Kansas football vs. West Virginia: Five things to know about Jayhawks’ Big 12 opener

After a second straight upset defeat, the Kansas Jayhawks are hoping to regroup with Big 12 play up next.

The Jayhawks lost 23-20 to UNLV at Children’s Mercy Park on Friday. Coach Lance Leipold said he wouldn’t make excuses after the loss.

“We have to own that we aren’t playing well enough to win,” Leipold said. “It starts with the head coach. I need to do better and our staff needs to do better, and we will find a way.”

Kansas will aim to stop its losing streak against West Virginia on Saturday. WVU lost 38-34 to Pittsburgh over the weekend.

Here’s more about this week’s game:

KU football vs. WVU game details

Kickoff: 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21

Where: Milan Puskar Stadium, Morgantown, West Virginia

TV: ESPN2

Radio: Jayhawk Radio Network; WHB (810) in Kansas City; Wichita 92.3

Early betting line: West Virginia is a 2.5-point favorite.

Five things to know

1. These teams last met in 2022; Kansas won a 55-42 overtime shootout. Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels threw for three touchdowns, while cornerback Cobee Bryant had a pick-six in overtime. Kansas is 2-9 against the Mountaineers since West Virginia joined the Big 12. The Jayhawks have won their last two Big 12 openers overall.

2. WVU is led by senior quarterback Garrett Greene. He has completed 48 of 81 passes for 607 yards and five touchdowns through three games. He threw for 210 yards and two touchdowns vs. Pittsburgh, but also threw for two interceptions. He has completed 59.3% of his passes this season.

3. Senior safety Anthony Wilson Jr. leads the Mountaineers with 22 tackles. Still, he isn’t much of a turnover-creator, with three interceptions since he started playing college football in 2020. Although he hasn’t picked off anyone this season, he does have one pass deflection.

4. WVU had one of the best running back groups in the Big 12 last season. That was the combo of CJ Donaldson Jr. and Jahiem White. WVU averaged 228.9 yards per game last season on the ground. This season, the duo has combined for 425 yards and five touchdowns. Both running backs are averaging over five yards a carry.

5. For both teams, this game is pretty important. For KU, it is a chance to end a two-game losing streak and right the ship for its Big 12 Championship aspirations. Meanwhile, WVU came into the season picked to finish No. 7 in the Big 12 preseason poll. The Mountaineers enter off a tough loss to a regional rival in Pittsburgh, and beating a reeling Kansas team with big hopes would be huge for conference play.