The McAlary Effect

[six7]

its a fun conference

[djp73]

You spread the ball out a lot.

That’s a tough loss though.

Yeah we don’t have any stars on offense so I just try to spread it around. Muamba is more of a receiver than a runner but he has been running better than Thompson lately, maybe wear and tear. What I need to figure out is how to get people open for Marshall cause he’s the QB I want to run with. It was like flipping a switch when the other guys came in.

[djp73]

its a fun conference

It is. Good competition

[djp73]

NCAA Update
Week 8

NCAA Headlines
Alabama Soars to No. 1: The Crimson Tide claim the top spot after a close 28-21 victory over Arkansas.
Georgia Stays Unbeaten: Bulldogs win a thriller at Texas A&M, setting up a clash with Arkansas next.
Oregon Stumbles: Former No. 1 falls to Michigan in a high-profile showdown, dropping to sixth.
Illinois Cracks the Top 25: Fighting Illini make their debut at No. 25 after a solid win over Iowa.
Miami Slides Down: Hurricanes fall from fifth to fifteenth after a narrow loss to Virginia Tech.

National Players of the Week
Defensive: Caden Story (Clemson) - Dominated in a 52-28 win at California with 7 tackles and 5 sacks.
Offensive: Landon Sides (North Texas) - Exploded in a 35-6 win vs Army, tallying 7 receptions for 119 yards, 2 receiving touchdowns, and adding 92 rushing yards with 2 rushing touchdowns on 7 carries.

Top 25 Rankings

Top 25 Rankings
Rank	LW	Team	W-L	Pts	Last Week	This Week
1	2	Alabama (41)	7-0	1,601	W 28-21 vs Arkansas	at Texas
2	3	Georgia (36)	7-0	1,561	W 24-23 at Texas A&M	Arkansas
3	4	Oklahoma (7)	8-0	1,488	W 36-19 at Kentucky	at Washington State
4	6	Michigan	6-1	1,474	W 27-21 at Oregon	at Minnesota
5	7	Tennessee	7-1	1,286	W 36-30 at Texas	LSU
6	1	Oregon	6-1	1,276	L 27-21 vs Michigan	at Oklahoma State
7	8	Clemson	6-1	1,239	W 52-28 at California	at Syracuse
8	9	South Carolina	6-1	1,177	W 31-17 vs Mississippi State	14 Florida
9	11	Cincinnati	6-1	1,008	W 19-17 at Arizona	18 Kansas State
10	15	Penn State	5-2	827	W 27-17 vs Purdue	at Northwestern
11	13	Jacksonville State	7-0	821	W 37-20 vs Middle Tennessee St	at Liberty
12	16	USC	5-2	784	W 42-34 vs Maryland	at Rutgers
13	17	SMU	5-2	742	W 34-21 at Louisville	South Alabama
14	18	Florida	5-2	693	W 45-17 at Vanderbilt	at South Carolina
15	5	Miami	5-2	620	L 38-32 vs Virginia Tech	at Wake Forest
16	21	Washington	7-2	589	W 34-31 at Washington State	Indiana
17	22	Charlotte	5-2	472	W 31-7 vs Florida Atlantic	East Carolina
18	23	Kansas State	5-2	472	W 39-25 at Iowa State	at 9 Cincinnati
19	NR	Duke	6-2	368	W 56-7 at Virginia	at NC State
20	NR	Notre Dame	6-3	339	W 31-27 at Florida State	at Navy
21	10	Nevada	6-1	339	L 26-23 at Hawai’i	San Jose State
22	19	Texas A&M	4-3	330	L 24-23 vs Georgia	at Ole Miss
23	NR	Colorado	5-2	307	W 26-21 vs Utah	Vanderbilt
24	NR	Nebraska	5-2	274	W 45-20 at Rutgers	at Michigan State
25	NR	Illinois	5-2	244	W 32-24 vs Iowa	at UCLA

