The few KU football fans who braved cold, wet, windy conditions ? the announced paid attendance was 24,000, but the actual turnout was estimated as low as 6,000 ? certainly caught a glimpse of the future in the Jayhawks’ season-ending 27-14 victory over Wyoming.

“A lot of you might not believe me, but we’re there,” red-shirt freshman quarterback Mario Kinsey said. “We have the talent. I think everybody knows we have the talent. We just have to put the pieces of the puzzle together. We’ve got half of the puzzle built, we just have to put the other half with it.

“If we do that and get the chemistry going, we’ll be unstoppable.”

Kinsey finished with a career-best 260 yards total offense ? 221 on 13-of-27 passing and 39 on 13 carries ? as the Jayhawks (3-8) snapped a six-game losing streak in the final game for 17 seniors.

Thad Allender/Journal-World Photo

Kinsey was just one underclassman who contributed to the cause.

“It says a lot because we have a lot of talent, a lot of young talent,” said Kinsey, who had his right wrist wrapped in ice after the game and will have X-rays taken on Monday. “We showed some of it today.”

Before looking too far down the road, though, KU interim coach Tom Hayes was content to savor his first collegiate victory as a head coach.

“I’m going to enjoy today,” said Hayes, who replaced Terry Allen with three games remaining. “I’m not going to think about one thing other than enjoying what these players and these kids did today. I’m excited for them and excited for this program, excited for our coaches.

“Good things will happen here. There’s a move on and everybody can feel it. They’ll make all the right decisions ? I’m sure of it ? and we’ll just wait and see what happens.”

Thad Allender/Journal-World Photo

From sophomore running back Reggie Duncan to freshman tight end Jason Farley to junior linebacker Leo Etienne to freshman linebacker Banks Floodman, the next wave of Jayhawks was in full view Saturday.

Duncan finished with 30 carries for 168 yards and two touchdowns, adding a career-high two receptions for 21 yards.

“Reggie had 168, and he was running hard,” Kinsey said. “Marshell (Chiles) was running hard. But I think all the credit goes to the O-line because every play they got in the trenches and dug it out for us.”

Chiles, a true freshman, had five carries for 25 yards before leaving the game with an undisclosed injury, apparently to his right shoulder. Fellow freshmen ? wide receiver Brandon Rideau and tight end Jason Farley ? also joined the fray.

Rideau made just his second career reception, which happened to cover 46 yards for his first career touchdown. Farley also had his first and second career grabs, going for 36 yards.

“It felt good to get out there and finally catch a ball,” said Farley, a Blue Valley grad. “I’ve been waiting for my opportunity. I’m glad it went well for me. I think the coaches saw that by involving the tight end in the running game it would open up the passing game for both us and the receivers.”

On the other side of the ball, junior linebacker Etienne and freshman linebacker Floodman ? who made his second straight start in place of injured senior co-captain Marcus Rogers ? led the Jayhawks with 11 and 10 total tackles, respectively.

Both underclassmen said winning was important for both the seniors and the future.

“It was really important because we’ve been battling all season,” said Etienne, who also snagged his first career interception. “The whole year has been frustrating for us. To go out on top, as winners, it’s a positive note going into the spring, something to look forward to for next year.”

Added Floodman, “It’s definitely a key win for building for the future. You could either end the season with a seven-game losing streak or you could end it with a win. It’s definitely a high note.”

Senior linebacker Algie Atkinson added to his school record for sacks with two against Wyoming to finish his career with 23. Senior defensive tackle Nate Dwyer also had a sack in his final game as a Jayhawk.

The most unorthodox sack was provided by Floodman, who was credited with the stop for a loss of eight yards after seemingly bumping into Wyoming quarterback Casey Bramlet, accidentally, knocking him to the turf.

“I was worried he was going to throw it and I didn’t want to get that roughing-the-passer (penalty). Then coach would have been all over me,” Floodman said with a smile. “I did take it easy on him. I’m going to have to take a look at that and maybe not worry about it next time.

“I didn’t really hit him hard. I just gave him a little pop. He went down, so, hey, if he didn’t go down I would have hopped on him anyway.”

Yet another freshman finished strong. Kicker Johnny Beck belted field goals from 35 and 27 yards in his final two attempts. After making eight of his first nine kicks this season, the Kansas City Piper High product had missed five of his final seven including an earlier miss Saturday from 42 yards.

“Coming in there having made two of my last six,” said Beck, who finished one short of the school record for field goals by a freshman with 14, “and missing that first one, so two of seven ? it felt good making those last two.”