JAYHAWKS RUN PAST HUSKIES
Kansas Wins Inaugural Big Ten game over Northern Illinois
Dylan Edwards ran wild in the Jayhawks win on Saturday afternoon.
Media Ranks: Kansas 62nd, Northern Illinois 105th
Overall: Kansas 77, Northern Illinois 66
Offense: Kansas 76, Northern Illinois 66
Defense: Kansas 79, Northern Illinois 66
Weather: Clear, 72F
TV: Regional TV
Site: David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium - Lawrence, KS (41,525)
9/12/26
Lawrence, KS (AP) – It wasn't pretty at times, but the Kansas Jayhawks got the job done, as they defeated Northern Illinois 45-38 to win their first ever Big Ten game. Halfback Dylan Edwards had a career day, running for over 300 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Jayhawks.
Northern Illinois (1-2, 0-2) marched down the field on their opening possession and kicked a 24 yard Jon Ramsay field goal to take the lead. R.J. McCullers then picked off Isaiah Marshall on Kansas' first possession, giving the Huskies the ball at the Kansas 36 yard line. But the Jayhawks defense came through with a three and out, forcing a punt that went out at the two yard line.
Yasin Willis ran for five yards on first down, then Dylan Edwards broke off a spectacular 92 yard touchdown run to give the Jayhawks the lead. The Huskies answered with a seven play drive, going 79 yards and ending with a six yard touchdown run by Telly Johnson Jr.
Dylan Edwards third touch of the game went 77 yards for his second score, to put Kansas back in front 14-10 in a wild first quarter. Edwards ran it three times for 174 yards....in the first quarter!
After Kansas defense came up with a big fourth down stop on the Huskies next drive, Dylan Edwards did it again. This time, racing a mere 34 yards for a score to put Kansas up 21-10.
Northern Illinois took just three plays to answer with Jalen Macon hitting DeAree Rogers for a 75 yard touchdown, bringing the Huskies back to within 21-17.
Kansas would have a chance to score late in the half, and almost scored seven as Isaiah Marshall hit Carson Bruhn for a 24 yard gain down to the Northern Illinois one yard line, but they had to use their final time out, and decided to kick a short field goal, to go up 24-17 at the break. Kansas outgained Northern Illinois 355-350 in a wild first half.
The game did not settle down after hafltime. Kansas' Taylor David picked off Jalen Macon at the Jayhawks 23 yard line to snuff out Northern Illinois' first possession. But on fourth and inches from their own 32, Kansas decided to go for it and Yasin Willis was stuffed for a two yard loss. Four plays later, Jalen Macon hit DeAree Rogers for a five yard score to tie the game at 24-24.
Yasin Willis made up for the stop on fourth down on the Jayhawks next possession, running it in from 11 yards out as Kansas retook the lead. A nine play, 80 yard response from the Huskies, saw Telly Johnson Jr score again, but the extra point was blocked, leaving Kansas ahead 31-30.
Two plays later, Isaiah Marshall hit Nik McMillan on a slant that went 85 yards for a score to put the Jayhawks up by eight. But Telly Johnson Jr scored his third touchdown of the game on the Huskies next drive, scoring from a yard out on fourth down. The two-point conversion tied the game at 38-38 early in the fourth quarter.
Kansas then drove 82 yards in ten plays to retake the lead on a Yasin Willis one yard run with 7:54 left in regulation. Kansas had a chance to increase the lead on their next possession, but Martin Connington missed a 50 yard field goal, hitting the crossbar.
The Huskies had a last chance, driving the ball to the Kansas 38, but a fourth and one pass was batted down at the goal line and Kansas was able to run out the clock to win it.
Dylan Edwards finished the day rushing it 21 times for 309 yards with three touchdowns for the Jayhawks. Nic McMillan caught nine balls for 167 yards and a score. Trey Lathan had 17 tackles with three TFLs and a sack.
Jalen Macon threw for 434 tards with two touchdowns and an interception in the loss for the Huskies. DaAree Rogers caught ten passes for 192 yards and two scores. R.J. McCullers had eight tackles, a sacks and two interceptions on defense for Northern Illinois.
The Jayhawks (1-1, 1-0) will head out on the road next week for a non-conference tilt with West Virginia in Morgantown.
Dylan Edwards scores on a 92 yard run.
DeAree Rogers scored on this 75 yard catch and run for the Huskies.
Nik McMillan had his second straight 100 yard game to open the season.
Telly Johnson Jr scored three times in the loss for Northern Illinois.
Northern Illinois' last chance was broken up at the goal line.
