Jayhawks Welcome Wildcats to Lawrence for Dillons Sunflower Showdown

LAWRENCE, Kan. – The Kansas Jayhawks are set to host the Kansas State Wildcats for the 123^rd rendition of the Dillons Sunflower Showdown on Saturday at the reimagined David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. The longstanding in-state rivalry will kick off at 11 a.m., on TNT/truTV/HBO Max with JB Long, Mike Golic Jr., and Coy Wire on the call.

The Jayhawks enter the mid-season matchup coming off their second open week of the season. The Jayhawks sit at 4-3 overall and 2-2 in Big 12 play just past the midway point of the season. The Wildcats also enjoyed their second open date of the season last weekend and last played on Oct. 11, when they topped visiting TCU 41-28 in Manhattan.

Kansas enters the matchup having won three of their first four games this season at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, picking up wins over Fresno State, Wagner and West Virginia. The Jayhawks have been led by quarterback Jalon Daniels, who has 18 touchdown passes to just two interceptions through seven games this season. His 18 touchdown passes rank tied for sixth in the country and he's one of just three signal-callers in the country with 18 or more touchdowns and two or fewer interceptions.

The 18 touchdown passes from Daniels already match his career high, which was established in 2022. All total, he has completed 138-of-186 passes for 1,752 yards. The 18 touchdown passes already rank tied for fifth for most touchdown passes in a season in school history. He will move into a tie for fourth with four more. Daniels also has 226 rushing yards and a touchdown to his credit this season.

Senior wideout Emmanuel Henderson Jr., has emerged as Daniels' top target with 31 catches for 530 yards and four touchdowns on the season. Tight end Boden Groen has also been a standout in his first season with the Jayhawks, collecting 25 catches for 310 yards and three touchdowns. Leshon Williams leads the ground attack, with the running back rushing for 309 yards and five touchdowns in six games this season.

Defensively, linebacker Trey Lathan continues to lead the way for Kansas with 49 total tackles, six tackles-for-loss, 1.5 sacks, one interception and three pass breakups. He's complemented by linebacker Bangally Kamara, who leads the team with eight tackles-for-loss, despite missing a game and a half. Defensive end Leroy Harris III leads the squad with 4.5 sacks.

On the other side of the ball will be a Kansas State team that has won two of its last three games with the one loss going as a one-point loss on the road at Baylor. The Wildcats are 3-4 overall and 2-2 in Big 12 play. The Wildcats are led by quarterback Avery Johnson, who has 1,561 passing yards and 13 touchdowns this season to go with 238 rushing yards and three scores. Receiver Jayce Brown leads the Wildcats with 32 catches for 417 yards and three touchdowns.

Austin Romaine is leading the K-State defense for a second-straight season and has 49 tackles, 4.5 tackles-for-loss and two pass breakups as he's putting together another strong season. The same is true for linebacker Des Purnell, who has 37 tackles, 3.5 tackles-for-loss and a pair of interceptions.

Following the matchup with K-State, Kansas will host its second-straight home game when Oklahoma State visits for Homecoming on Nov. 1.

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Players Mentioned

Jalon Daniels

Boden Groen

Leroy Harris III

Emmanuel Henderson Jr.

Bangally Kamara

Trey Lathan

Leshon Williams

University of Kansas Athletics