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How Arizona Can Limit Kansas’ Rushing Attack

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How Arizona Can Limit Kansas’ Rushing Attack


Arizona and Kansas are both vying for the sixth win of the season on Saturday, qualifying for a bowl game and showing improvement after missing out on the postseason in 2024.

The Wildcats would like to keep some momentum going after throttling Colorado last weekend. Earning bowl eligibility in front of a sold-out crowd for homecoming in Tucson is a perfect way to do so.

Nov 23, 2024; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Brent Brennan walks on the sidelines during the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images / Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

The Jayhawks took down Oklahoma State in their last outing, 38-21. Jalon Daniels has led the way for the Kansas offense all season long, throwing for 1,991 yards and a career-high 20 touchdowns. He’s also had just three interceptions this season.

While Daniels has plenty of big-play ability, he didn’t throw for at least 150 yards in each of the past two games. The Jayhawks instead have been finding more chunks on the ground.

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Aug 30, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Hawaii Rainbow Warriors running back Landon Sims (30) loses his helmet during the second quarter against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images / Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

The Arizona front seven hasn’t been pushed around this season, but they have run into issues against running quarterbacks and talented backfields, which Kansas has.

Nov 9, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas Jayhawks quarterback Jalon Daniels (6) hands off to Kansas Jayhawks running back Daniel Hishaw Jr. (9) during the fourth quarter against the Iowa State Cyclones at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images / William Purnell-Imagn Images

Kansas ran for 232 yards against the Cowboys, which isn’t all that impressive given what other teams have done to that defense this season. However, they leaned on the ground even while the game was close, possibly to try to develop that identity.

Nov 23, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas running back Devin Neal (4) maneuvers past a diving during the Colorado defensive tackle Chidozie Nwankwo (97) in the 4th quarter between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Colorado Buffaloes at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nick Tre. Smith-Imagn Images / Nick Tre. Smith-Imagn Images

Devin Neal carried the running game for the Jayhawks last season, rushing for 1,266 yards and 16 touchdowns on 219 carries. With Neal off to the NFL, the ground attack has not been as explosive.

Daniel Hishaw Jr., who ran behind Neal last season, and Leshon Williams, an Iowa transfer, have combined for 754 yards and 10 touchdowns. Williams has cracked the 100-yard mark once this season, but that’s all for the backfield.

Aug 29, 2025; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks running back Daniel Hishaw Jr. (9) stiff arms Wagner Seahawks defensive back Sam Martin (2) during the first half at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images / William Purnell-Imagn Images

Despite the lack of overwhelming success, they still lean on it often. Kansas averages 4.5 yards per carry this season and continues to grind runs between the tackles and on outside zone. Both backs are a big part of that, but so is their quarterback.

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Daniels has run for 271 yards and two scores this season. He’s very athletic and has decent speed and enough toughness to lean into a few hits.

Oct 25, 2025; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks quarterback Jalon Daniels (6) runs the ball against the Kansas State Wildcats during the first half of the game at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images / Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Arizona’s struggles with dual-threat quarterbacks have been well-documented this season. Houston and BYU both gave them fits on the ground, allowing 490 rushing yards between the two games. Last week, they had success stopping Kaidon Salter outside the pocket, but Colorado also fell into an early hole and had to throw for the whole day.

The Wildcats allow 138.4 rushing yards per game, which ranks 55th nationally. It really has been a case of just a few games blowing that number up, but the Jayhawks can slow the game down and win on the edge if they find some running lanes early on.

Aug 30, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats defensive lineman Mays Pese (99), linebacker Taye Brown (6), and defensive lineman Julian Saviinaea (41) all celebrate after they intercept the ball from the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors during the third quarter of the game at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images / Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

An X-factor in this game for the Wildcats is Taye Brown. The inside linebacker has been great this season at reading and flowing instinctually into run fits against zone-schemed runs. Kansas does a lot of that, making him and fellow inside linebacker Max Harris crucial to the team’s success.

Oct 5, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats defensive lineman Chase Kennedy (11) celebrates tackle against Texas Tech Red Raiders during first quarter at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images / Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

Brown is second on the team with 54 tackles this season, but is one of Arizona’s best run defenders. Defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales has also turned outside linebackers Chase Kennedy and Riley Wilson into more of an edge rushing duo, which will still be important this week, but they are the edge pieces that will have to stop the quick motion runs Kansas works on.

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On the inside, Deshawn McKnight has been fantastic, and Leroy Palu has really stepped up in recent weeks. This game will be all about fits against a zone scheme, so they don’t necessarily need to be the ones in space making plays, but with all of the pre-snap motion the Jayhawks run, getting a good initial push to change the route of the play can be a big help.

Aug 30, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats defensive lineman Leroy Palu (95), defensive lineman Julian Savaiinaea (41), defensive lineman Mays Pese (99), and defensive lineman Dominic Lolesio (42) all celebrate after they intercept the ball from the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors during the third quarter at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images / Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

Overall, this game could develop into a shootout with Noah Fifita and Daniels taking chances downfield and connecting, but there’s a way Kansas could control this game on the ground. Either way, it’s a big week for the Arizona defense to make a stand.

