Kansas coach Lance Leipold proud of team after finishing 6-6 regular season

MANHATTAN, Kan. − The rain that poured on Bill Snyder Family Stadium on Saturday night might have contributed to a couple of Jayhawk miscues, but it didn’t dampen the Kansas football team’s outlook on a 6-6 season that will end with a trip to a bowl game.

Kansas coach Lance Leipold measured his team against the Kansas State Wildcats, who used a 47-27 win to punch their ticket to the Big 12 Championship Game.

“I told the team I’m proud of them, but we’ve got a gap yet and we’ve got to continue to close it,” Leipold said. “That’s why Kansas State is going to go play for a conference championship. But I like the progress of this team. I believe in them and we’re going to close this thing out with a win.”

After starting the season 5-0, the Jayhawks skidded to a 1-6 end to the regular season. But Leipold chose to look at the big picture following the loss at Manhattan.

“The second half (of the season) has been disappointing,” Leipold said. “But if you’d sat here at any other time and think we’ll be a 6-6 football team … you know, I’m proud of this group. I’m proud of the staff. I think we’re still ahead of schedule."

The Jayhawks were resolute following the defeat at Manhattan, determined to put the loss behind them and to take advantage of the additional practice that a bowl trip will afford.

“It’s going to be big for a lot of reasons,” Leipold said. “It won’t even be seen completely this year, or maybe even next year. You start thinking about these practices, and the teams who have been consistent bowl teams year in and year out. They (benefit) from the extra practices and the extra retention and the extra time.

“That’s where, hopefully, the other part of the roster, your younger players and the scout team players, all continue to gain confidence and it helps morale. Other places I’ve been, with any type of postseason, you start to see it in years to come.”

Recap: Kansas State football holds off KU in Sunflower Showdown, 47-27

Jayhawk quarterback Jalon Daniels said the team recognizes the difference a few more weeks of practice can make.

“This program hasn’t been there in I don’t know how long,” Daniels said. “So, to be blessed to be able to play in (another) game, to take that day-to-day step, we’re going to keep preparing during these however many weeks since we don’t know the date yet.”

Kansas hasn’t played in a bowl game since 2008, and it won’t learn its destination for a few days at least. This year’s Jayhawks finished tied for seventh in the Big 12 with a 3-6 mark.

A special teams disadvantage led to poor field position Saturday. The Jayhawks muffed a long punt inside their 10-yard line on their first possession, resulting in a quick Kansas State score. Wildcat punter Ty Zentner flipped the field numerous times, and Malik Knowles gave Kansas State advantageous field position with several long returns.

“We got beat in every area of special teams,” Leipold said. “We punt for 38 yards, they punt for 62.7. You can look at return yards too. There’s a lot of hidden yards there for (Kansas State). Credit to them.”

Kansas State tops Kansas in Sunflower Showdown, 47-27: Three takeaways

The Wildcats outgained the Jayhawks 443 yards to 307. Leipold said that the Jayhawks failed to prevent big plays when necessary. He pointed particularly to the running game. Spearheaded by Deuce Vaughn and receiver Knowles, who ran for two touchdowns, the Wildcats outrushed the Jayhawks 230 yards to 127.

“Obviously, Vaughn made some big plays,” Leipold said. “The fly sweep plays were huge for them. It’s a matter of consistency, making plays at the first and second level before they get to the third level. They’re all dangerous in space, and we’ve got to continue to improve in that area.”

Still, Leipold praised his team’s effort.

“I’m proud of the way we competed,” Leipold said. “I thought we had some opportunities. Credit Kansas State. They made big plays when they need to. They swung the momentum. Every time it seemed we’d get a little momentum somewhere they answered it with a big play or a score or they flipped the field position.

“Overall, I thought it was one of our better overall performances from the last few weeks. But again, they made a lot more plays than we did.”

Despite the miscues and poor field position, the Jayhawks kept fighting back. After trailing 23-7 at the end of the first period, Kansas sliced the Wildcat lead to 30-21 at halftime. A Jayhawk touchdown early in the fourth period closed the gap to 37-27.

“That shows the grit of this team and it shows the growth of this program,” said Jayhawk safety Kenny Logan, Jr. “That’s what we’re going to do, try to make sure we go out for four quarters and no one will question if we’re going to play hard or if we’re going to finish a game.”

Showing an extreme amount of grit was Kansas running back Devin Neal, who left the game numerous times due to nagging injuries. Yet Neal finished the game with 69 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns.

“He’s barely practicing,” Leipold said of Neal. “He puts himself together and goes out and battles again."

Leipold revealed that injuries to other backs forced the Jayhawks to utilize utility man Torry Locklin in the backfield, as well as to rely heavily on the beaten-down Neal.

“No excuses. But we’ve got what we’ve got right now,” Leipold said. “(Sevion) Morrison misses three days sick, Ky Thomas is unavailable. So we moved Torry Locklin to running back. Devin’s holding it together.

“It is what it is at this stage of the game. Those are the reasons I’m proud of these guys, because I know what they’re dealing with.”

The Jayhawks forced the championship-bound Wildcats to battle for a full four quarters. Yet Leipold wasn’t declaring moral victories after the game.

“I’m not going to judge that right now, whether (the gap) is closing. I’ll let some of you who have watched that over the years tell me if it’s closing,” Leipold said. “I like the direction of our program.

“I think Chris (Kleiman, Kansas State’s head coach) does a hell of a job. He’s got a fine staff and he’s got some very talented players. The score doesn’t show that a gap’s been narrowed, so I can’t comment on it until we actually prove it.”

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas football coach Lance Leipold proud of team after 2022 season