Arkansas Outlasts Kansas in Triple Overtime at AutoZone Liberty Bowl

Field Rating | Recap | Postgame Notes

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Kansas got here again from a 25-point deficit to pressure time beyond regulation within the sixty fourth AutoZone Liberty Bowl, however got here up quick in three overtimes, falling 55-53 to Arkansas in a thriller.

Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels set a plethora of single-game and KU bowl data, main the Jayhawks again from a 25-point deficit to pressure time beyond regulation. Kansas scored the final 25 factors of regulation, together with an 18-0 benefit within the fourth quarter to pressure time beyond regulation after trailing 38-13 with 8:43 to play within the third quarter. The Jayhawks pressured a turnover, recovered an onside kick and scored two touchdowns within the closing 1:05 to tie the sport at 38-all.

Daniels, who turned the primary Kansas quarterback to ever prime the 500-yard mark, set the Kansas single-game faculty document for passing yards (544) and yards of complete offense (565), setting new AutoZone Liberty Bowl data for each as effectively. Daniels additionally set the Liberty Bowl document for landing passes with 5, which is a KU bowl document and matches the second-most in class historical past for a single recreation. Daniels completed the sport 37-for-55 for 544 yards and 5 touchdowns whereas including 21 yards and a landing on 14 speeding makes an attempt.

Daniels was named KU’s Excellent Offensive Participant, whereas OJ Burroughs, with eight tackles and an interception, earned the Excellent Defensive Participant honor.

Arkansas scored halfway via the third quarter to go up 38-13, however momentum swung the best way of the Jayhawks after that. KU lined 86 yards in simply 5 performs on its subsequent drive, utilizing lengthy receptions from large receiver Luke Grimm and Mason Fairchild to get into place for working again Ky Thomas to attain on a two-yard landing run. The landing from Thomas, his second rating of the sport and second speeding landing of the season, put the Jayhawks down 38-20 on the finish of the third quarter.

Kansas had possession close to the Arkansas pink zone firstly of the fourth quarter and ended the drive with a 37-yard discipline aim from Owen Piepergerdes, which made it 38-23 with 14:07 to play. Issues appeared bleak for the Jayhawks after they turned it over on downs with 3:52 to play, however the protection got here up  large with a turnover to once more swing momentum. Marvin Grant pressured a fumble that was recovered by Cobee Bryant and returned 37 yards, giving the Jayhawks new life with 2:43 to play.

Daniels led the Jayhawks down the sphere in seven performs and located Douglas Emilien for a 10-yard landing to make it 38-30 with 1:05 to play. On the following kickoff, security Kenny Logan made the onside restoration for the Jayhawks, giving KU an opportunity to tie the sport within the closing minute. That’s precisely what occurred as Daniels once more led his group proper down the sphere and scored on a 21-yard landing move to Grimm with 41 seconds to play. Needing a two-point conversion to tie the sport, the Jayhawks went for it and Daniels discovered Lawrence Arnold for the conversion to finish the comeback.

Arkansas had time for 5 performs, however they solely crossed midfield on the ultimate play as time ran out in regulation.

In time beyond regulation, Kansas obtained the ball first and scored on fourth and aim from the two-yard line as Daniels discovered Jared Casey to present the Jayhawks a 45-38 lead, KU’s first lead since 7-3 within the first quarter. Arkansas wanted simply two performs to tie the sport at 45-all, sending the sport right into a second time beyond regulation.

The Razorbacks obtained the ball first in double time beyond regulation and once more scored in two performs, taking a 53-45 lead after a profitable two-point conversion. Daniels scored on a two-yard landing run, establishing for a vital two-point play to tie the sport. On KU’s try, Daniels once more rushed the ball and was stopped quick, however Arkansas was flagged for focusing on, giving the Jayhawks a second likelihood. KU made essentially the most of it as Daniels once more discovered Casey within the flat to tie the sport at 53-53.

Triple time beyond regulation meant two-point makes an attempt solely, with Arkansas going first. The Razorbacks have been profitable on their try, whereas Kansas’ fell incomplete to finish the Jayhawks longest bowl recreation in historical past.

Kansas set new bowl recreation data for first downs (32), move makes an attempt (56), move completions (37), landing passes (5), complete offense performs (90), and complete offense yards (603).

Daniels led the best way offensively with a single-game faculty document 544 passing yards and 5 passing touchdowns, breaking the earlier document of 498 yards by Todd Reesing in opposition to Missouri on Nov. 28, 2009. He additionally set a brand new single-game faculty document with 565 yards of complete offense, surpassing the mark of 509 set by Mike Norseth in opposition to Vanderbilt on Sept. 9, 1985.

Kansas had two receivers over the century mark as Grimm had career-highs of 10 receptions and 167 yards and a landing, whereas Lawrence Arnold had eight receptions for 119 yards. Fairchild, Thomas, Casey and Emilien every had landing receptions as 11 completely different Jayhawks caught a move from Daniels within the win.