Kansas Jayhawks vs Texas Longhorns was a Crazy Upset with Jayhawks with the Win in OT

Saturday, November 13, 2021

There weren’t too many upsets in the football world this weekend. After last week’s crazy upsets, we were due a weekend of favorites winning. But one game that bucked the trend was Kansas (+30.5) winning outright in OT against Texas. It was a back-and-forth shootout that saw the Jayhawks get their sixth conference win in the last 10 years. So just how was Kansas able to pull off this incredible upset?

Well it certainly was not because of their defense as both teams eclipsed the 50 point mark. Kansas came out of the gate swinging. They scored on their first drive and forced a fumble when the Longhorns got the ball. The Jayhawks were able to capitalize on the turnover and punch in another touchdown. It was 14-0 before Texas could get their bearings. 

The Longhorns answered though with two unanswered TD’s of their own. This is something the Kansas fans had to see coming. Especially after getting their hearts ripped out by Oklahoma a couple weeks ago. But the Jayhawks weren’t dead yet. They responded with three unanswered touchdowns and took a 35-14 lead into the half. 

Texas came out in the second half and found the endzone on a Casey Thompson one-yard rush. That was one of the seven touchdowns Thompson was responsible for on the night. Kansas got the ball back and orchestrated a four play, 75 yard drive that was capped off by a 10 yard run for a score by running back Devin Neal. That was the second of four total touchdowns for the Kansas freshman. Not to be outdone, Texas scored two straight touchdowns to cut the lead to seven going into the fourth, but not final, frame. 

Kansas added to their lead on a pass from QB Jalon Daniels. Jayhawks lead 49-35 with eight minutes left. Knowing they needed an answer, Texas marched down the field, covering 91 yards on 11 plays, and cut the lead back to seven. But they still had work to do. Kansas got the ball back with a little more than a minute left. One first down and the game is over. Surprisingly, the Texas defense was able to come up with a stop and forced a three and out and a Kansas punt. The Jayhawks were only able to take 26 seconds off the clock. 

Punt returner D’Shawn Jamison returned the, already short, punt 25 yards to the Kansas 34 yard line. With just 44 seconds remaining, Texas was in great field position. Thompson connected with Roschon Johnson for a nine yard pickup on first down. Thompson’s next pass fell to the turf. On third down, however, Thompson found his tight end Cade Brewer for a 25 yard touchdown with 22 seconds left. The extra point was good and they headed to overtime in Austin. 

The Longhorns got the ball first in the extra frame and found the endzone with relative ease. Texas had their first lead of the game in OT.  Devin Neal found the endzone again to bring Kansas to within one. It was decision time for Jayhawks coach Lance Leipold. Would they kick the extra point and go for double OT? Or would they take control over their own fate and go for the win? Leipold ultimately chose to go for the win. QB Jalon Daniels, who was filling in for injured starter Jason Bean, scrambled and found full back Jared Casey in the endzone to clinch the victory for Kansas. A crazy end to an even crazier game. 

With the win, the Jayhawks were finally able to end their 56 game conference road losing streak. As for Texas, I’m not really sure where they go from here. A once promising season has gone down the drain after losing their fifth game in a row. This is the first time the Longhorns have lost five straight since 1956. Surely head coach Steve Sarkisian’s seat isn’t too hot yet strictly because it is his first season with the team. But if they don’t win soon, it might be a one-and-done year for Sark. Texas fans might be just as crazy as Vol fans.

---

* All odds provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.