Others receiving votes: San Jose State 197, Pittsburgh 192, Texas 144, Virginia Tech 77, Boise State 48, North Carolina 44
Dropped from rankings: San Jose State, Boise State, Auburn, Texas, Utah

Heisman Watch

Player	POS	School	Last Game
Eli Holstein	QB	Pittsburgh	W at Boston College 35-30, 291 Pass Yds, 5 Pass TD, 60 Rush Yds
Jackson Arnold	QB	Oklahoma	W at Kentucky 36-19, 298 Pass Yds, 5 Pass TD, 23 Rush Yds
Ryan Wingo	WR	Texas	L vs Tennessee 36-30, 116 Rec Yds, 1 Rec TD, 8 Rush Yds
Ty Simpson	QB	Alabama	W vs Arkansas 28-21, 328 Pass Yds, 3 Pass TD, 35 Rush Yds, 1 Rush TD
Gunner Stockton	QB	Georgia	W at Texas A&M 24-23, 232 Pass Yds, 2 Pass TD, 21 Rush Yds

[djp73]

Recruiting Update

McAlary, Kansas land first commit

Kevin Genus, a three star cornerback from Fort Worth, Texas, is the first Kansas commit for the 2027 recruiting cycle. Genus, a 6'3” WR and CB in high school, likely projects as a safety at the college level. Genus possesses good instincts, solid speed and the strength to press receivers at the line.

Genus is ranked 464 in the nation and is the 66th best player in Texas.

Linebacker Tony Street of Choctaw, Oklahoma announced his commitment to Texas State. He previously had Kansas third on his list.

Kansas has also added juco WR Dominick Beard of Boutte, Louisiana. The 6'5” physical receiver is ranked as the 73rd best receiver in the nation. Beard just recently garnered national attention after a strong start to the season at Nunez Community College.

Three star safety Paul Payne of Saint Charles, Missouri has also been added to Kansas' recruiting board. Payne is the 1240th ranked player in the nation.

Recruiting Class (Listed by National Ranking)
##	POS	NAME		Class	NATL	STATE	POS	Home	HT	WT	Signed
01	CB	Kevin Genus		HS	464	66	45	Fort Worth, TX	6'3"	178	Week 8

Recruiting Targets (Listed by National Ranking)
##	POS	NAME		Class	NATL	STATE	POS	Home	HT	WT	Stage | Interest
01	ATH	Diego Maramarosa		HS	30	5	1	Brock, TX	6'1"	208	Top 5 | 2nd
02	CB	Immanuel Jones		HS	312	44	26	Forney, TX	6'1"	177	Top 5 | 1st
03	MLB	Tracey Sledge		HS	456	6	19	Saint Louis, MO	6'2"	238	Top 3 | 1st
04	P	Anthony Newson		HS	553	48	2	Cartersville, GA	6'5"	220	Top 3 | 1st
05	DT	George Boldonado		HS	616	9	34	Saint Louis, MO	6'3"	282	Top 3 | 2nd
06	FS	Emanuel Manuel		HS	625	89	17	Mount Enterprise, TX	5'10"	211	Top 3 | 1st
07	WR	Dominick Beard		JUCO(SO)	606	20	73	Boutte, LA	6'5"	200	Top 10 | 5th
08	CB	Thomas Schilling		HS	675	100	56	Houston, TX	6'0"	172	Top 5 | 1st
09	ROLB	Juan Kay		HS	714	109	37	Frisco, TX	6'1"	233	Top 5 | 1st
10	HB	Zach Boyett		HS	863	12	77	Kansas City, MO	5'9"	198	Top 5 | 2nd
11	DT	Jamerson Sills		HS	868	6	52	Overland Park, KS	6'3"	309	Top 5 | 3rd
12	WR	Sean McGarrity		HS	917	28	106	Tickfaw, LA	6'1"	211	Top 5 | 1st
13	RE	Deandre Steele		HS	951	7	65	Lawrence, KS	6'3"	291	Top 3 | 1st
14	DT	David Clabo		HS	1062	7	65	Fayetteville, AR	6'5"	299	Top 5 | 2nd
15	RE	Darrius Capps		HS	1089	9	74	Wichita, KS	6'2"	264	Top 5 | 1st
16	CB	Josh Alvarado		HS	1096	163	88	Humble, TX	6'1"	180	Top 5 | 1st
17	FS	Paul Payne		HS	1240	19	36	Saint Charles, MO	5'10"	198	Top 8 | 8th
17	SS	Marco Lester		HS	1170	37	30	Alexandria, LA	5'10"	217	Top 3 | 1st
18	ATH	Alex Connor		HS	1481	13	82	Olathe, KS	6'5"	234	Top 5 | 1st
19	P	Rakkim Darby		HS	2108	31	38	Saint Louis, MO	6'4"	213	Top 5 | 1st

