Game Report
Run The Dang Ball!
@
42 | 28
2-0(1-0) | 1-2(0-0)
Saturday September 11th, 2027
Martin Stadium | Pullman, Washington
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|07|00|14|21|42
|06|07|08|07|28
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Pullman, Washington - In a game that featured high-octane offense and timely execution, No. 15 Kansas defeated Washington State 42-28 on the road, improving to 2-0 on the season. The Jayhawks leaned on a dominant ground game, and some critical decision-making from head coach Jordan McAlary to secure the win.
The rushing attack took center stage for Kansas, led by senior Johnny Thompson Jr., who bulldozed his way to 200 yards on 27 carries and two touchdowns. Junior Avery Muamba added 113 yards and a score of his own, showcasing the Jayhawks’ depth in the backfield. Quarterbacks Isaiah Marshall and Brad Matlock both saw time in a creative offensive scheme, with Marshall even lining up in the backfield alongside Matlock at times to keep the Cougars' defense guessing.
The passing game was efficient, with Matlock completing 9 of 12 passes for 108 yards and a touchdown. Marshall chipped in with a key 42-yard performance, highlighted by a crucial fourth-down play late in the third quarter.
Trailing 14-21 midway through the third quarter, Kansas faced a critical fourth-and-4 at the Washington State 12-yard line. With Marshall taking the snap, the dual-threat quarterback found tight end Jaden Hamm on a perfectly executed crossing route, converting the first down to keep the drive alive. Two plays later, Thompson Jr. plunged into the end zone from 11 yards out, giving Kansas a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
“Isaiah’s ability to read the defense and deliver in those clutch moments is exactly why we trust him in big situations,” Coach McAlary said after the game. “That fourth-down play showed the composure and creativity we’ve been working on all offseason.”
Kansas’ defense bent but didn’t break, holding Washington State to just 2.4 yards per rush on the ground. Senior defensive end Tony Terry was a force, recording two sacks and three tackles for loss. Linebacker Roddy Orr led the team with eight total tackles, while Greydon Grimes added four tackles and two sacks of his own, consistently pressuring the Cougars’ Jaxon Potter.
Despite giving up a few big plays in the air, including a 75-yard touchdown pass, the defense clamped down in the red zone, forcing key stops to limit the damage.
Kansas dominated the possession battle, controlling the ball for over 21 minutes compared to Washington State’s 10. The Jayhawks converted six of seven red-zone opportunities, with Shaq Durham going 6-for-6 on extra-point attempts. While the Jayhawks failed to convert on a field goal attempt, their ability to finish most of their drives was crucial in securing the win.
Kansas moves to 2-0 with another convincing performance. While the Jayhawks will look to clean up some defensive lapses in the secondary, their offensive versatility and versatile running game are shaping up to be a problem for opposing defenses all season long.
Washington State quarterback Potter did have some success when he wasn't being sacked or hurried. Potter threw for 286 yards and two touchdowns and added a rushing touchdown as well.
For Coach McAlary and his squad, the focus will now shift to maintaining momentum as they prepare for Big 12 play. With a dynamic quarterback duo in Marshall and Matlock and a stable of talented backs, Kansas is proving they are more than ready for the challenges ahead.
Additional Media
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
Kansas (6:54): Glen Jue 1-yard run (Shaq Durham kick) – KU 7-0
Washington State (3:49): Clyde Chism 37-yard field goal – KU 7-3
Washington State (1:28): Clyde Chism 47-yard field goal – KU 7-6
Second Quarter
Washington State (0:25): Jaxon Potter 17-yard run (Clyde Chism kick) – WSU 13-7
Third Quarter
Kansas (5:54): Avery Muamba 14-yard run (Shaq Durham kick) – KU 14-13
Washington State (5:45): Isaiah Cobbs 75-yard pass from Jaxon Potter (Rashard Lacey 2-point conversion) – WSU 21-14
Kansas (2:47): Johnny Thompson Jr. 11-yard run (Shaq Durham kick) – Tied 21-21
Fourth Quarter
Kansas (7:57): Johnny Thompson Jr. 8-yard run (Shaq Durham kick) – KU 28-21
Kansas (4:02): Avery Muamba 6-yard pass from Brad Matlock (Shaq Durham kick) – KU 35-21
Washington State (2:58): Kaycee Smith 15-yard pass from Jaxon Potter (Clyde Chism kick) – KU 35-28
Kansas (0:28): Terrelle Warren 3-yard run (Shaq Durham kick) – KU 42-28
Key Statistics
Passing – B. Matlock 9/12 108Yds 1TD 2Int, I. Marshall 2/3 42Yds
Rushing - J. Thompson Jr. 27Car 200Yds 2TD, A. Muamba 19Car 113Yds 1TD, I. Marshall 9Car 50Yds
Receiving – A. Muamba 4Rec 49Yds 1TD, K. Kubecka 3Rec 46Yds, R. Slay 2Rec 28Yds
Tackles – R. Orr 8, T. Yates 7
Sacks – T. Terry 2.0, G. Grimes 2.0, T. Harbor 1.0, D. Cantrell 1.0
Takeaways – D. Maxson 1Int, J. Moses 1Int
Special Teams - S. Durham 0/1FG 6/6XP
Passing – J. Potter 18/28 286Yds 2TD
Rushing – T. Hobbs 9Car 68Yds
Receiving – I. Cobbs 4Rec 106Yds 1TD, T. Leckner 6Rec 91Yds, Nelson Johnson-Barnes 3Rec 42Yds, R. Lacey 3Rec 27Yds 1TD
Tackles – H. Haines 15, J. Edmond 13, W. Dawkins 9
Sacks – F. Cusano 0.5, M. Wrice 0.5
Takeaways – H. Haines 2Int
Special Teams – C. Chism 2/2FG 2/2XP
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