In-Depth Analysis of Houston Cougars vs KU Football Match Player Stats
Introduction
The college football clash between the Houston Cougars and the Kansas Jayhawks on October 19, 2024, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium was a critical Big 12 Conference matchup. Both teams entered the game with 2-5 records, with Kansas desperate to snap a five-game losing streak and Houston looking to build on a recent upset win over TCU. This article provides a detailed breakdown of the Houston Cougars vs KU football match player stats, offering insights into the individual performances that shaped the game’s outcome. With Kansas securing a decisive 42-14 victory, the player stats reveal the key factors behind their dominance and Houston’s struggles.
Team Overviews
Houston Cougars
The Houston Cougars, coached by Willie Fritz, had a 2-5 overall record and a 1-3 mark in Big 12 play entering the game. Their season had been inconsistent, but a surprising victory over TCU two weeks prior gave them hope. The Cougars relied heavily on quarterback Donovan Smith and a versatile receiving corps, but their rushing game and defense had been areas of concern.
Kansas Jayhawks
Led by head coach Lance Leipold, the Kansas Jayhawks also stood at 2-5 overall and 1-3 in conference play. Despite high expectations for a College Football Playoff run, Kansas had struggled to close out games, losing five straight before this matchup. Quarterback Jalon Daniels and running back Devin Neal were the cornerstones of their offense, with a defense capable of creating turnovers.
Game Summary
The Houston Cougars vs KU football match player stats reflect a game where Kansas took control early and never relinquished it. The Jayhawks opened with a 15-play, 71-yard drive, culminating in a 2-yard touchdown pass from Jalon Daniels to Jared Casey. A quick 48-yard touchdown pass to Quentin Skinner gave Kansas a 14-0 lead after the first quarter. Houston responded in the second quarter with a 23-yard touchdown pass from Donovan Smith to Stacy Sneed, making it 14-7. However, Kansas answered with another touchdown pass from Daniels to Casey and a 2-yard rushing touchdown by Devin Neal, leading 28-7 at halftime. Houston’s only other score came on a 52-yard pass from Smith to Mekhi Mews. Kansas sealed the game in the fourth quarter with two more touchdowns, including an 8-yard run by Daniels and a 5-yard run by Neal, resulting in a 42-14 final score.
Player Stats Analysis
The Houston Cougars vs KU football match player stats provide a clear picture of the individual contributions that defined this game. Below is a detailed breakdown of the key performers for both teams.
Houston Cougars
Quarterbacks
- Donovan Smith: Completed 15 of 24 passes for 173 yards, throwing 2 touchdowns but also 3 interceptions, which significantly impacted Houston’s chances. He added 45 yards on 14 rushing attempts, showing some mobility but not enough to offset his turnovers.
- Ui Ale: Threw 3 of 5 passes for 38 yards, with no touchdowns or interceptions. His limited role suggests a conservative approach by the coaching staff.
- Zeon Chriss: Completed 3 of 4 passes for 26 yards but threw 1 interception. He also had 2 carries for -2 yards, indicating minimal impact.
Running Backs
- DJ Butler: Led the team with 3 carries for 28 yards, averaging 9.3 yards per carry, but his limited attempts reflect Houston’s struggling ground game.
- ReShaun Sanford: Gained 14 yards on 3 carries and had 1 reception for -5 yards, showing limited involvement.
- Stacy Sneed: Rushed for 10 yards on 3 carries but was more effective as a receiver, catching 2 passes for 26 yards and a touchdown.
- Jmarion Burnette: Managed 8 yards on 3 carries, with minimal impact on the game.
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends
- Mekhi Mews: Was Houston’s standout performer, catching 6 passes for 99 yards and a touchdown, including a 52-yard score. He also had 1 carry for -2 yards.
- Devan Williams: Caught 3 passes for 36 yards, providing some support but lacking big plays.
- Joseph Manjack: Had 3 receptions for 27 yards, showing consistency but no game-changing moments.
- Stacy Sneed: Added 2 receptions for 26 yards and a touchdown, demonstrating versatility.
- Maliq Carr: Caught 2 passes for 16 yards, while Traville Frederick and Jayshon Ridgle had 1 reception each for 5 and 6 yards, respectively.
- Jonah Wilson: Recorded 1 reception for 0 yards, with no significant contribution.
Kicking and Punting
- Jack Martin: Made both extra-point attempts (2/2) but did not attempt any field goals.
- Liam Dougherty: Punted twice for an average of 36.0 yards, with no notable impact.
Kansas Jayhawks
Quarterback
- Jalon Daniels: Delivered a stellar performance, completing 16 of 21 passes for 247 yards and 3 touchdowns with no interceptions. He also rushed 7 times for 58 yards and a touchdown, showcasing his dual-threat prowess.
Running Backs
- Devin Neal: Was the backbone of Kansas’s ground game, rushing 15 times for 108 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also had 1 reception for 1 yard.
- Daniel Hishaw Jr.: Contributed 64 yards on 10 carries, providing a strong secondary option.
- Dylan McDuffie: Gained 39 yards on 4 carries and had 1 reception for 1 yard.