What do you think of Arizona’s game against Kansas? To let us know, just click the link to find us and be sure to give us a follow while you’re there.



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What have the Cardinals done in NFL free agency? – Arizona Sports

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What have the Cardinals done in NFL free agency? – Arizona Sports


The NFL’s legal tampering window is officially open, and it didn’t take long for the Arizona Cardinals to get in the mix.

A running list of the new names and familiar faces coming to Arizona in 2026:

New names on Cardinals roster this free agency

Kendrick Bourne

The former San Francisco 49ers and New England Patriots wide receiver brings another body to Arizona’s wide receivers room that includes Michael Wilson and Marvin Harrison Jr.

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He’s got plenty of familiarity with new Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur from their time together in San Francisco (2017-20). Bourne also spent a year with expected Cardinals starter Jacoby Brissett in 2024 with the Patriots.

The wide receiver caught 37 passes for 551 yards in 16 games played (eight starts) last year.

He’s now on board for two years in Arizona.

Isaac Seumalo

The guard spent the past three years with the Pittsburgh Steelers after a seven-season stint with the Philadelphia Eagles.

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He’s started 104 out of 125 games played and has spent time at both left and right guard during his NFL career.

According to Next Gen Stats, the guard allowed a 3.7% pressure rate last year. That was the lowest rate among all eligible guards in 2025.

Gardner Minshew

Minshew agreed to terms on a one-year deal on Monday.

He’s expected to back up expected starter Jacoby Brissett in 2026, according to Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro.

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Coming off his seventh NFL season and first with the Kansas City Chiefs, Minshew appeared in four games (one start) last year. He completed 46.2% of his throws for 37 yards and an interception.

Before landing with the Chiefs, Minshew spent time with the Las Vegas Raiders (2024), Indianapolis Colts (2023), Philadelphia Eagles (2021-22) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2019-20).

RB Tyler Allgeier

Allgeier comes over to Arizona on a reported two-year contract.

Before agreeing to terms on the $12.25 million deal with Arizona on Monday, Allgeier played four seasons with the Atlanta Falcons.

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He ran for 514 yards and eight touchdowns on 143 carries last year, while adding another 14 catches for 96 yards.

While he worked mostly behind Bijan Robinson the past three years, Allgeier did surpass the 1,000-yard mark as a rookie in 2022.

Familiar faces

L.J. Collier

Collier is back on a one-year deal.

The defensive lineman appeared in four games in 2025 due to a knee injury suffered in Week 2.

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He recorded six tackles and two QB hits in what was his third season with the team.

Roy Lopez

After a one-year stint with the Detroit Lions, Lopez is back with his hometown team on a reported two-year deal.

In 17 games played last year, he recorded two sacks, four tackles for loss and a pass defensed.

Before his time in Detroit, Lopez spent two seasons with Arizona from 2023-24. During that span, he registered a sack, six tackles for loss, three passes defensed and a forced fumble in 30 games played (21 starts).

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K Chad Ryland

Ryland is back on a one-year deal, the team announced.

Ryland went through plenty of struggles last season after a having a career year in 2024. His accuracy dropped from 87.5% in 2024 to 75.8% last season. He was especially inconsistent from 40 yards and on, compiling a 13-of-20 mark (65%). Inside 40 yards, though, Ryland was 12-of-13 (92.3%).

Arizona brought in kicker Josh Karty late in the year (more on him later), but Ryland never gave up his role and appeared in all 17 games.

A one-year deal isn’t going to break the bank by any means.

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P Blake Gillikin

The Cardinals must feel pretty good about where Gillikin is at in his recovering from a back injury last year with their signing of the punter to a one-year deal.

Before he went down five games into the season, the punter was leading the league in yards per punt with 51.7.

Not only that, across his five seasons (65 games) in the NFL, he holds the all-time record for yards per punt at 48.5.

Staying healthy is key for Gillikin, who also missed time in 2024 due to an ankle injury.

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RB James Conner

Technically not a free agent, Conner was a potential cut candidate given his contract.

But after reportedly revising his deal, Conner is returning for his sixth season with the Cardinals.

The running back brings plenty of leadership and a bruising running style to the mix.

He’s coming off an abbreviated 2025 (three games) due to an ankle injury but had rushed for a pair of 1,000-yard seasons the two years prior. He scored at least seven rushing touchdowns each season from 2022-24.

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CB Sean Murphy-Bunting

Much like Conner, Murphy-Bunting was another prime cut candidate due to his contract but reportedly revised his deal with Arizona as well.

Murphy-Bunting has a lot to prove after missing all of 2025 due to an injury suffered away from the team facility.

In his first season with the Cardinals, the cornerback recorded 52 tackles, three interceptions, five passes defensed and two forced fumbles across 15 starts.

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Arizona’s Jaden Bradley named Big 12 men’s basketball player of year

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Arizona’s Jaden Bradley named Big 12 men’s basketball player of year


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The Arizona men’s basketball team went 29-2 overall and 16-2 in the Big 12, winning the conference’s regular season title.

The Wildcats were rewarded for their dominance in the Big 12’s men’s basketball awards, which were announced on March 9.

