The Library Media — Sports · Sports Desk
Kansas 37, West Virginia 14: Jayhawks Build Early Lead and Control Mountaineers
By Sadie Calloway
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Kansas used a 30-point first half to take control at Milan Puskar Stadium, defeating West Virginia 37-14 and earning its second consecutive victory over the Mountaineers.
The Jayhawks improved to 4-6 overall and 2-5 in the Big 12, while West Virginia fell to 5-5 and 2-5. Kansas must defeat BYU and Oklahoma State in its remaining games to reach bowl eligibility.
Kansas established its advantage early, leading 17-7 after the first quarter and extending the margin to 30-7 by halftime. The Jayhawks scored on five of their first six drives, putting West Virginia in a difficult position before the break.
Quarterback Isaiah Marshall led the Kansas offense with contributions as both a passer and runner. He completed 15 of 18 passes for 152 yards with one interception and rushed for 164 yards and a touchdown. His 2-yard scoring run with 45 seconds remaining in the second quarter completed Kansas’ first-half scoring and gave the Jayhawks their 23-point halftime advantage.
Marshall also broke a season-high 50-yard run, setting up a Kansas score. His rushing production provided a significant part of an offense that finished with 448 total yards.
Kansas added to its lead through Chase Belcher, who scored twice on the ground. One of those touchdowns came early in the fourth quarter on an 8-yard run, extending the advantage to 37-7.
Khijohnn Cummings-Coleman also contributed a touchdown, scoring on a 26-yard run with 1:01 remaining in the first quarter to make it 17-7. The drive was finished by backup quarterback Chase Jenkins while Marshall was briefly out of the game.
West Virginia’s first touchdown had brought the score to 10-7 in the opening quarter, but the Mountaineers could not keep pace with Kansas’ scoring during the remainder of the first half.
The Jayhawks’ defensive performance also limited West Virginia’s production. The Mountaineers finished with 262 total yards, their season low, compared with Kansas’ 448. Of West Virginia’s total, 164 yards came in the fourth quarter.
Quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to John Neider with 5:01 remaining in the fourth quarter, accounting for West Virginia’s final points and establishing the 37-14 margin.
The late touchdown did little to change the outcome. Kansas had already established its advantage through its first-half production and maintained control after halftime. The teams played a 0-0 third quarter before each scored once in the fourth.
The 30-point first half proved decisive for Kansas, which now has consecutive victories over West Virginia and remains in contention for bowl eligibility. The Jayhawks will need wins over BYU and Oklahoma State to reach that goal.
Sadie Calloway
College Football, The Library Media
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