LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas erupted for 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to pull away from visiting Missouri State, 48-17, here Friday in the season opener for both clubs.
The Jayhawks racked up 521 yards of total offense and outgained MoState by a 283-82 margin in the second half.
In head coach Ryan Beard’s debut, Missouri State led 10-7 in the second quarter, trailed 17-10 at the half, and were within 27-17 early in the fourth quarter after a 5-yard touchdown run by J’mariyae Robinson gave the visitors a needed boost with 14:57 to go.
But KU capitalized on two Missouri State turnovers late in the final quarter to put things on ice, turning a pair of interceptions into touchdown drives of 28 and 23 yards in the final eight minutes.
Missouri State QB Jacob Clark finished 14-of-21 for 143 yards and a touchdown in his first career start. He was also the Bears’ top rusher, collecting 36 yards on 8 carries.
Jacardia Wright accounted for 23 rushing yards on 15 carries for MSU, while Raylen Sharpe was Clark’s top receiver with 5 catches for 21 yards.
Robinson scored both Missouri State touchdowns, including a 2-yard pass reception from Clark late in the opening quarter that knotted things up, 7-7, at the time.
Kansas signal caller Jason Bean was 22-of-28 through the air for 276 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Devin Neal gained 94 yards on 13 carries and contributed one of three Jayhawk rushing scores.
In the opening half, the Bears reeled off 10 unanswered points to lead 10-7 with 12:11 left in the second quarter. Owen Rozanc’s 37-yard field goal capped a 53-yard scoring drive to give the visitors a three-point lead after the Bears’ defense forced the Jayhawks to turn the ball over on downs moments earlier.
Missouri State’s defense created more points late in the first quarter when a fumble recovery by Todric McGee set the Bears up at the Kansas 46. Ten plays later, Clark hit J’mariyae Robinson from two yards out for Robinson’s first career touchdown reception to knot the score, 7-7.
McGee led all players with 12 total tackles.
KU used big plays late in the opening half to retake the lead, 17-10, at the intermission. Bean’s 14-yard pass to Luke Grimm returned the lead to the home side with 11:03 to go in the second and capped an efficient three-play, 75-yard touchdown blitz. Later, a 28-yard field goal by Seth Keller at the 1:05 mark gave the Jayhawks a seven-point advantage at the midway point of the game on a scoring drive that included an 18-yard completion on third down and a critical personal foul penalty against the Bears.
The Bears were outgained 238-135 in the opening 30 minutes, but Clark was an efficient 9-of-13 for 74 yards, including three completions to Sharpe, in the opening 30 minutes.
Kansas opened things up in the second half, scoring on its first five possessions with four touchdowns and a field goal. The Jayhawks were 5-of-7 on third down in the third and fourth quarters to sustain those drives with critical plays.
The Bears remain on the road next week when they travel to UT Martin for a 6 p.m. start at Hardy M. Graham Stadium. Missouri State’s home opener is Saturday, Sept. 23 vs. Utah Tech at 2 p.m.
