Kansas running back Ke'aun Kinner (22) pushes aside Texas defensive back Jermaine Roberts Jr. (16) during the first quarter on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015 at Darrell K. Royal Stadium in Austin, Texas.
Austin, Texas ? During Kansas University’s 59-20 loss at Texas Saturday night, junior running back Ke’aun Kinner showed the burst that has eluded him since he rushed for 100 yards in back-to-back games to open the season.
The Little Elm, Texas, native finished with 67 yards on 13 carries and also added 40 yards on a pair of receptions. Asked if his first big game in weeks was the result of a healthier body, Kinner smiled and nodded.
“I’m getting there,” he said when asked if he was 100 percent.
As for whether playing back in his home state had an impact on his game, Kinner again grinned.
“I feel like it had something to do with it,” he said. “I kind of came out with an edge.”
Of course, Kinner said the fact that KU was competitive in a game for more than the first few series had a positive effect on the entire team.
“Going into halftime, we all felt like we should’ve been winning or tied,” he said. “We just didn’t make the most of our opportunities.”
A native of Colorado, Matt moved to Lawrence in 1988 and has been in town ever since. He graduated from Lawrence High in 1996 and the University of Kansas in 2000 with a degree in Journalism. After covering KU sports for the University Daily Kansan and Rivals.com, Matt joined the World Company (and later Ogden Publications) in 2001 and has held several positions with the paper and KUsports.com in the past 20+ years. He became the Journal-World Sports Editor in 2018. Throughout his career, Matt has won several local and national awards from both the Associated Press Sports Editors and the Kansas Press Association. In 2021, he was named the Kansas Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. Matt lives in Lawrence with his wife, Allison, and two daughters, Kate and Molly. When he's not covering KU sports, he likes to spend his time playing basketball and golf, listening to and writing music and traveling the world with friends and family.
Nick Krug
