Keeping Stats: Where KU football ranks nationally heading into Big 12 play

By Matt Tait Sep 25, 2014

Kansas head coach Charlie Weis watches the video board after a late fourth-quarter touchdown by Southeast Missouri State on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014 at Memorial Stadium.

The Kansas University football team has navigated its way through the non-conference portion of its schedule — some moments good, some moments bad — and is now headed into Big 12 play for the rest of the season.

With that in mind, let’s take a quick look at where the Jayhawks rank nationally in a few dozen different statistical categories.

Keep in mind that, because of their Week 1 bye, the Jayhawks have played just three games while much of the rest of the country already has played four games. That fact impacts most categories in at least some small way and is worth remembering.

I was surprised to see that KU has nearly just as many decent rankings on the offensive side of the ball as on defense, though not all of them are the most critical stats. Overall, KU currently ranks in the Top 50 (of 125 FBS teams) in three offensive categories and six defensive categories.

Here’s a look at where the 2-1 Jayhawks stand in the most popular categories on offense defense, special teams and miscellaneous.

Kansas running back De'Andre Mann finds a hole against Duke during the second quarter on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2013 at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, North Carolina.

Kansas opens Big 12 play at 3 p.m. Saturday against 1-2 Texas at Memorial Stadium.

OFFENSE —>
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**Total offense -** Tied for 90th (374.3 ypg)

**Scoring offense -** Tied for 107th (20.3 ppg)

**Rushing offense -** 41st (200.3 ypg)

After beating Central Michigan lineman Ramadan Ahmeti (77) around the edge, Kansas senior Michael Reynolds (55) forces CMU quarterback Cooper Rush (10) to fumble during their game on Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium.

**Passing offense -** 106th (174 ypg)

**Completion percentage -** 99th .552 (48-for-87)

**3rd-down conversion percentage -** 96th .353 (18-for-51)

**4th-down conversion percentage -** 101st .250 (1-for-4)

**First downs offense -** 118th (52 1st downs)

KU senior JaCorey Shepherd (24) makes a move for good yards on Saturday, September 20, 2014 at Memorial Stadium.

**Fumbles lost -** Tied for 1st (0)

**Interceptions thrown -** Tied for 59th (3)

**Red zone offense -** Tied for 97th .750 (6-for-8)

**Sacks allowed -** Tied for 66th (2 spg)

**Tackles for loss allowed -** Tied for 57th (5.3 per game)

The Kansas Jayhawks sing to the student section after fending off a late charge by Southeast Missouri State to win 34-28 on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014 at Memorial Stadium.

**Team passing efficiency -** 92nd (117.6 rating; Oregon ranks first at 211.3)

**Turnovers lost -** Tied for 18th (3)

DEFENSE —>
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**Total defense -** Tied for 78th (403.7 ypg)

**Rushing defense -** 92nd (185.3 ypg)

**Scoring defense -** 81st (26.3 ppg)

**3rd-down conversion defense -** 36th .326 (14-for-43)

**4th-down conversion defense -** 110th .800 (4-for-5)

**First downs defense -** Tied for 20th (55 opponent 1st downs)

**Fumbles recovered -** Tied for 58th (2)

**Passes intercepted -** Tied for 32nd (4)

**Passing yards allowed -** Tied for 49th (218.3)

**Passing yards per completion -** 88th (10.88)

**Red zone defense -** Tied for 33rd .750 (6-for-8)

**Team passing efficiency defense -** 79th (130.4; Oregon State ranks first at 67.02)

**Team sacks -** Tied for 95th (1.33 spg)

**Team tackles for loss -** Tied for 56th (6 per game)

**Turnovers gained -** Tied for 47th (6)

SPECIAL TEAMS —>
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**Blocked kicks -** None

**Blocked kicks allowed -** Tied for 84th (1)

**Blocked punts -** None

**Blocked punts allowed -** Tied for 1st (0)

**Kickoff return defense -** Tied for 86th (22 ypr)

**Kickoff returns -** 22nd (25.3 ypr)

**Net punting -** 19th (41.4 ypp)

**Punt return defense -** 68th (7.9 ypr)

**Punt returns -** 17th (17.3 ypr)

MISCELLANEOUS —>
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**Fewest penalties -** Tied for 77th (24)

**Fewest penalties per game -** Tied for 103rd (8)

**Fewest penalty yards -** 84th (219)

**Fewest penalty yards per game -** 104th (73)

**Time of possession -** 50th (30 mpg)

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Written By Matt Tait

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.