Kansas football blasts Houston at Arrowhead. Could it spark a season turnaround?

Cathartic.

That’s the best way to describe what Saturday must have felt like for Kansas football and its fans.

After 51 long days between wins, Kansas earned its second win of the season — and first against an FBS team. KU ended its five-game losing streak.

The Jayhawks (2-5, 1-3 Big 12) smashed Houston 42-14 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

KU football raced out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. The highlight? Much-maligned quarterback Jalon Daniels’ 48-yard deep shot to wide receiver Quentin Skinner, which turned into six points.

KU led 28-14 at halftime. After a scoreless third quarter, the Jayhawks added another touchdown early in the fourth to effectively put the game away.

Daniels finished 16-of-21 passing for 247 yards with three passing touchdowns. He also ran for a score. Devin Neal had 108 rushing yards on 17 carries and two touchdowns.

Neal, with his 43rd career touchdown, tied the program record held by June Henley.

The Jayhawks, desperate for a win to keep their bowl hopes alive, were able to rebound following their off week and ahead of another major test.

Up next: Kansas travels to Manhattan to face rival Kansas State on Oct. 26.

Here are four takeaways from Saturday’s win…

Jalon Daniels puts on a show

Wow.

Daniels’ first-half performance was his best of the season, and a long-time coming.

Daniels went 13-of-16 passing for 195 yards and three touchdowns in the first 30 minutes. It was the seventh time that Daniels had thrown for three-plus touchdowns in his career and first since a 2023 game against BYU.

Just as important, Daniels looked the most comfortable he’s been all season. He had multiple jaw-dropping throws on the run. He put his wide receivers in spots to make a play on the ball, which paid off.

It’s a positive sign for the Jayhawks, as Daniels built off a solid performance against Arizona State to put together two straight good games.

The second half was much quieter for Daniels, but he still converted multiple first downs to ensure Kansas won and added a rushing touchdown.

With the lead well in hand, backup Cole Ballard played the last few minutes of the game.

Interception? Cobee Bryant made it a hat trick

Whenever KU’s defense needed a stop, cornerback Cobee Bryant answered the call.

Perhaps most vitally right before halftime, as KU led 28-14 and the Cougars were marching down the field.

With UH on the Kansas 44-yard line and 31 seconds left, Bryant picked off an underthrown pass by Houston quarterback Donovan Smith. It was his second interception of the game. Houston had already scored in the final two minutes — and the momentum would have completely swung had it happened again.

On the Cougars’ next drive, their first of the second half, Bryant earned his interception hat trick.

With that pick, Bryant tied the single-game school record. It’s the 4th time a Kansas player has had three interceptions in a game and the first since Bill Crank in 1958.

Bryant is now tied for second in KU football history with Aqib Talib with 13 interceptions. The leader is Ray Evans, with 17.

The defense bounced back

After three straight subpar games, KU’s defense was excellent vs. the Cougars.

Kansas forced four turnovers and limited the Cougars to 335 total yards. KU’s defense also had six sacks and an additional QB hurry.

Early in the game, Houston benched quarterback Zeon Chriss, as he already had one interception.

Although Smith had a little more success, he still threw three interceptions: two to Bryant and one to linebacker Cornell Wheeler.

Kansas finished with four interceptions for the first time since Sept. 8, 2018, vs. Central Michigan.

Perhaps the most promising part of KU’s defensive play was limiting both Houston quarterbacks to just 37 rushing yards. Scrambling quarterbacks had caused issues for the Jayhawks this season, but that was not a factor on Saturday.

Any chance at a bowl game?

The Jayhawks’ preseason Big 12 title hopes have all but evaporated, but their hopes of a bowl game remain alive if they can manufacture a dramatic turnaround.

Saturday was a step in the right direction.

In most cases, it takes six wins to earn a bowl bid. The Jayhawks still have a long way to go, sitting at 2-5, but a loss Saturday would have put them on the brink with games at Kansas State, vs. Iowa State and at BYU — three ranked opponents — up next.

A bowl game remains unlikely, with the Jayhawks needing to finish 4-1, but there’s still some life for Lance Leipold’s team.