Kansas' defense stymies UCF to escape with 27-20 win

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Kansas’ defense came up with two decisive plays near the goal line, setting up the Jayhawks’ go-ahead touchdown with a strip sack and fumble recovery to stop UCF on three consecutive plays from the 1 with less than two minutes remaining to help Kansas beat the Knights 27-20 on Saturday night.

Kansas’ Trey Lathan recovered a fumble at the 2 late in the third quarter off a strip sack from Jalen Dye, setting up the go-ahead 2-yard touchdown run from Leshon Williams. Lathan then tackled Cam Fancher on fourth-and-goal from the 1 with 1:47 to secure the victory.

“You are expecting to lose in that situation,” Lathan said. “But when you come out with a W, it’s a great feeling.”

Kansas (4-2, 2-1 Big 12) lost last week’s game to Cincinnati after a goal line battle, ending with a Bearcats’ 2-yard touchdown run with 30 seconds remaining.

UCF drove to the Kansas 22 after getting the ball back, but four straight incompletions that included a pass breakup in the end zone by Austin Alexander, ended the Knights’ final threat.

Kansas erased an early 14-0 lead from UCF (3-2, 0-2) after Myles Montgomery and the Knights ran all over the Jayhawks in the first half.

Jalon Daniels led the charge for Kansas, throwing for 235 yards on 18-for-26 passing. Williams rushed for 58 yards and three touchdowns for the Jayhawks.

“These guys are growing,” Kansas coach Lance Leipold said. “I think this can be a big one for them to gain some confidence.”

Montgomery rushed for 99 of his 110 yards in the first half, scoring two touchdowns to stake the Knights to an early lead.

UCF’s Tayven Jackson finished with 97 yards on 14-for-23 passing. He left the game after his turnover and came out of the locker room with his left arm in a sling. Coach Scott Frost said X-rays on his shoulder were negative.

Fancher, who started UCF’s opening game against Jacksonville State before leaving with an injury, completed 8 of 14 passes for 79 yards.

The Knights could not find answers in the second half and lost for the second straight game.

“I think we’re one of the most talented teams in the Big 12, we’ve just got to finish,” UCF receiver Duane Thomas Jr. said. “We have to play a complete football game. We can’t go out the first two quarters and lay down the next two.”

Off Suspension

Part of the shift in the game came from Kansas linebacker Bangally Kamara, who was coming off suspension in the first half after a second-half targeting penalty last week against Cincinnati. Kamara finished with four tackles and provided a boost for the Jayhawks’ defense.

Memorializing Coach Clark

Both teams stayed on the field after pregame warmups for a moment of silence to recognize UCF offensive line coach Shawn Clark. Clark passed away Sept. 21. He joined UCF’s staff after five years as the head coach at Appalachian State.

Fighting through injury

Several players for Kansas were fighting through injury, including Williams. The biggest was to kicker Laith Marjan, who made two field goals. His 41-yarder in the third quarter just made it over the crossbar, clipping it before going through.

Leipold admitted Marjan was probably a bit fatigued after he kicked the ensuing kickoff out of bounds following the short field goal.

The Takeaway

Kansas: The Jayhawks have been known for their offense throughout the season, but their defense stepped up in a big way to stymie the Knights.

UCF: The Knights will again face quarterback questions after Jackson left the game with an injury. Jackson left last week’s game with a shoulder injury. Backup quarterback Jacurri Brown also missed the game with a shoulder injury.

Up Next

Kansas travels to face No. 11 Texas Tech on Saturday.

UCF hits the road to face Cincinnati on Saturday.

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