Kansas Jayhawks Football vs Colorado Buffaloes
Introduction
The matchup between the Kansas Jayhawks football team and the Colorado Buffaloes football team is always a highlight in the Big 12 calendar. When these two met on Nov. 23 2024, the stakes were high — and the player stats tell a story of domination, resilience and turning points. In this article, we’ll dive into the player stats from that game, highlight the major performers, explain how the numbers impacted the outcome, and answer common questions fans ask (“Who led in rushing?”, “What about Colorado’s top players?”, “What do these stats mean going forward?”). Whether you’re a stats-junkie or a casual fan, you’ll find value here.
Game Overview: Kansas vs Colorado
On November 23, 2024, Kansas defeated Colorado 37–21. ESPN.com+2University of Kansas+2
Here are some of the team-level stats to set the scene:
Team Highlights:
- Kansas totaled 520 yards of offense; Colorado had 308. USA TODAY+2USA TODAY+2
- Kansas rushed for 331 yards; Colorado managed just 42. USA TODAY+1
- Colorado passed for 266 yards; Kansas passed for 189. USA TODAY+1
- Time of possession heavily tilted: Kansas around 40 minutes, Colorado approximately 20. University of Colorado Athletics+1
These statistics tell the first major lesson: Kansas controlled the line of scrimmage, ran extensively and dominated time of possession, which crippled Colorado’s chances.
Standout Kansas Players in the Match
Running Back: Devin Neal
Neal absolutely erupted in the game: he rushed for 207 yards on 37 carries and scored three touchdowns. On top of that he caught 4 passes for 80 yards and another touchdown. University of Kansas+2AP News+2
That kind of dual-threat performance (running + receiving) changed the game. Kansas leaned into Neal as the focal point.
Why it mattered:
- His long runs broke drives; for example, a 47-yard rush contributed to a touchdown drive. big12sports.com
- By using him as a receiver too, Colorado’s defense couldn’t just stack the box.
- With Kansas having so many offensive plays (78 vs 42 for Colorado) they were able to wear the Buffaloes down. University of Colorado Athletics+1
Quarterback: Jalon Daniels
While Neal grabbed the headlines, Daniels managed the game efficiently. He completed 14 of 21 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown. University of Kansas+1
His role: keep the chains moving, avoid mistakes, let Neal and the run game shine. By not turning the ball over, he supported Kansas’ dominance.
Other Key Jayhawks
- The offensive line enabled 5.8 yards per carry overall and opened lanes all game. USA TODAY+1
- Kansas’ defense remarkably held Colorado to just 42 rushing yards and forced multiple punts. University of Colorado Athletics+1
Colorado’s Top Player Performances & Key Struggles
Quarterback: Shedeur Sanders
Sanders completed 23 of 29 passes (79.3 %) for 266 yards and 3 touchdowns, no interceptions. FOX Sports+1
Yet, despite strong numbers, the game slipped away. Why?
- His running game was essentially non-existent: Colorado rushed for only 42 yards total.
- Kansas controlled the clock and limited Colorado’s ability to sustain offensive drives.
Wide Receiver: Travis Hunter
Hunter had 8 catches for 125 yards and 2 touchdowns. FOX Sports
Despite the solid receiving performance, it wasn’t enough. For instance, when Colorado trimmed the lead to 23–21, Kansas responded with two long drives. ESPN.com
Other Buffaloes Players & Defensive Issues
- Colorado’s defense allowed 331 rushing yards. That’s a huge red flag. University of Colorado Athletics+1
- Time of possession disparity (20 min vs 40 min) shows the Buffaloes offense was off schedule and the defense on the field too long.
- While the passing game was competent, it couldn’t offset the lack of rushing success and the inability to stop Kansas’ ground game.
Highlight Stats & How They Impacted the Outcome
Rushing domination by Kansas
- Kansas: 331 rushing yards vs Colorado: 42. USA TODAY+1
Running the ball efficiently gives you control over tempo, the ability to sustain drives, and keeps the opponent’s offense off the field.
Passing yardage and balance
- Kansas passed for 189 yards — not spectacular — but it didn’t have to be when they ran so well.
