Kansas and West Virginia limp into their Big 12 opener after letting late leads get away last weekend.
That adds importance to Saturday’s contest in Morgantown, W.Va., when the Jayhawks (1-2) and Mountaineers (1-2) each seek a rebound victory.
“This will be a very good test for us in a lot of different ways,” Kansas coach Lance Leipold said Monday. “And they’re a team that has been close and feels they need to get a win, and so do we, so it should be a lot of excitement in Morgantown.”
Kansas is coming off a 23-20 loss to UNLV, a game that saw the Rebels drive 75 yards on 18 plays over 9:22. UNLV capped the drive by scoring on a fourth-and-goal run from the 1-yard line with 1:51 left.
The Mountaineers can relate. West Virginia moved ahead by 10 points with under five minutes remaining before host Pitt rallied on touchdown drives of 75 and 77 yards to post a 38-34 victory in the Backyard Brawl. The Panthers’ winning score came with 32 seconds remaining.
“When you lose and you lose a rivalry game that you were ahead in the final minutes, there’s going to be negativity,” West Virginia coach Neal Brown said Monday. “You have to process it, own your own mistakes and go about playing better. I’m not going to allow them to be miserable or hang their heads. We’re going to get better.”
Mountaineers quarterback Garrett Greene threw his first two interceptions of the season. He has passed for 607 yards and five touchdowns.
Defensive end T.J. Jackson is off to a strong start with seven tackles for loss, including 2.5 sacks.
Brown said those long scoring drives the defense allowed late in the Pitt game will prompt changes.
“We can’t continue to reward guys who aren’t playing well by continuing to play them,” Brown said. “It is a business.”
Kansas star running back Devin Neal (333 yards) has topped 100 yards in all three games while averaging 7.4 yards per carry. His 15 career 100-yard outings tie James Sims (2010-13) for second-most in Jayhawks history behind Tony Sands (17 from 1988-91).
Quarterback Jalon Daniels (498 yards, three touchdowns) has thrown five interceptions over the past two games. He has six overall to go with one lost fumble.
Leipold is remaining supportive of Daniels.
“Jalon has been outstanding with attitude, coachability and all those things,” Leipold said. “There’s some good things out there. There are moments.”
West Virginia holds the all-time series 10-2.
