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What Kansas football coach Lance Leipold saw on targeting calls during win against WVU

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What Kansas football coach Lance Leipold saw on targeting calls during win against WVU


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LAWRENCE — Kansas football’s 41-10 victory against West Virginia this past weekend saw a pair of players ejected due to targeting calls, one on each side.

In the second quarter, WVU nickel/safety Fred Perry was disqualified because of a hit he made on KU quarterback Jalon Daniels. In the third quarter, Jayhawks safety Devin Dye was disqualified for a hit he made on a Mountaineers running back Cyncir Bowers. Holistically, Kansas football coach Lance Leipold acknowledged Saturday the calls were made in the interest of player safety.

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But while Leipold thought Dye’s ejection was unfortunate, Perry’s led to a little longer of a conversation postgame. That’s because after the hit, some pushing and shoving ensued until players from both teams were separated. Kansas offensive lineman Kobe Baynes, who appeared to shove Perry right after the hit on Daniels, would eventually be called for a late hit.

Leipold, at one moment concerned the situation would get out of hand, was glad to see it get settled as quickly as it did. Although he understands a player’s desire to defend their teammate, he called for composure in all situations. He called it a tough situation for officials to handle.

Here are a few more takeaways from the Big 12 Conference matchup between the Jayhawks (3-1, 1-0 in Big 12) and Mountaineers (2-2, 0-1).

Why Trey Lathan was selected to be Kansas’ 4th captain for game

Kansas has three lead captains this season in Daniels, offensive lineman Bryce Foster and defensive end Justice Finkley, but each game there’s a fourth “rotational” captain who is honored as well. Against West Virginia, that individual was linebacker Trey Lathan. Lathan, who finished the game with three tackles, a sack, a tackle for loss and an interception, transferred to KU during the offseason from WVU.

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Leipold acknowledged Lathan’s past stop in his college career with the Mountaineers did play a factor in the decision. However, Lathan’s also someone he felt has been playing well and become more confident. Lathan is also someone he felt had become a more vocal leader within the defense and is well respected.

Kansas’ offensive line doesn’t allow any sacks

West Virginia’s defense collected six sacks against Pittsburgh just the week before this matchup. But by game’s end against the Jayhawks, the Mountaineers didn’t have a single sack. So, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that Leipold was pleased with the protection Kansas’ offensive line gave Daniels and for how Daniels at times escaped pressure.

On film, Leipold had seen an impressive defense that was athletic up front. It could use multiple looks and was aggressive. But KU proved capable of stymying that aspect of WVU’s defense.

West Virginia’s tempo offensively doesn’t prove to be much of a factor

Leipold thinks Kansas’ defense can get better at playing against tempo, based on what he saw against West Virginia. However, considering how well the Jayhawks played and what he heard as the game unfolded, he thought they did well. Physical play and quality tackling helped force numerous punts and stops as KU took control of the game.

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Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He was the 2022 National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.



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No Kings protests draw crowds nationwide, including in Wheeling, West Virginia

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No Kings protests draw crowds nationwide, including in Wheeling, West Virginia


Protesters lined Kruger Street and National Road in Wheeling on Saturday as part of “No Kings” demonstrations held across the country.

People were already packed along the streets before the protest began at 11:30 as participants cited rising gas prices and the controversial Iran war. Protesters chanted and voiced their opinions during the event.

Teddie Grogan said the group gathered to push back against what they see as undemocratic leadership and unnecessary conflict. “We’re here today to protest the fact that we want our country we want it run as a democracy we don’t want wars that are somebodys choice and not a necessity,” Grogan said.

Former U.S. military member Cody Cumpston also criticized the current administration and said he is frustrated by the cost of living and the direction of the country. “I’m here today because of the current administration we’re in a new war we didn’t need to be in prices are still skyrocketing I’m just tired of it I feel like they’ve forgotten all about us and they keep forgetting about us,” Cumpston said.

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Another protester, April Pascoli, said she believes many people are not aware of what the administration is doing internationally and at home. “If I don’t go to work one day and I ask people do you know what’s happening in this country? And somebody says, we’re at war right now? Really? People my age don’t even know that we have troops on the ground, that they are bombing. Bombing our bases in the middle east. Do you know that, do you realize that?” Pascoli said.



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Morrisey: Growth of Alcon in Cabell County is evidence of good times ahead for WV

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Morrisey: Growth of Alcon in Cabell County is evidence of good times ahead for WV


Alcon, an eye care device company focusing on surgical equipment and vision care products, in Lesage, Cabell County, West Virginia, announced on March 26, 2026, it is investing $81 million for a facility expansion, creating high-tech jobs and a new product. West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey attended the event to announce the investment along with other private investments made between October 2025 and March 2026.



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No. 17 West Virginia Travels to Face No. 22 Arizona State in Top-25 Weekend Series

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No. 17 West Virginia Travels to Face No. 22 Arizona State in Top-25 Weekend Series


The No. 17 West Virginia Mountaineers (17-4, 5-1) are in a top 25 road matchup and look to remain atop the Big 12 Conference standings against the No. 22 Arizona State Devils (18-6, 4-2) for a three-game weekend series. Game one is Friday night with the first pitch set for 9:30 p.m. EST (ESPN+) game two is Saturday at 9:30 p.m. EST (ESPN+) and the series finale is scheduled for Sunday night at 9:00 p.m. EST (ESPN2).

West Virginia comes into the game on a six-game winning streak after taking two of three from Baylor, sweeping BYU and knocked off Marshall Tuesday night.

Two Mountaineers reside in the top five of the Big 12 in batting averaging. Paul Schoenfeld has emerged as the Mountaineers leader at the plate, hitting a team-high .418, which ranks third in the conference with a team-best 26 RBI. The senior is currently on an 11-game hitting streak.

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Gavin Kelly is fourth in the league with a .416 batting average and is riding a 17-game hitting streak. The sophomore leads the team in hits (37), runs (28) and doubles (11).

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Senior Matthew Graveline has clubbed a team-high four home runs, while junior Armani leads the Mountaineers in stolen bases with 12.

On the mound, West Virginia is expected to start Dawson Montesa in the series opener. The junior right hander threw seven innings in his last outing against BYU, tying a season-high, with seven strikeouts. He holds 4-0 record with 4.65 ERA and 39 strikeouts.

Lefty Maxx Yehl is scheduled to move to the middle of the series after closing out each of the first six series of the season. The redshirt junior is second in the conference in ERA at .084, allowing a mere three runs in 32.0 innings of work. In the last two outings, he has recorded a combined 23 strikeouts, upping his season total to a team-leading 44 strikeouts on the season.

Chansen Cole will start game three. The right-handed sophomore had his toughest outing of the season last weekend against BYU. He allowed six earned runs in three innings, but registered six strikeouts. He is currently 3-0 with a 4.00 ERA with 29 strikeouts.

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Arizona State is 11-2 after a four-game skid against SEC opponents, and notched its series wins over TCU and Kansas State.

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Sophomore Landon Hairston leads the team with a .458 batting average, tie with fifth-year senior Dean Toigo with 11 home runs, 11 doubles, 36 runs, and 34 RBI.

Junior lefty Cole Carlon is slated to counter with Cole Carlon (2-1, 3.19 ERA), junior right-hander Alex Overbay (0-0, 5.19 ERA), is set for game two, and senior righty Kole Klecker (3-1, 5.61 ERA) is scheduled for the series finale.

This is the first meeting between the two programs.



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