- Colorado passed for 266 yards, which is good, but the imbalance (almost no rushing) meant they became too one-dimensional.
Big plays and turnovers
- Neal’s 47-yard rush and the long drives Kansas mounted after Colorado trimmed the lead sealed it. big12sports.com+1
- The Buffaloes couldn’t respond after Kansas regained momentum.
Time of possession and play count
- Kansas ran 78 plays; Colorado ran 42. University of Colorado Athletics+1
- More plays, more chances; fewer plays for Colorado meant less rhythm.
Top individual performances
- Devin Neal: 207 rush yards + 80 receiving yards + 4 touchdowns = game-changing. University of Kansas
- Shedeur Sanders: effective passing but unsupported by the run game.
- Travis Hunter: strong receiving, but his offense couldn’t overcome other team deficits.
What Can We Learn? Practical Insights & Takeaways
For Teams
- If you can run successfully (as Kansas did), you’ll wear down an opponent and often win.
- Even if you pass efficiently (Colorado did with Sanders), if you can’t run and you can’t dominate time of possession, you’ll struggle.
- Big plays matter. Neal’s long runs kept drives alive; Colorado had fewer sustained drives.
For Fans / Bettors
- When Kansas plays a team with a weak run defense, expect a heavy dose of their rushing attack.
- For Colorado, games where they can’t establish the run often lead to losses; monitor their rushing stats in future games.
- Player stats matter beyond totals: look at how balanced the offense is (run + pass), not just one dimension.
For Players / Coaches
- Running backs who can contribute as receivers (like Neal) are especially valuable — Hill they caught 4 passes for 80 yards.
- Quarterbacks need the support of the running game; passing alone isn’t always enough.
- Defensive cohesion is critical: Colorado’s defense allowed 331 rushing yards — unacceptable at this level.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Who was the standout player in the Kansas vs Colorado match?
A: Devin Neal of Kansas. He rushed for 207 yards, added 80 receiving yards, and scored 4 touchdowns. AP News+1
Q2: Did Colorado’s passing game perform well?
A: Yes—Shedeur Sanders threw for 266 yards and 3 touchdowns without an interception. But the lack of a productive rushing game and defensive struggles undermined his effort. FOX Sports+1
Q3: What was the biggest factor in Kansas’ win?
A: The running game — Kansas rushed for 331 yards. Their dominance on the ground shifted the game. University of Colorado Athletics+1
Q4: What does this mean for Colorado going forward?
A: If Colorado cannot improve their run defense and establish a rushing attack, they’ll struggle in high-stakes games. They’ll also need to sustain drives to keep Kansas-style teams off the field for long stretches.
Q5: Were there any surprises in the stats?
A: Many expected Colorado’s dynamic receivers to break through, but they couldn’t overcome the time‐of‐possession disadvantage and the Kansas rush attack. Also, Kansas’ offense wasn’t overly flashy passing-wise, but effective.
Looking Ahead: What This Means for Future Matchups
- Kansas has shown that when they commit to the run and control possession, they can beat strong teams like Colorado.
- Colorado must diversify: lean not only on big plays in the passing game, but build a consistent run game and shore up the front-seven on defense.
- For analysts and fans, matchups of this sort hinge not just on star players’ stats, but on how complementary the team is: run + pass + defense + tempo.
- Keeping an eye on player stat lines (like Neal’s dual threat, Sanders’ passing accuracy) can help predict the team’s success in similar future games.
Conclusion
The Kansas Jayhawks vs Colorado Buffaloes clash provided a textbook case of how a powerful rushing attack, efficient game management and time-of-possession dominance can decide a game. Devin Neal’s superstar performance, Kansas’ 331 rushing yards and control of the clock contrasted sharply with Colorado’s sharp passing numbers but lack of complementary offense and weak defensive showing on the ground.
If you’re following future Big 12 matchups, watching how teams balance their run and pass, how they perform in time of possession, and how star players deliver in multiple ways (rushing + receiving, or passing + scrambles) will give you insights beyond surface stats.
What’s your take? Have you noticed teams winning with heavy rushing attacks like Kansas did here? Or prefer dynamic passing games like Colorado attempted? Let us know in the comments below—and share your favorite stat line from this matchup!
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