- Sevion Morrison: Rushed for 10 yards on 2 carries, while Dylan Warlick added 1 yard on 1 carry.
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends
- Quentin Skinner: Led the receiving corps with 3 receptions for 84 yards and a touchdown, including a 48-yard score that shifted momentum.
- Jared Casey: Caught 3 passes for 32 yards and 2 touchdowns, proving to be a reliable red-zone target.
- Lawrence Arnold: Had 2 receptions for 40 yards, contributing to Kansas’s balanced attack.
- Trevor Kardell: Caught 2 passes for 29 yards, while Luke Grimm had 2 receptions for 26 yards.
- Mason Fairchild: Recorded 1 reception for 15 yards, and Doug Emilien had 1 for 11 yards.
Kicking and Punting
- Tabor Allen: Made all six extra-point attempts (6/6), contributing to Kansas’s scoring efficiency.
- Punting stats were not detailed in the available data, but Kansas’s overall performance suggests effective special teams play.
Comparative Analysis
The Houston Cougars vs KU football match player stats highlight Kansas’s superior execution across all phases of the game. Jalon Daniels was nearly flawless, completing 76.2% of his passes for 247 yards and 3 touchdowns, while his 58 rushing yards and a touchdown made him a constant threat. Devin Neal’s 108 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns complemented Daniels, giving Kansas a balanced attack that amassed 467 total yards.
In contrast, Houston’s offense struggled with consistency. Donovan Smith’s 173 passing yards and 2 touchdowns were overshadowed by his 3 interceptions, which handed Kansas short fields and scoring opportunities. The Cougars’ rushing game was ineffective, totaling just 98 yards, with no back exceeding 30 yards. Mekhi Mews was a bright spot with 99 receiving yards and a touchdown, but the rest of the receiving corps couldn’t match Kansas’s depth.
Defensively, Kansas’s ability to force 4 interceptions was a game-changer, with players like Cobee Bryant making key plays. Houston’s defense struggled to contain Kansas’s explosive plays, allowing 8.6 yards per play compared to their own 5.2. The Houston Cougars vs KU football match player stats underscore how Kansas’s efficiency and turnover advantage led to their dominant victory.
Team Statistics Comparison
| Category | Houston Cougars | Kansas Jayhawks |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 335 | 467 |
| Passing Yards | 237 | 247 |
| Completions/Attempts | 21/33 | 16/21 |
| Yards Per Pass | 7.2 | 11.8 |
| Passing TDs | 2 | 3 |
| Rushing Yards | 98 | 220 |
| Rushing Attempts | 32 | 33 |
| Yards Per Rush | 3.1 | 6.7 |
| Rushing TDs | 0 | 3 |
| Turnovers | 4 (0 fumbles, 4 INTs) | 0 |
| Time of Possession | 31:41 | 28:19 |
| 3rd Down Conversions | 5/14 (35.7%) | 3/7 (42.9%) |
| 4th Down Conversions | 2/4 (50.0%) | 1/1 (100.0%) |
Conclusion
The Houston Cougars vs KU football match player stats tell a story of contrasting performances. Kansas’s balanced offense, led by Jalon Daniels’ exceptional passing and rushing, and Devin Neal’s dominant ground game, overwhelmed Houston’s defense. The Jayhawks’ ability to force four interceptions while avoiding turnovers themselves was a decisive factor in their 42-14 victory. For Houston, Mekhi Mews and Stacy Sneed provided offensive highlights, but Donovan Smith’s turnovers and a lackluster rushing attack hindered their efforts. This win could serve as a turning point for Kansas as they aim to finish the season strong, while Houston must address their ball security and defensive issues to compete in the Big 12.
FAQs
- Who was the standout player in the Houston Cougars vs KU football match player stats?
Jalon Daniels was the standout for Kansas, accounting for 247 passing yards, 3 passing touchdowns, 58 rushing yards, and 1 rushing touchdown. - How did Houston’s quarterback perform in the game?
Donovan Smith threw for 173 yards and 2 touchdowns but had 3 interceptions, which significantly impacted Houston’s chances. - What was the final score of the Houston Cougars vs KU football match?
Kansas won 42-14 against Houston. - Which Houston player had the most receiving yards?
Mekhi Mews led Houston with 6 receptions for 99 yards and a touchdown. - How did turnovers affect the Houston Cougars vs KU football match player stats?
Houston’s 4 interceptions were critical, as they gave Kansas short fields and scoring opportunities, while Kansas had no turnovers. - Who scored the touchdowns for Kansas in the game?
Jalon Daniels (1 rushing), Devin Neal (2 rushing), Jared Casey (2 receiving), and Quentin Skinner (1 receiving) scored Kansas’s touchdowns. - What was the key difference in the Houston Cougars vs KU football match player stats?
Kansas’s efficiency (11.8 yards per pass, 6.7 yards per rush) and zero turnovers contrasted with Houston’s 4 interceptions and weaker rushing game (3.1 yards per rush).
Citations:
- The Athletic – Game Stats
- ESPN – Game Summary
- FOX Sports – Box Score
About the Author
