Jordan GuskeyTopeka Capital-Journal
KANSAS CITY, Kansas —Kansas football’s 2024 season finally started, as the Jayhawks kicked off Thursday night at home against Lindenwood.
The Jayhawks, a FBS program at the Division I level, came in at No. 24 in the US LBM Coaches Poll. The Lions, a FCS program, were significant underdogs when the game started. It was the first game of head coach Lance Leipold’s fourth season leading KU.
Did Kansas set the tone for this fall in the way many expected? How did redshirt junior quarterback Jalon Daniels perform in what was his first game back, after his 2023 season was cut short due to injury? Did the Jayhawks’ defense showcase an ability to rush the passer?
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Here is what happened during the game, which was played at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas:
Kansas game time, TV channel for today’s game against Lindenwood
Kickoff: 7 p.m. (CT)
Kansas football vs Lindenwood recap
FINAL: Kansas 48, Lindenwood 3
Lindenwood scores
Lindenwood finally added a scoring drive to its evening. The Lions went 75 yards in 14 plays nad took 7:04 off of the clock. A 34-yard field goal cut the deficit to 48-3.
Kansas' offense continues to thrive
Quarterback Cole Ballard found wide receiver for a four-yard touchdown pass with 13:22 left in the fourth quarter. After the extra point, Kansas leads 48-0. The drive went 90 yards in 11 plays and took 5:39 off of the clock.
END 3Q: Kansas 41, Lindenwood 0
Kansas drives for score to open 2nd half
Sevion Morrison became the third running back to score a touchdown today, rushing in from a yard out with 8:23 left in the third quarter. The drive took 6:32 off of the clock and went 85 yards in 11 plays. Kansas leads 41-0 after the extra point.
END 2Q: Kansas 34, Lindenwood 0
Kansas scores again just before the half
Running back Daniel Hishaw Jr. added his name to the list of Jayhawks who've scored a touchdown today, rushing in from one yard out. The original call had to be overturned to give Hishaw the score, and after the extra point Kansas leads 34-0 with 0:03 left in the second quarter. The drive took three minutes off the clock and went 95 yards in 10 plays.
Kansas extends lead to 27-0
For the first time this year, quarterback Jalon Daniels has thrown a touchdown pass. This one went for 58 yards to wide receiver Luke Grimm, ending a drive that lasted just 51 seconds and went 66 yards in three plays. After the extra point, Kansas leads 27-0 with 7:07 left in the second quarter.
Mello Dotson returns interception for touchdown, Kansas leads 20-0
Kansas cornerback Mello Dotson just recorded his first interception return for a touchdown of the season, taking a pass back 33 yards to the end zone. Now the Jayhawks are up 20-0 with 8:42 left in the second quarter. KU did miss the extra point.
Devin Neal scores second touchdown of game, Kansas leads 14-0
Devin Neal just scored his second rushing touchdown of the game, this one from one yard out. It ended a drive that went 85 yards in seven plays, and took 3:23 off of the clock. After the extra point, Kansas leads 14-0 with 10:11 left in the second quarter.
Jalon Daniels throws an interception
Kansas just committed its second turnover of the game. Less than a minute into the second quarter, quarterback Jalon Daniels threw an interception. Lindenwood took over at the Kansas 48 yard line.
This drive also didn't end in points for Lindenwood.
END 1Q: Kansas 7, Lindenwood 0
Kansas turns the ball over, still leads 7-0
For the first time this season, Kanas has committed a turnover. On a long run by wide receiver Quentin Skinner, one that likely would have been called back anyway due to a penalty on the Jayhawks, Skinner fumbled the ball away and Lindenwood recovered. With 4:47 left in the first quarter, at its own 20 yard line, Lindenwood took over.
The drive did not lead to points, and actually ended in a punt that was blocked by Kansas linebacker Dylan Downing.
Kansas scores touchdown on 1st drive, leads 7-0
Kansas took its first offensive drive of the year all the way to the end zone for a touchdown, and after an extra point leads 7-0 with 9:44 left in the first quarter. Running back Devin Neal scored on a five-yard run. The drive lasted 3:55 and went 65 yards in nine plays.
Kansas' defense forces 3-and-out on 1st drive
Kansas football stepped up defensively in its first opportunity of the season. The Jayhawks forced a 3-and-out. Offensively, KU will start with quality field position.
Kickoff
Kansas sends the opening kickoff for a touchback.
Pregame
The coin toss
A few KU players, including a backup defensive tackle are not set to play
Check out Kansas football's uniforms
Kansas football arrives
Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He is the National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas for 2022. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.
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