Recruits Lost (Listed by National Ranking)
##	POS	NAME		Class	NATL	STATE	POS	Home	HT	WT	Signed
01	RT	Stephen Chancey		HS	290	1	21	Wamego, KS	6'4"	293	Iowa State(Verbal)
02	DT	Nick Ballage		HS	427	2	26	Wichita, KS	6'4"	304	Nebraska(Verbal)
03	ATH	Tyler Jones		HS	574	4	25	Wichita, KS	6'2"	225	Tulsa(Verbal)
04	ROLB	Jordan Roper		HS	590	10	32	Malvern, PA	6'1"	245	Bowling Green(Verbal)
05	MLB	Tony Street		HS	765	8	40	Choctaw, OK	6'2"	227	Texas State(Verbal)
06	RE	Anton Terrill		HS	915	13	62	Saint Louis, MO	6'0"	233	Arkansas State(Verbal)
07	LT	Manny Puente		HS	1277	21	48	Saint Louis. MO	6'6"	304	Missouri(Verbal)
08	MLB	Deandre Rourke		HS	1330	19	66	Owasso, OK	5'11"	225	Tulsa(Verbal)

[djp73]

Marshall Stays QB1 for Kansas
McAlary Stresses Ball Security and Aggression Ahead of BYU Matchup
By Dee Pinya | @dpinya | October 27, 2026



Despite a turbulent stretch in the air attack, Isaiah Marshall will remain the starting quarterback for Kansas as the Jayhawks prepare for their clash against BYU. Head Coach Jordan McAlary announced the decision during his weekly press conference, doubling down on his faith in the young signal-caller while acknowledging the need for improvement in the passing game.

Marshall, who has shown flashes of brilliance throughout the season, has struggled with consistency, particularly in recent weeks. His completion percentage has dipped, and Kansas’ vertical passing game has been notably absent. Yet, for McAlary, the decision to stick with Marshall is about continuity, potential, and a belief in his quarterback’s ability to rebound.

"We’ve got to protect the football—that’s non-negotiable," McAlary said firmly. "Isaiah knows that. But we also can’t shy away from attacking downfield. We’ve been playing it safe at times, and that’s not who we want to be as an offense."

McAlary’s comments come after a stretch of conservative play-calling that has seen Kansas lean heavily on their run game, led by Johnny Thompson Jr. While the ground attack has been effective, the lack of a consistent passing threat has allowed defenses to stack the box, making life tougher for Thompson and the offensive line.

"We have to stretch the field, plain and simple," McAlary continued. "When we don’t push the ball vertically, it puts a lot of pressure on our run game. We need to find a balance where Isaiah can take calculated risks, put pressure on opposing defenses, and still protect the football."

Marshall’s dual-threat capabilities are a key reason why he retains the starting spot. Despite the passing woes, he has been a reliable playmaker with his legs, extending plays and picking up crucial first downs. His ability to escape the pocket has been a safety net for Kansas when the passing game stalls, and McAlary believes that with a few adjustments, Marshall can unlock a new level in the offense.

