Game Day Primer / Sun, Oct 11
AWAY TEAM
2–2
HOME TEAM
4–0
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01 / Why this game matters
Kansas just ran for 480 yards against Middle Tennessee. No. 12 Utah has allowed only 41 points across four games. For the unranked, 2-2 Jayhawks, this road test asks how much of that offensive breakthrough survives against an unbeaten conference opponent.
02 / Know these people
Dylan Edwards / Kansas running back
Kansas · Running Back (RB)
Kansas running back Dylan Edwards rushed for 137 yards and three touchdowns in the 55-0 win over Middle Tennessee.
Devon Dampier / Utah quarterback
Utah · Quarterback (QB)
Utah quarterback Devon Dampier has nine passing touchdowns and a 70.3% completion rate through four games.
03 / Watch for this
Utah returns from a bye with four wins and an offense that has scored at least 30 points every time out. Kansas arrives from an emphatic shutout, but also has losses to Missouri and Arizona State. One spectacular afternoon is a reason to watch the running game, not proof it will overwhelm Utah.
04 / Sound smart
Utah did not play last weekend. Its most recent game was the September 26 win at Iowa State, not a fresh October victory.
The central storyline
Kansas just ran for 480 yards against Middle Tennessee. No. 12 Utah has allowed only 41 points across four games. For the unranked, 2-2 Jayhawks, this road test asks how much of that offensive breakthrough survives against an unbeaten conference opponent.
A read on both sides
Kansas
Team vibe
Kansas is 2-2 overall and 0-1 in the Big 12, unranked in the October 4 AP poll. Kansas has scored 144 points in four games, averaging 36.0. Its latest game produced 706 total yards, including 480 rushing yards, against Middle Tennessee. Kansas has conceded 68 points across four games, averaging 17.0. Its season total-defense average is 244.8 yards allowed per game. Kansas is 2-2 after losses to Missouri and Arizona State and wins over LIU and Middle Tennessee. The shutout of Middle Tennessee followed its open date.
Utah
Team vibe
Utah is 4-0 overall and 1-0 in the Big 12, No. 12 in the October 4 AP poll. Utah scored 173 points across four games, averaging 43.25. It averages 491.0 yards per game. Utah allowed 41 points across four games, averaging 10.25. Its defense has allowed only seven pass plays of at least 20 yards. Utah has won all four games and scored at least 30 in each. It last played September 26, winning 31-17 at Iowa State, then had an October 3 bye.
Current storylines
Teach Me What to Notice
On screen
Look for: Where Kansas’s first defender meets the ball carrier.
If you see it: has to dodge a defender before reaching the line.
Here's what it means: The blocking has not created the space it did last week. Repeated escapes are a harder way to sustain a running game.
On screen
Look for: Kansas defenders’ position when a Utah receiver catches a short pass.
If you see it: The receiver catches it but is tackled immediately.
Here's what it means: The defense can allow a completion without allowing an efficient play. Utah then needs another successful snap to move the chains.
The central storyline
Kansas just ran for 480 yards against Middle Tennessee. No. 12 Utah has allowed only 41 points across four games. For the unranked, 2-2 Jayhawks, this road test asks how much of that offensive breakthrough survives against an unbeaten conference opponent.
A read on both sides
Kansas
Team vibe
Kansas is 2-2 overall and 0-1 in the Big 12, unranked in the October 4 AP poll. Kansas has scored 144 points in four games, averaging 36.0. Its latest game produced 706 total yards, including 480 rushing yards, against Middle Tennessee. Kansas has conceded 68 points across four games, averaging 17.0. Its season total-defense average is 244.8 yards allowed per game. Kansas is 2-2 after losses to Missouri and Arizona State and wins over LIU and Middle Tennessee. The shutout of Middle Tennessee followed its open date.
Utah
Team vibe
Utah is 4-0 overall and 1-0 in the Big 12, No. 12 in the October 4 AP poll. Utah scored 173 points across four games, averaging 43.25. It averages 491.0 yards per game. Utah allowed 41 points across four games, averaging 10.25. Its defense has allowed only seven pass plays of at least 20 yards. Utah has won all four games and scored at least 30 in each. It last played September 26, winning 31-17 at Iowa State, then had an October 3 bye.
Current storylines
Teach Me What to Notice
On screen
Look for: Where Kansas’s first defender meets the ball carrier.
If you see it: has to dodge a defender before reaching the line.
Here's what it means: The blocking has not created the space it did last week. Repeated escapes are a harder way to sustain a running game.
On screen
Look for: Kansas defenders’ position when a Utah receiver catches a short pass.
If you see it: The receiver catches it but is tackled immediately.
Here's what it means: The defense can allow a completion without allowing an efficient play. Utah then needs another successful snap to move the chains.
Players & Coaches
Players & Coaches
Kansas · Running Back (RB)
Kansas running back Dylan Edwards rushed for 137 yards and three touchdowns in the 55-0 win over Middle Tennessee.
Players & Coaches
Utah · Quarterback (QB)
Utah quarterback Devon Dampier has nine passing touchdowns and a 70.3% completion rate through four games.
The Stakes
Kansas has a chance to carry a breakthrough into a more demanding setting; Utah needs to resume its strong start after a bye.
Why it matters
Kansas’s record-setting offensive afternoon restored some confidence after two losses. Reproducing useful pieces of that performance against unbeaten Utah would say more than the size of the previous score.
Why it matters
Utah has scored at least 30 in every game while giving up very little. Kansas brings both a productive recent rushing performance and a strong season total-defense figure, giving the Utes a test on each side.
History & Context
History & Context
Utah won 31-21 in Lawrence last season. Kansas now travels to Salt Lake City for the programs’ sixth meeting; Utah leads the series 3-2.
Conversation Starters
Conversation Starters
That 480-yard rushing day was impressive, but where the first Utah tackle happens will tell us more tonight.
Conversation Starters
Utah had a bye. Its last result was the win at Iowa State two weeks ago.
Conversation Starters
A short completion is not automatically a defensive mistake. Watch how quickly Kansas gets the receiver down.