West Virginia and Kansas meet in the Big 12 opener hoping to turn things around after 1-2 starts

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — Kansas and West Virginia are hoping to get their Big 12 seasons off to a strong start after disappointing performances in nonconference play. The Jayhawks gave up a late touchdown at UNLV and lost 23-20 last week. The Mountaineers gave up a blocked punt for a touchdown and gave up a 10-point lead in the final three minutes of a 38-34 loss at Pittsburgh.

SECOND CONFLICT

Kansas QB Jalon Daniels against the West Virginia defense. The Jayhawks are last in the Big 12 with 164.3 passing yards per game. Daniels completed 12 of 24 passes with two interceptions against UNLV, though he did run for two touchdowns. West Virginia has allowed a league-worst eight passing touchdowns and is allowing 280.7 passing yards per game.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Kansas: RB Devin Neal. The 215-pound senior is third in the Big 12 with 111 rushing yards per game. He ran for 120 yards and had a 33-yard reception against UNLV.

West Virginia: Defensive lineman TJ Jackson. The senior transfer from Troy was named the Big 12 Newcomer of the Week after making six tackles against Pittsburgh. That included 1.5 sacks and four tackles for loss, which was the most by a West Virginia player since 2018. His seven tackles for loss this season ranks him tops in the Big 12.

FACTS AND FIGURES

The game features two of the league’s best rushing attacks. Kansas is averaging 238.7 yards rushing and West Virginia is 192.7. … Kansas’ defense saw UNLV run the ball 18 straight times on its game-winning drive. … Kansas and West Virginia didn’t meet last season. Two years ago, the Jayhawks beat West Virginia 55-42 in overtime in Morgantown.