LAWRENCE, Kan. — Jace Gilbert missed three field goals, including a 37-yarder with a chance to tie the game with under 30 seconds to play as Kansas held off Iowa State 14-11 on Saturday to remain undefeated.
At 5-0 overall, this is the Jayhawks' best start to the season since 2009 and just the second time in the last 14 years they’re 2-0 to begin Big 12 Conference play.
Jalon Daniels and Daniel Hishaw both scored rushing touchdowns for the Jayhawks, who were shut out in the second half, but did just enough to hang on for the victory.
Daniels threw for 93 yards while Iowa State's Hunter Dekkers had 278 passing yards but threw a costly interception in the second quarter.
Dekkers' interception in the second quarter ended up turning into a touchdown for the Jayhawks, a 2-yard run by Daniels for a 14-0 lead.
Iowa State got on the board just before halftime with Dekkers' 7-yard pass to Easton Dean. A two-point conversion after a botched PAT snap drew the Cyclones within 14-8.
Gilbert came into the game 5-for-5 on field goals for the Cyclones but missed two kicks off the post — one in the first quarter and another in the fourth — which proved costly.
THE TAKEAWAY
Iowa State: The Cyclones looked a bit out of sorts all day and probably could’ve won this game against lesser Kansas teams. It’s the first time the Cyclones have lost to Kansas since 2014.
Kansas: They did just enough to win this game and showed they can win a defensive battle after shootouts in their first four games of the season.
UP NEXT
Kansas faces TCU at home on Saturday. Iowa State hosts Kansas State the same day.