KANSAS CITY, Mo.
In an impressive performance, Devin Neal rushed for 116 yards and scored two touchdowns, making him the leading rusher in Kansas history during a thrilling 45-36 victory over No. 17 Iowa State at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday.
Neal set a new milestone by breaking June Henley’s long-standing record with a 14-yard run on his very first carry, now boasting a total of 3,951 rushing yards. His two touchdown runs, one for 13 yards and the other for 10 yards, elevated his career total to 43, surpassing Henley’s previous record of 41 touchdowns.
Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels completed 12 out of 24 passes for 295 yards and threw two touchdowns, contributing to the team’s overall success as they improved their record to 3-6 and 2-4 in the Big 12.
On the other side, Iowa State’s Rocco Becht had a strong game, completing 24 of 37 passes for 383 yards and hitting three touchdowns. This loss marks the second consecutive defeat for Iowa State (7-2, 4-2, ranked No. 17 in the CFP) after starting the season with an undefeated record.
Neal’s second touchdown to start the third quarter pushed Kansas ahead 38-13. Iowa State responded with a 13-yard touchdown run from Carson Hansen, narrowing the score to 38-20. Becht then connected with Jaylon Jackson for a 27-yard score, followed by Becht himself running in a 2-point conversion, which brought the score to 38-28. However, Kansas’s Mello Dotson returned an interception 25 yards for a touchdown, extending the lead to 17 points with just under six minutes remaining.
Kansas managed to run out the clock effectively after Becht’s pass to Jaylin Noel resulted in an 18-yard touchdown catch. Becht had initiated the game’s scoring with a remarkable seven-play, 99-yard drive, capped off by a 27-yard completion to Noel.
Daniels quickly answered back for Kansas with a striking 70-yard pass to Luke Grimm on their second play following the kickoff. Neal further solidified Kansas’s lead with a 13-yard rushing touchdown, and Daniels later found Quentin Skinner for a 24-yard touchdown, pushing the Jayhawks ahead 21-7.
Looking ahead, Iowa State still holds potential for competing in the Big 12 Championship, although they face a tough road and will need some external assistance to make it happen. Meanwhile, Kansas has a shot at achieving a third consecutive bowl appearance for the first time in the program’s history, requiring victories in their final games against BYU and Colorado, both currently leading in the standings.
Next week’s matchups include Iowa State hosting Cincinnati and Kansas traveling to face BYU.