Jayhawks Edged by Texas A&M 21-18
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Senior Jon Cornish rushed for 123 yards and junior Scott Webb hit three field goals, but it was not enough for the University of Kansas (3-3, 0-2 Big 12) to pull out a Homecoming win against Texas A&M (5-1, 1-1 Big 12), as the Jayhawks lost 21-18.
Jorvorskie Lane’s second touchdown run of the day with 36 seconds remaining lifted the Aggies to the come-from-behind victory over the Jayhawks Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium.
The Jayhawks took a 7-0 lead on their opening drive when quarterback Adam Barmann hit wide receiver Dexton Fields on a quick out for a six-yard scoring strike. Barmann finished the game 13-of-31 for 127 yards and the score. Cornish, who rushed for over 100 yards in the second half, notched his fifth 100-yard game of the season on 23 carries.
The touchdown was set up by a 48-yard reception by junior Brandon McAnderson on a fake punt. McAnderson received a shovel pass from junior Kyle Tucker and raced around the left end for to the Texas A&M eight-yard line, the junior fullback’s longest career reception. McAnderson was KU’s top receiver, grabbing three passes for 57 yards.
The Jayhawks stretched the lead to 10-0 on Webb’s 33-yard field goal in the final minute of the first quarter. Texas A&M responded with a 12-play, 74-yard drive that culminated in a one-yard plunge by Lane midway through the first half to make the game, 10-7, at halftime.
In the second half, the Jayhawks penetrated the Aggies’ 25-yard line twice and came away with a pair of Webb field goals. The junior kicker matched a career high with his three field goals. Webb hit his third field goal of the day, a 28-yard effort, to extend the Jayhawks’ lead to 18-7 late in the third quarter.
On the first play of the fourth quarter, Texas A&M quarterback Stephen McGee brought the Aggies to within, 18-13, on a two-yard scoring plunge. However, KU stuffed the Aggie quarterback on the two-point try to hold the lead at five.
In the final three minutes, the Aggies punctuated their final drive of the day with Lane’s plunge. Tight end Joey Thomas caught the two-point conversion from McGee for the margin of victory.
On defense, senior safety Jerome Kemp led the Jayhawks with 11 tackles and a sack. Freshmen Justin Thornton and Anthony Webb each added 10 tackles while sophomore Mike Rivera had three tackles for a loss.
KU will look to bounce back when it plays host to Oklahoma State next Saturday. Kick off from Memorial Stadium is set for 1 p.m.
