Kansas Runs Past West Virginia 37 to 14 as Mountaineers Fall to 5-5

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - West Virginia's push toward bowl eligibility will have to wait another week after Kansas controlled Saturday's game from the opening quarter and defeated the Mountaineers 37 to 14 at Milan Puskar Stadium. The loss dropped West Virginia to 5 and 5 overall and 2 and 5 in Big 12 play.

Kansas scored on five of its first six possessions and built a 30 to 7 halftime advantage. Jayhawks quarterback Isaiah Marshall caused problems throughout the afternoon, rushing for 164 yards while completing 15 of 18 passes for another 152 yards. Kansas finished with 296 rushing yards and 448 yards of total offense. West Virginia was held to just 35 yards on the ground and 262 total yards.

West Virginia quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. accounted for both Mountaineer touchdowns. His two yard scoring run in the first quarter was his 20th rushing touchdown of the season, extending the school single season record he had already established. Hawkins later connected with John Neider for a 17 yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. He finished 19 of 34 passing for 227 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

The Mountaineers entered the game averaging more than 263 rushing yards per contest, among the best totals in the country, but struggled to establish that part of the offense against Kansas. WVU punted on seven consecutive possessions following its first quarter touchdown.

An announced crowd of 45,629 attended Saturday's game in Morgantown. West Virginia now has two opportunities remaining in the regular season to earn the sixth victory traditionally needed for bowl eligibility. The Mountaineers host Houston on Nov. 21 before closing the regular season at Utah on Nov. 27.