"Isaiah gives us that edge," McAlary said. "He’s dynamic, he’s tough, and he’s learning every week. We’re going to put him in positions where he can succeed, and that includes taking some shots downfield. We trust his decision-making, but we also need him to play loose and confident."

The matchup against BYU offers a chance for Marshall to regain his rhythm. The Cougars’ defense has been susceptible to deep plays, and McAlary hinted at a more aggressive game plan. Expect to see Kansas test BYU’s secondary early, aiming to keep the defense honest and open up lanes for Thompson in the running game.

For now, the message from McAlary is clear: Kansas isn’t backing down from their offensive philosophy. They want to protect the ball, but they also want to win games on their terms—by putting pressure on defenses and trusting Isaiah Marshall to lead the way.

"We’re not afraid to take our shots," McAlary concluded. "It’s about balance and execution. Isaiah’s our guy, and we believe in him. It’s time to let it fly."

[djp73]

Game Preview

1-6(0-4) | 5-2(3-1)
Saturday, October 31st 2026
David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium | Lawrence, Kansas
---
BYU Season Results
Week 1 L 3-31 @ East Carolina
Week 2 W 28-7 vs FCS East
Week 4 L 13-45 vs Iowa State
Week 5 L 14-17 vs Cincinnati
Week 6 L 10-44 @ Utah
Week 7 L 14-27 vs South Florida
Week 8 L 10-31 @ UCF
---
Team Leaders

Passing | QB Isaiah Marshall – 945Yds 5TD 10Int
Rushing | HB Johnny Thompson Jr – 774Yds 5TD
Receiving | WR Damien Keo – 347Yds 4TD
Tackles | LB Roddy Orr - 48
Sacks | DE Greydon Grimes – 8.5
Interceptions | SS Taylor Davis, CB Jeremiah Moses - 4


Passing | QB Treyson Bourguet – 1,640Yds 7TD 3Int
Rushing | HB Ahmad Antwine – 272Yds 3TD
Receiving | WR Darien Aldridge – 384Yds 2TD
Tackles | LB Cade Uluave - 52
Sacks | DE Bodie Schoonover – 5.0
Interceptions | CB Zion Allen - 2

Injuries
Kansas – None
BYU – RT Deion Spriggs, C Jared Thurston

[djp73]

Game Report

Kansas Secures Thrilling Overtime Victory Against BYU, 36-23


23 |OT| 36
1-7(0-5) | 6-2(4-1)
Saturday, October 31st 2026
David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium | Lawrence, Kansas
---
|07|00|10|06|00|23
|10|03|03|07|13|36
---

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Lawrence, Kansas - In a game filled with drama and heroics, the Kansas Jayhawks emerged victorious in overtime, defeating BYU 36-23 on Halloween night. The win moves Kansas to 6-2 on the season, as they overcame a potent BYU passing attack and leaned on a career performance from quarterback Isaiah Marshall.

Kansas Head Coach Jordan McAlary showed his faith in Marshall, sticking with the redshirt sophomore despite recent struggles in the passing game. That confidence paid off as Marshall delivered one of his best games of the season, throwing for 317 yards and a touchdown while adding a rushing score. Despite being sacked six times by a relentless BYU defense, Marshall remained poised, making good decisions and keeping the ball safe.

"Isaiah showed the kind of quarterback he can be today," McAlary said after the game. "He took the hits, made big throws, and led this team when we needed him most. He’s our guy, and he proved why today."

The Jayhawks’ aerial attack was spearheaded by wide receiver Damien Keo, who caught 11 passes for 173 yards, including a 26-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter that kept Kansas in the game. Running back Johnny Thompson Jr. added 96 yards on the ground and punched in a crucial 3-yard touchdown in overtime to give Kansas the lead.

