Three Thoughts on Kansas’ 49-36 Win Over UNLV in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl
The regular season is in the books and now it is time for bowl season. Nine Big 12 teams will be playing over the next two weeks and Kansas is next up on the bowl list. The Jayhawks finished the regular season with an 8-4 record and played UNLV in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl. It was a fun evening in Phoenix as Kansas was looking to win their first bowl game since 2008. Here are my three thoughts on Kansas’ 49-36 win over UNLV on Tuesday night.
Flags, Flags, and More Flags
I do my best to not talk about officiating here but when it has a significant impact on the game then I don’t really have a choice here. Since I have been covering the Big 12, I don’t think I have ever seen 26 flags in a single game. Coming into Tuesday night, the Jayhawks had a total of 55 penalties. Against UNLV, Kansas was flagged 18 times for 210 yards. That is insane. In fact, even Kansas head coach Lance Leipold had something to say about the officiating at halftime.
Instead of calling it the Guaranteed Rate Bowl it should have been changed to the Flag Bowl because all I saw on the field was yellow everywhere. I know Christmas is over, but those refs should get coal in their stocking next year because they were really bad.
Fly Jayhawks Fly
When in doubt, let Jason Bean make a play. Bean completed just 19 passes against UNLV, but he ended up throwing for 449 yards and six touchdowns on the evening. While he may have turned the ball over a few times, this offense wouldn’t have put up almost 50 without him. He didn’t get phased at all when he made a mistake and just kept on playing. His favorite targets were Lawrence Arnold and Luke Grimm who combined for 192 yards and six scores. UNLV had no answer for the Kansas air attack, and it was quite the show offensively. It’s funny considering Kansas came in as one of the best rushing teams in the country and that was overshadowed by the passing game on Tuesday night.
In Lance We Trust
I don’t think people realize just how great of a job Lance Leipold has down in Lawrence. When he took over back in 2021, He took a program that was a doormat for other Big 12 teams for the last ten years. Now he has made this a respectable program in the conference and has taken them to back-to-back bowl games for the first time in 15 years. With the win over UNLV, Kansas now has their first bowl win since the 2008. He did all this in less than three full years on the job, which makes what he’s done even more impressive.
Since 1996, Kansas has won nine or more games just twice and one of those times was this season. Between what Kansas has coming back next season, the stadium renovation as well as new facilities, there is a lot to be excited about when it comes to Kansas football. And I can’t remember the last time I could say that.
