Shanna Rose | WV Sports Chat
LAWRENCE, Kan.- Kan- From the opening snap, Kansas dominated West Virginia in a 41-10 rout Saturday night at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.
The Mountaineers (2-2, 0-1 Big 12) sputtered early, going three-and-out on their first four drives before finally picking up a first down.
Jayhawks quarterback Jalon Daniels led the charge, throwing three touchdown passes and finishing with 138 yards through the air while adding 69 yards rushing. Running back Leshon Williams powered the ground game with 129 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries
With the victory, Kansas improved to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in conference play..
WVU starter Nicco Marchiol completed 15 of 27 passes for 126 yards and an interception before being replaced by Jaylen Henderson in the third quarter.
Daniels put Kansas on the board early, finding Levi Wentz for a 41-yard touchdown at the 11:57 mark of the first quarter. In the second, he connected with Williams on a 39-yard scoring strike to extend the lead to 17-3 with just over two minutes left. Laith Marjan’s 44-yard field goal at the end of the half gave the Jayhawks a 20-3 cushion.
The momentum carried into the third quarter when Emmanuel Henderson Jr. returned the opening kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown, stretching the lead to 27-3. Daniels later hit Boden Groenm for a 7-yard touchdown to push the margin even further.
Former WVU linebacker Trey Lathan added to the frustration, intercepting Marchiol and returning it 32 yards into Mountaineer territory. However, WVU’s defense kept the Jayhawks from scoring.
The Mountaineers finally broke through in the fourth quarter with a 13-yard touchdown run by Henderson, cutting the deficit to 34-10. But Williams quickly answered for Kansas, breaking free for a 62-yard touchdown run, dodging five would-be tacklers on the way to sealing the 41-10 win.
West Virginia returns home next Saturday to host Utah at 3:30 p.m. on FOX.
Photo Credit: WVU Athletics
