at BYU Saturday September 30, 2028
The McAlary Effect
The McAlary Effect
at BYU Saturday September 30, 2028
The McAlary Effect
Injury Woes Mount for Kansas Defense After BYU Win
Kansas’ hard-fought 31-17 road win over #24 BYU came at a cost, as the Jayhawks lost two key contributors on defense to injury. Starting outside linebacker Seth Sahara suffered a dislocated hip and is expected to miss two to three months. Sahara, who is tied for the team lead with 24 tackles and has tallied 1.5 sacks, had played the second-most snaps among linebackers this season.
Defensive tackle Terrelle Warren, who notched a sack and a tackle for loss against BYU, sustained a torn labrum that will sideline him for the next 3–4 weeks. Warren has been a steady presence in the trenches, logging 163 snaps with 8 total tackles, including 2 for loss and 1.5 sacks.
These injuries further strain a defense already without senior cornerback Jalen Todd for the season and safety Nico Brewer, who remains out for at least another week or two.
“We hate to lose guys like Seth and Terrelle, but this is where depth and preparation matter,” head coach Jordan McAlary said. “It’s next man up. We’ve got some hungry guys ready to step in, and we’ll keep pushing forward as a team.”
McAlary Emphasizes Turnovers and Protection as Areas for Improvement
Despite Kansas’ impressive 5-0 start and a ranked road win over BYU, head coach Jordan McAlary is keeping his team grounded with an eye on improvement. Following two costly interceptions and several pressures allowed in Provo, McAlary stressed the need to clean up turnovers and improve pass protection.
“We’ve got to take better care of the football and do a better job keeping Isaiah upright,” McAlary said. “Those are things that can swing games in a heartbeat, and we’re going to put a real emphasis on that in practice moving forward. We’re winning, but we’re not playing our cleanest ball yet—and that’s our challenge now.”
McAlary Addresses Limited Workload for LaBelle, Jue
While Harry Stewart III continues to shine as Kansas’ lead back, the lack of reps for reserves Tyree LaBelle and Glen Jue has not gone unnoticed. Head coach Jordan McAlary acknowledged the limited touches for the talented duo and pointed to the team's uptempo offensive style as a key factor.
“We play fast, and sometimes that means we’re not making as many substitutions at running back as we’d like,” McAlary said. “Harry’s been outstanding—he can do it all, run between the tackles, catch out of the backfield, pass protect—but Tyree and Glen are both really good football players who bring a lot to the table.”
McAlary said he and the offensive coaching staff need to be more intentional about finding opportunities for LaBelle and Jue in upcoming games.
“It’s on us as coaches to be better about getting those guys involved,” McAlary added. “They’ve earned their reps, and we’re going to keep working to make sure they get chances to contribute.”
The McAlary Effect
Always nice to get that first signing under our belt.
Big Zeke with the grand opening Cincy does look good, maybe we will see them in the conference championship game.
It is always fun to see who falls off and who rises up once you get a few seasons into one of these.
The McAlary Effect
Jayhawks Land Elite CB Emilio LaCouture
Kansas has added a major piece to its future secondary with the signing of four-star cornerback Emilio LaCouture, the program’s second commitment of the cycle. The 5-11, 200-pound standout from Arlington Bowie High School in Texas is ranked as the No. 5 cornerback in the nation and the No. 71 overall player in the class.
LaCouture brings elite speed and exceptional change-of-direction skills to the table, making him a natural fit for man coverage schemes. He’s also comfortable in zone, showing the versatility to thrive in multiple looks. A willing and above-average tackler, LaCouture adds physicality to his polished coverage game.
Kansas head coach Jordan McAlary praised the addition, calling LaCouture “a complete defensive back with lockdown potential.”
Kansas Misses Out on Pair of Top Defensive Line Targets
Kansas suffered a pair of setbacks on the recruiting trail this week, missing out on two highly coveted defensive tackle prospects. Five-star DT Enrique Canonico out of Wentzville, Missouri, has committed to Notre Dame, while four-star Jamerson Peters from Kansas City has chosen Ohio State.
Canonico, one of the top defensive linemen in the nation, had been a priority for the Jayhawks but ultimately opted for the tradition and national spotlight of the Fighting Irish. Peters, a disruptive interior presence with local ties, will head to Columbus to join the Buckeyes’ powerhouse defensive front.
While disappointing, Kansas remains active in the search for impact players along the defensive line as head coach Jordan McAlary and his staff look to reload a unit facing depth concerns due to recent injuries.
The McAlary Effect
at Baylor 0-4(0-1) 
Saturday October 7, 2028 | 3:15PM | McLane Stadium | Waco, Texas
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Team Schedule
L 16-21 vs North Texas
L 13-31 @ Oregon
L 17-30 vs Clemson
L 17-24 vs Oklahoma State
Team Leaders
Passing | QB Nate Bennett 1,013Yds 5TD 9 Int
Rushing | HB Nick Ficken 158Yds 2TD, QB Nate Bennett 57Yds
Receiving | WR Jadon Porter 292Yds 1TD, WR Tyler Amaro 271Yds 2TD, WR Alex Genus 195Yds
Tackles | DE Keelan Lanning 20, OLB Tito Armour 20, MLB Pat Shockley 19
Sacks | DE Keelan Lanning 4.0, OLB Kevin Free 2.5
Interceptions | SS Kevin Bada 2
Injuries
Kansas – DT Terrelle Warren, OLB Seth Sahara, CB Jalen Todd, FS Nico Brewer
Baylor – WR Tyler Amaro, LG Koltin Sieracki, DE Keelan Lanning, DT Larry Hatchett
The McAlary Effect
Mans on gfx run right now
The McAlary Effect
Saturday October 7, 2028
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Waco, Texas - Kansas quarterback and Heisman contender Isaiah Marshall delivered another signature performance Saturday, leading the No. 2 Jayhawks to a dominant 56-3 win over Baylor at McLane Stadium. The senior accounted for seven total touchdowns—four through the air and three on the ground—as Kansas (6-0, 3-0 Big 12) remained undefeated and in firm control of the conference race.
