonald's unit tightened up and racked up consecutive tackles for loss. Kansas will start its first offensive drive at the 20-yard line after a touchback punt.
6:03:
Kansas gets on the board with a 43-yard kick from Martin Connington. The Jayhawks nearly had a first-and-goal in the end zone, but a third-down penalty sent the Jayhawks back 15 yards. Biggest drive of the season for Dylan Edwards, who picked up 45 yards on four carries. He'll need to shoulder a heavier workload moving forward with Yasin Willis out for the season. Kansas leads, 3-0.
4:02:
Another stop by the KU defense thanks to two nice plays by defensive backs on second and third down. Something to watch here is the status of Tate Nagy. For the first time this season, Keaton Kubecka was back to return MTSU's punt, which would be a huge blow if the Jayhawks were down their best special teams asset.
0:54:
Starting center Kasen Carpenter went down with an injury and appeared to be in serious pain. The Jayhawks will have to shuffle their O-line rotation if he misses extended time.
13:13:
Dylan Edwards scores his first touchdown as a Jayhawk from six yards out to give Kansas a two-possession lead. KU is up to 128 yards on the ground between Edwards and Isaiah Marshall's contributions. Kansas leads, 10-0.
11:36:
Kansas comes up with yet another big-time stop on defense, a trend we'll continue to see a lot of today. The Blue Raiders only have 40 total yards of offense and one first down through the first 20 minutes.
8:25:
For the first time this afternoon, KU is forced to punt it away after a near-interception from Marshall. He had an open Keaton Kubecka in the middle of the field on second down, but he hurled it at him with maximum velocity and he was unable to come up with it.
6:30:
No Tate Nagy, no problem. On another MTSU punt, Kubecka returns it 35 yards to give the Jayhawks excellent field position.
4:23:
Edwards' spectacular day continues with his second touchdown of the half. He jump-started the drive with a 30-yard catch and is up to 108 scrimmage yards. Neither Jalen Dupree or Chase Belcher have recorded a carry yet in the game, so one would imagine that he will receive some rest in the second half. Kansas leads, 17-0.
2:23:
Pretty inexplicable decision by MTSU's play-callers to go for it on fourth-and-medium from around midfield. Roman Gagliano was unable to complete his pass attempt, dropping to 5-for-13 passing on the afternoon and resulting in a turnover on downs. The Jayhawks can essentially put this one away with another touchdown after the two-minute warning.
0:15:
A first-down penalty inside the 10-yard line crushed any chance of the Jayhawks scoring a touchdown, but they were able to extend the lead to 20 points with another field goal by Connington. Marshall currently has more rushing yards (100) than through the air (76). Kansas will receive the ball first in the second half up by three possessions. Kansas leads, 20-0.
12:20:
After an unsuccessful onside kick attempt, Kansas needed less than three minutes to score its third touchdown of the day. Of course, it was Edwards again
to complete the trifecta from 12 yards out. It shouldn't be long before Leipold starts removing his starters from the game. Kansas leads, 27-0.
11:19:
Another drive, another punt for the Blue Raiders. It's getting to a point where Kansas is entering shutout territory.
8:33:
Marshall was unable to connect with Jalen Dupree on a third-down dumpoff, overshooting him on the sidelines. A touchback punt will allow MTSU to start the next drive on its own 20-yard line.
6:57:
Punt No. 6 for Middle Tennessee today. The Blue Raiders have yet to instill any fear in the Jayhawks' defense.
3:47:
Nahzae Cox just reeled in an astonishing contested touchdown catch on the sidelines, giving Marshall his first touchdown pass of the afternoon. He was bound to have a big play against his former school at some point. Kansas leads, 34-0.
3:06:
Leroy Harris III's tremendous season continues. The Chattanooga transfer successfully punched out the football from MTSU ball-carrier Antonio Martin and recovered the loose ball. He's already up to three forced fumbles through four games.
12:21:
Chase Jenkins has overtaken Marshall under center, but he didn't need to throw a single pass on his first drive of the game. Jalen Dupree ran for 54 yards and found paydirt for the second time this season. Kansas leads, 41-0.
11:16:
Former safety Khijohnn Cummings-Coleman is in the game at running back, which was something Leipold mentioned as a possibility during this week's press conference. It looks like he has the RB3 spot locked down over Micah Johnson, unless the KU coaching staff simply wants to test him out in a live game.
8:35:
Alert: Kansas is running up the score! Chase Jenkins hit Bryson Hayes over the middle of the field for 47 yards and ran it in from 14 yards out on the next snap. Andy Kotelnicki getting spicy with his play calls here. Kansas leads, 48-0.
Time:11 a.m. CT
Channel:ESPNU
Link: Watch ESPN
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This article was originally published on www.si.com/college/kansas as Live Game Thread & Updates for Kansas Football vs. Middle Tennessee .