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Arizona’s Jaden Bradley was named the Big 12 Player of the Year, while Tobe Awaka earned the conference’s Sixth Man of the Year award and coach Tommy Lloyd earned Coach of the Year accolades.

Bradley averaged 13.4 points and 4.6 assists. Awaka was the nation’s leading rebounder off the bench, averaging 9.7 rebounds and 9.9 points when entering the game as a reserve. Lloyd led Arizona to its first Big 12 regular-season title.

Arizona State was completely shut out of the awards, with Moe Odum not receiving honorable mention honors despite averaging 17.1 points per game and 5.9 assists per game for the Sun Devils.

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2026 Phillips 66 All-Big 12 Men’s Basketball Awards

  • Player of the Year: Jaden Bradley, Arizona
  • Defensive Player of the Year: Flory Bidunga, Kansas
  • Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Tamin Lipsey, Iowa State
  • Freshman of the Year: AJ Dybantsa, BYU
  • Newcomer of the Year: Melvin Council Jr., Kansas
  • Sixth Man Award: Tobe Awaka, Arizona*
  • Most Improved: Christian Anderson, Texas Tech
  • Coach of the Year: Tommy Lloyd, Arizona

All-Big 12 First Team

  • Jaden Bradley, Arizona
  • Brayden Burries, Arizona
  • Motiejus Krivas, Arizona
  • AJ Dybantsa, BYU*
  • Emanuel Sharp, Houston
  • Kingston Flemings, Houston*
  • Joshua Jefferson, Iowa State
  • Flory Bidunga, Kansas
  • Christian Anderson, Texas Tech
  • JT Toppin, Texas Tech*

All-Big 12 Second Team

  • Richie Saunders, BYU
  • Baba Miller, Cincinnati
  • Tamin Lipsey, Iowa State
  • Milan Momcilovic, Iowa State
  • Darryn Peterson, Kansas

All-Big 12 Third Team

  • Koa Peat, Arizona
  • Cameron Carr, Baylor
  • Rob Wright, BYU
  • Themus Fulks, UCF
  • Xavier Edmonds, TCU

All-Big 12 Honorable Mention:

  • Arizona: Tobe Awaka
  • Baylor: Tounde Yessoufou
  • Cincinnati: Moustapha Thiam
  • Colorado: Isaiah Johnson
  • Houston: Joseph Tugler, Milos Uzan
  • Kansas: Melvin Council Jr.
  • Kansas State: PJ Haggerty
  • Oklahoma State: Parsa Fallah
  • TCU: David Punch
  • Texas Tech: Donovan Atwell
  • West Virginia: Honor Huff
  • Utah: Terrence Brown

All-Defensive Team

  • Jaden Bradley, Arizona
  • Motiejus Krivas, Arizona
  • Emanuel Sharp, Houston
  • Joseph Tugler, Houston
  • Tamin Lipsey, Iowa State
  • Flory Bidunga, Kansas*

A tie resulted in an extra position on the team

All-Freshman Team

  • Brayden Burries, Arizona*
  • Koa Peat, Arizona
  • AJ Dybantsa, BYU*
  • Kingston Flemings, Houston*
  • Darryn Peterson, Kansas*

All-Newcomer Team

  • Cameron Carr, Baylor
  • Themus Fulks, UCF
  • Baba Miller, Cincinnati
  • Melvin Council Jr., Kansas
  • Donovan Atwell, Texas Tech

*- unanimous selection

Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

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Arizona gas prices rise above national average amid Middle East conflict

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Arizona gas prices rise above national average amid Middle East conflict


PHOENIX (AZFamily) — The average price of regular gasoline in Arizona surged more than 30 cents in just a few days, according to AAA, leaving the state’s average at around $3.84 per gallon as of Sunday. The national average stands at $3.45.

Arizona is now one of the most expensive states in the country to fill up, topping the national average by nearly 40 cents.

AAA said the war in Iran is affecting crude oil prices, which are now trading at more than $100 per barrel. Arizona’s Family also reported a slowdown in a major ship channel in the Middle East, adding further pressure to the market.

A seasonal factor is also contributing to the spike. The transition to summer-blend gasoline, which is required in spring, is driving prices higher as well.

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Drivers at a central Phoenix gas station said they were caught off guard by the rapid increase.

“I was appalled,” one driver said.

“It was ridiculous,” said another.

“That is a lot, especially in such a short period of time,” said Andrea Webb.

The gas station attendant said some drivers are limiting how much they spend per fill-up, putting in only $10 to $20 at a time. Others said they are actively searching for the lowest posted price.

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“I feel like I’m always on the hunt for whatever is the cheapest gas,” said Bailey Mitchell. “This was $4.09 versus $4.15, so I’ll take it.”

Not all drivers said they are cutting back.

“I’m gonna bite the bullet. I need gas in my car. I’ll fill it up,” said Webb.

ASU professor of supply chain management, Hitendra Chaturvedi, said oil prices could approach $130 per barrel if the war in Iran continues. That scenario could push Arizona gas prices close to $6 per gallon, the professor said. No timeline was given.

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