By Rob Gray, correspondent
AMES — “We’ll see.”
Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell uttered those words in the wake of his team’s first loss last Saturday — a mistake-laden 23-22 setback to Texas Tech at home.
Campbell was referring to his team’s upcoming response to finally falling from the ranks of the unbeaten, and expects his senior leaders to help light the path forward as the Cyclones remain very much alive in the Big 12 title race.
“We’re kind of defined by how we respond to adversity, and I think that’s pretty much life in general,” Campbell said. “So this will be a great opportunity for this group to continue to grow.”
ISU (7-1, 4-1) is a three-point favorite against the Jayhawks (2-6, 1-4), and its fans could make Saturday’s 2:30 p.m. (FS1) matchup at Arrowhead Stadium almost feel like a home game.
Expect another tense game, regardless — and here are five Kansas players to know as the countdown to kickoff continues:
QB Jalon Daniels
The 6-0, 220-pound junior from Lawndale, Calif., has throw six touchdown passes to just one interception in his past three games, but struggled mightily before that. The often-injured, but still dynamic dual-threat quarterback has also rushed for a touchdown in three consecutive games, and is coming off his best rushing performance (66 yards) of the season in the Jayhawks’ 29-27 loss to Kansas State two weeks ago. Daniels compiled an impressive 23 touchdown-to-five interception ratio in 2022 and 2023, but has thrown just 11 touchdown passes to nine interceptions in this topsy-turvy season. He’s racked up 60 touchdowns (42 passing, 18 rushing) throughout his career and, when healthy, can put up gaudy numbers against anyone.
CB Mello Dotson (and Cobee Bryant)
Dotson — one of the bIg 12’s best cornerbacks — has made 36 consecutive starts, and is one of three Jayhawk defenders who have played 49 career games with the school. The 6-1, 190-pound fifth-year senior from Daytona Beach, Fla., has turned three of his seven interceptions over the last two seasons into touchdowns, and has also forced and recovered a fumble this season. Dotson leads the defense with five passes defended, ranks second in interceptions with three, and is third in total tackles with 34. Fellow senior cornerback, Cobee Bryant, leads the Jayhawks with four interceptions, and he’s forced a fumble this season, as well.
RB Devin Neal
The 5-11, 215-pound senior from Lawrence, has been setting and chasing records all season and sits seven yards away form breaking the program’s all-time mark of rushing yards of 3,841 yards. Neal already broke Kansas’ record for total touchdowns by a non-quarterback (44), and his next touchdown run would give him the school record in that category with 42. Neal also ranks second all-time in career 100-yard rushing games with 17 — and his next jaunt into the end zone will give him that record, as well. Neal’s rushed for at least one touchdown in six of the Jayhawks’s eight games this season, and his backup, Daniel Hishaw Jr., is averaging a team-best 6.4 yards per carry.
WR Luke Grimm
Grimm leads Kansas in receptions (38), receiving yards (429), and touchdown catches (five). The 6-0, 190-pound senior from suburban Kansas City has also rushed for for 133 yards on seven carries, so the guy the call “the Grimm Reaper” makes big plays in a variety of ways. He ranks second all-time with 22 career touchdown receptions and also is among the top seven receivers in Jayhawks history in yards through the air (2,211), and receptions (144). According to Pro Football Focus College, Grimm leads the nation in most targets without a drop this season with 55.
DL Jereme Robinson
The 6-3, 255-pound senior from Montgomery, Ala., leads a strong Kansas front seven with 4.5 sacks, which matches his total from last season. The Jayhawks rank third in the Big 12 in sacks with 18 and Robinson along with fellow edge rusher Dean Miller (3.5 sacks) is a big reason why. Robinson also leads his team in forced fumbles with two, and is one of four Kansas defenders to have recovered a fumble this season.
