Turnovers Cost Jayhawks In 6-3 Loss To North Dakota State

Sept. 4, 2010

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Postgame Video: Gill | Pick | Patterson

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LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas committed three turnovers, including a fumble with less than four minutes to play, as it opened the 2010 football season with a 6-3 loss at the hands of North Dakota State. KU committed two fumbles and had a pass intercepted in the end zone, as it suffered a season-opening loss for the first time since 2003.

The Jayhawk defense held North Dakota State to just 168 total yards and 10 first downs, but KU was penalized eight times for 70 yards several of which extended NDSU drives. The Kansas offense out-gained NDSU 293-168, but was stalled by its’ three turnovers.

KU got on the board first, scoring its only points on a 25-yard field goal by senior kicker Jacob Branstetter with 1:58 to play in the first quarter. Branstetter’s field goal was set up by a 51-yard run by junior wide receiver Daymond Patterson on a reverse. It was Patterson’s first career rush. He finished the game as KU’s leading rusher with three carries for 63 yards.

North Dakota State blocked a punt by KU senior Alonso Rojas early in the second quarter, getting the ball at the Jayhawk 10 yard line, but an interception in the end zone by junior cornerback Isiah Barfield thwarted the Bison scoring attempt.

NDSU benefitted from a Kansas personal foul penalty on its next possession, and evened the score at 3-3 on a 44-yard field goal by junior kicker Ryan Jastram with 3:20 to play in the second frame.

Kansas attempted to retake the lead on a 52-yard field goal attempt by Branstetter with 34 seconds left in the half, but the Lawton, Okla., native’s kick fell short.

Jastram scored what would turn out to be the game-winning field goal with 8:04 to play in the third quarter. A fumble by Kansas junior tight end Tim Biere at the KU 45-yard line gave the Bison the ball with good field position and after collecting three first downs by running the ball, NDSU scored on a 32-yard field goal.

Patterson was the bright spot on the Kansas offense as he caught four passes for 66 yards, in addition to leading KU on the ground. Sophomore wide receiver Bradley McDougald caught two passes for 41 yards, while senior wide receiver Johnathan Wilson caught a team-high six passes for 25 yards.

Sophomore quarterback Kale Pick started the game under center, before being replaced by redshirt freshman quarterback Jordan Webb midway through the fourth quarter. Pick finished the game with 138 yards passing as he connected on 13-of-22 passes. He tossed one interception and was sacked twice. Webb collected 59 yards through the air off of 6-of-11 passing. He was also sacked twice.

Junior linebacker Steven Johnson led the Jayhawk defense with nine tackles, including five solos. Senior linebacker Justin Springer had seven tackles, while Barfield and senior safety Olaitan Oguntodu each added five.

Sophomore wide receiver D.J. Beshears returned two kick offs for 84 yards, including a 49-yard return. Beshears also had three rushes for 14 yards.

The Jayhawks will return to the field Saturday, Sept. 11, when they play host to No. 16 Georgia Tech. Kick off is scheduled for 11 a.m., with a live broadcast on Fox Sports Net.