Kansas, Texas Tech face each other in disappointing seasons

LUBBOCK (AP) — Kansas has received just one Massive 12 sport in its two seasons beneath coach Les Miles, a late comeback at dwelling final yr with a game-ending discipline purpose towards Texas Tech.

The Crimson Raiders in some ways have been extra disappointing in coach Matt Wells’ two seasons, even with just a few extra wins than Kansas in that span.

Texas Tech (3-6, 2-6 Massive 12) closes out its fifth consecutive shedding season Saturday in a house finale towards the Jayhawks (0-8, 0-7), a sport Wells might miss after receiving a optimistic COVID-19 take a look at on Thursday.

If the optimistic result’s confirmed by additional testing, defensive coordinator Keith Patterson could be the performing head coach Saturday. Wells returned dwelling to self-isolate and work remotely.

Wells is 7-14 since taking on the Crimson Raiders, who after a giant comeback of their very own to beat Baylor on a game-ending discipline purpose of their final dwelling sport three weeks in the past lost 50-44 at No. 19 Oklahoma State final week.

“I believe there’s a number of proof on the market proper now that we’re actually shut, due to the way in which we’re enjoying a number of these groups,” Wells mentioned earlier this week. “Now we’re not right here on this program to play shut video games, and we perceive that, and the locker room understands it greater than anyone. … There’s completely a number of perception and combat in that, and I believe all people noticed that on Saturday.”

The Crimson Raiders took a 24-21 lead halfway by way of the third quarter on Alan Bowman’s 48-yard landing move to Erik Ezukanma. They tried to construct on the momentum with an onside kick try, however Oklahoma State as a substitute returned it 48 yards for a landing, then returned an interception for an additional rating.

Kansas has performed 26 true freshmen this season who weren’t a part of Miles’ solely Massive 12 victory. No different college has performed greater than 21 true freshmen on this pandemic-affected season when gamers don’t lose a season of eligibility even when they get on the sphere. Six freshmen began on offense final week towards TCU.

The Jayhawks have a 12-game shedding streak since that 37-34 win over Texas Tech on Oct. 26, 2019.

“I believe that is probably the most resilient workforce that I’ve ever had,” Miles mentioned. “I believe they go onto the sphere with the chance to win, I believe if they might preserve that feeling for the size of the time of the 4 quarters, I like our possibilities.”

LONG ROAD

The Jayhawks haven’t received a Massive 12 highway sport since profitable 35-33 at Iowa State on Oct. 4, 2008. They haven’t received in Lubbock since an extra time victory in 2001.

NOT FORGETTING

Texas Tech led Kansas 17-0 earlier than halftime final yr and 34-27 with 6 minutes left. That needs to be loads to maintain the Crimson Raiders from overlooking the Jayhawks.

“Placed on the tape from final yr,” Wells mentioned. “We keep in mind. We keep in mind that sport in Lawrence actually good. That is all about us, how we put together, how we follow.”

STUCK ON THE SIDELINE

Texas Tech’s offense had three drives throughout a greater than 6 1/2-minute span in that third quarter towards Oklahoma State. In actual time, it was for much longer for the Crimson Raiders protection that stayed on the sideline whereas each groups scored two touchdowns.

“My guess was it was 30-35 minutes of actual time they didn’t play,” Wells mentioned. “Once they left the sport, we had been down 21-17, after they got here again we had been down 34-31, so we truly gained a degree.”

Oklahoma State punted with simply over 9 minutes left within the third quarter, and its offense didn’t come again on the sphere till 2:25 left after Xavier White’s 70-yard TD run for the Crimson Raiders that adopted the Cowboys’ back-to-back non-offensive TDs.

“I’ve been a part of some wild ones, however I’m undecided I’ve been a part of one which was as bizarre as that,” Wells mentioned.

One other oddity in that sport: the Crimson Raiders had a season-high 639 whole yards and scored 44 factors with out taking a single offensive snap contained in the 20.

SCORING STREAK

The Crimson Raiders want to attain at the least 25 factors of their finale to common 30 factors a sport for the twentieth consecutive season. Their 19 in a row is the longest energetic streak within the Massive 12.