Marshall was clinical from the opening whistle, completing 20 of 25 passes for 324 yards and four touchdowns. He added 37 rushing yards and three scores on the ground, engineering scoring drives on every Kansas possession until the final kneeldown.
“Isaiah just keeps showing why he’s the best player in the country,” Kansas head coach Jordan McAlary said. “He had complete command of the offense today.”
The Jayhawks jumped out to a 13-3 first-quarter lead behind a 3-yard Marshall touchdown run and a 47-yard catch-and-run score by running back Harry Stewart III. Stewart finished with 75 rushing yards on 11 carries and added four receptions for 70 yards, serving as a key dual-threat weapon.
Kansas erupted in the second quarter, tacking on 22 points with Marshall finding the end zone on a 6-yard run and throwing touchdown passes to Morgan Cooke (35 yards) and Damien Keo (11 yards). A two-point conversion and efficient clock management helped the Jayhawks take a 35-3 lead into the locker room.
Cooke led all receivers with 120 yards and a touchdown on seven receptions, while Jared Marciano added five catches for 100 yards and a 20-yard touchdown late in the third quarter. Tight end Trey’Dez Green chipped in three catches for 23 yards, and Keo’s lone reception found paydirt.
With the game firmly in hand, Kansas shifted to a more run-heavy attack in the second half. Tyree Labelle saw increased reps, finishing with 84 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries—most of which came after halftime.
“Tyree’s a guy we trust,” McAlary said. “When we’re in that four-minute offense mindset, he runs hard and keeps us on schedule.”
Defensively, Kansas was suffocating. Baylor (3-3, 1-2 Big 12) managed just 161 total yards and was shut out over the final three quarters. Quarterback Nate Bennett struggled all afternoon, completing just 8 of 21 passes for 80 yards and tossing an interception to freshman cornerback Immanuel Jones in the fourth quarter.
The Bears found little success on the ground either. Running back Nick Ficken rushed 10 times for 52 yards, but 27 of those came on one play during Baylor’s opening drive—one that ended in a 20-yard field goal and their only points of the game.
Terrance Yates led the Jayhawk defense with seven tackles. T.J. Harbor was a disruptive force with three tackles for loss, and Hugh Busby recorded a sack. The unit kept Baylor out of the red zone after the first quarter.
The only two Kansas possessions that did not result in points came at the very end of each half. The Jayhawks ran out the clock with nine seconds left in the second quarter, and backup quarterback Brad Matlock kneeled out the final minute after Kansas reached the Baylor 10-yard line.
Now 6-0, Kansas turns its attention to next week’s matchup with Arizona State—a game that continues a stretch of critical Big 12 play as the Jayhawks eye a return to the College Football Playoff.
“This group is locked in,” McAlary said. “But they know the job isn’t finished. Arizona State is up next—and we’ll be ready.”
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
KU – Isaiah Marshall 3 yd run (missed kick), 6:52
BAY – Klay Davey 20 yd FG, 3:32
KU – Harry Stewart III 47 yd pass from Isaiah Marshall (Shaq Durham kick), 2:22
Second Quarter
KU – Isaiah Marshall 6 yd run (Isaiah Marshall 2-pt conversion), 6:47
KU – Morgan Cooke 35 yd pass from Isaiah Marshall (Shaq Durham kick), 4:04
KU – Damien Keo 11 yd pass from Isaiah Marshall (Shaq Durham kick), 0:59
Third Quarter
KU – Isaiah Marshall 1 yd run (Shaq Durham kick), 5:54
KU – Jared Marciano 20 yd pass from Isaiah Marshall (Shaq Durham kick), 1:10
Fourth Quarter
KU – Tyree Labelle 1 yd run (Shaq Durham kick), 2:40
Key Statistics
Passing – I. Marshall 20/25 324Yds 4TD, B. Matlock 1/1 19Yds
Rushing – T. Labelle 18Car 84Yds 1TD, H. Stewart III 11Car 75Yds, I. Marshall 10Car 37Yds 3TD
Receiving – M. Cooke 7Rec 120Yds 1TD, J. Marciano 5Rec 100Yds 1TD, H. Stewart III 4Rec 70Yds 1TD, T. Green 3Rec 23Yds, D. Keo 1Rec 11Yds 1TD
Tackles – T. Yates 7
Sacks – H. Busby 1.0
Takeaways – I. Jones 1Int
Special Teams - S. Durham 6/7XP
Passing – N. Bennett 8/21 80Yds 1Int
Rushing – N. Ficken 5Car 52Yds, E. Okanlawon 7Car 17Yds
Receiving – A. Genus 1Rec 26Yds, M. Poole 2Rec 24Yds, J. Porter 3Rec 16Yds
Tackles – T. Armour 15, K. Wokomak 14, P. Shockey 13
Sacks – N. Schwab 1.5, F. Hagg 0.5
Takeaways – N/A
Special Teams – K. Davey 1/1FG, E. Keenan 7PT 279Yds,
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