James Sims excellent first half couldn't be replicated in the second.
It was a tale of two halves in Waco, TX for the Jayhawks Saturday losing to Baylor 41-14 falling to 1-8 overall and 0-6 in the conference.
After digging themselves a 14-0 hole with just over five minutes passed in the first quarter the Kansas Jayhawks came alive with a little help from their trusty backfield.
James Sims turned the game around (keep in mind still first quarter) with a 59-yard touchdown run that brought the Jayhawks to within a possession.
Though the Kansas defense gave Baylor wide receiver Terrance Williams yards in chunks, they solidified in the red zone and forced two first half, field goals.
After the 40-minute rain delay, Kansas lost all momentum after a 3-and-out and a quick Baylor touchdown on their first possession of the second half.
On the Jayhawks next possession, Cummings launched the long ball just out of the grasp of receiver Chris Omigie who tipped it to the defender for an interception. Kansas was never in the game again.
Like so many of the 2012 losses for Kansas, the Jayhawks looked like two different teams both in the first half and in the second.
So where any positives taken from Saturday’s loss?
I sum it up in this week’s edition of Scotten’s Scribbles
Michael Cummings
It was a lack luster day for new Kansas starting quarterback Michael Cummings. Cummings started the day with a terrible first drive but seemingly settled down in the second quarter relying on his legs and running game to jump start the offense.
Cummings did offer some good throws in the second half but didn’t get any help from the Kansas receivers sans Kale Pick. Though Cummings adds a different eliment to the offense with his ability to roll outside the tackles and make a play, Cummings got exposed Saturday due to his inexperience.
Cummings finished the day going 9-19 for 89 yards and 2 interceptions and also added 4 rushes for 22 yards and a touchdown
On a side note, we saw former starter Dayne Crist get another look after the game was out of hand.
Crist was efficient but still struggled like Cummings to get anything going down the field. Crist finished going 2-7 for 15-yards.
Defense in the Work
Much like the rest of the day for the Jayhawks, the Kansas defense was about as steady as a rollercoaster Saturday.
To his credit, defensive coordinator Dave Campo adjusted on the fly and slowed down the Baylor offense after they got out to a quick start. Up and coming linebackers Ben Heeney and Jake Love again proved why they are garnering more playing time as of late.
On one series in the first half, the Jayhawks were called for pass interference on Greg Brown on 3rd down but bounced back to force another FG.
Though the wheels fell off in the second half, the Kansas defense continues to make strides despite setbacks. For a Kansas defense that was the laughing stock of the country last season that is as much as you can ask for 2012.
James Sims
Running Back James Sims continues his destruction against opposing defenses. Against the porous Baylor run defense Sims rattled off 108-yards and a touchdown…in the first half.
Though Kansas got away from their rushing attack in the second half due to the lopsided score, Sims finished with 21 carries and an average of 6 yards per carry.
Though Sims has largely been overlooked due to Kansas’ win-loss record, Sims is sure to start garnering some much deserved pub as Kansas finishes off the rest of their Big 12 schedule.
