Texas Longhorns Miss Opportunities, Lead Kansas Jayhawks at Halftime
AUSTIN, Texas -- Both the Texas Longhorns and Kansas Jayhawks look much different from the last time they faced off in Austin, something that was apparent through one half of play in a Big 12 battle between the two sides at DKR on Saturday.
But it was the No. 3 Longhorns that led the No. 24 Jayhawks, 13-7, headed into halftime despite some inconsistent play on offense and some huge missed opportunities on both ends. Kansas star quarterback Jalon Daniels didn't get the start, as he's dealing with back tightness.
Texas had 342 total yards of offense and 15 first downs compared to just 139 yards and five first downs for Kansas, but had just a six-point lead to show for it.
The first drive was a quick one for the Longhorns and receiver AD Mitchell, who caught the first three pass from quarterback Quinn Ewers for a 49 yards. Texas sliced through the Jayhawks defense on an seven-play, 88-yard drive that took up just 2:45 of game clock that ended with a 30-yard touchdown run from Ewers.
Meanwhile, the Jayhawks stalled on their first two drives with a pair of punts, but got a big break on a crazy play at the start of the second quater. Bean broke free from the pocket for a long run into the Texas secondary, but fumbled after a hard hit from safety Jalen Catalon. Despite the big play from the defense, the ball rolled right toward Kansas running back Daniel Hishaw Jr. who ran it in for a 27-yard score to cut the lead to 10-7.
Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers runs past Kansas Jayhawks linebacker, left, and cornerback Mello Dotson for a touchdown in the first quarter at Royal-Memorial Stadium.
© Jay Janner, Austin American-Statesman
The Longhorns seemed prime to respond despite the fact star tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders on the sideline limping with some discomfort after spending some time in the medical tent.
On the first play of Texas' third drive, running back Jonathon Brooks busted through the defense for a 67-yard run. But the Kansas defense held strong in the red zone and forced another Texas field goal, as the Longhorns built a 13-7 lead.
Texas got the ball back in the final two minutes and looked set to hit a last-second field goal, but Ewers threw his first pick of the season on an errant pass into traffic to Kansas linebacker Cornell Wheeler.
The Longhorns will receive the second-half kickoff.