Kansas' passing game was hampered by a series of dropped passes, a recurring issue that has stunted their offensive rhythm in recent weeks. Even Jaden Hamm, typically a reliable target for Isaiah Marshall, had a rare off night with three drops, including a crucial third-down miss that stalled a key drive in the second half. Coach McAlary acknowledged the uncharacteristic miscues, emphasizing the need for sharper execution as the Jayhawks push deeper into their season.

Avery Muamba provided a versatile spark, rushing for 66 yards and adding 40 yards receiving. Kansas’ balanced offensive attack racked up 508 total yards, grinding down BYU’s defense over the course of the game.

Kicker Shaq Durham was a steady presence for Kansas, delivering a clutch performance in the win over BYU. Durham connected on all three of his field goal attempts, including a 42-yarder in the first quarter and a pivotal 28-yarder just before halftime. He also went a perfect 3-for-3 on extra points, providing the Jayhawks with consistent scoring and helping them maintain momentum throughout the game.

On the defensive side, Kansas had trouble containing BYU quarterback Treyson Bourguet, who threw for 369 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Devin Downing was nearly unstoppable, hauling in nine passes for 200 yards. But when it mattered most, the Jayhawks' defense stepped up.

Roddy Orr led Kansas with 11 tackles, while Tony Terry was a force up front, notching two sacks, including a pivotal takedown late in the fourth quarter that forced BYU to punt. Braxton Slater and Greydon Grimes also added sacks, contributing to a strong pass rush.

The biggest play of the game came in overtime, immediately following Thompson Jr.’s touchdown run. With BYU needing a touchdown to keep the game alive, Kansas cornerback Jeremiah Moses made the play of the season. He leapt into the air, snagged Bourguet’s pass, and raced 97 yards down the sideline for a touchdown, sealing the 36-23 victory.

"That’s a play you dream of making," Moses said with a smile. "I saw the ball, jumped for it, and just took off. It’s a great feeling to help the team win like this."

The win is a significant boost for Kansas as they continue their push in Big 12 play. McAlary’s squad showed resilience, responding to adversity and making the critical plays when it mattered most.

Additional Media





















Scoring Summary
First Quarter:
(KU) Shaq Durham, 42-yard FG, 4:58
(BYU) Bentley Redden, 17-yard pass from Treyson Bourguet (Matthias Dunn kick), 3:38
(KU) Isaiah Marshall, 7-yard run (Shaq Durham kick), 1:11
Second Quarter:
(KU) Shaq Durham, 35-yard FG, 0:42
Third Quarter:
(BYU) Matthias Dunn, 47-yard FG, 5:05
(BYU) Sergio Sousa, 7-yard pass from Treyson Bourguet (Matthias Dunn kick), 1:24
(KU) Shaq Durham, 28-yard FG, 0:06
Fourth Quarter:
(BYU) Matthias Dunn, 35-yard FG, 5:28
(KU) Damien Keo, 26-yard pass from Isaiah Marshall (Shaq Durham kick), 3:09
(BYU) Matthias Dunn, 24-yard FG, 1:17
Overtime:
(KU) Johnny Thompson Jr., 3-yard run (Shaq Durham kick)
(KU) Jeremiah Moses, 97-yard interception return (no extra point attempted)

Key Statistics

Passing – I. Marshall 21/36 317Yds 1TD
Rushing – J. Thompson Jr 23Car 96Yds 1TD, A. Muamba 9Car 66Yds, I. Marshall 15Car 25Yds 1TD
Receiving – D. Keo 11Rec 173Yds 1TD, K. Kubecka 2Rec 62Yds, A. Muamba 5Rec 40Yds
Tackles – R. Orr 11, K. Purdy 8
Sacks – T. Terry 2.0, B. Slater 1.0, G. Grimes 1.0
Takeaways – J. Moses 1Int 1TD
Special Teams – S. Durham 3/3FG 3/3XP, D. Greaves 5Pt 51.0Avg, A. Muamba 1KR 21Yds 2PR 11Yds, M. Cooke 1KR 18Yds


Passing – T. Bourguet 24/35 369Yds 2TD 1Int
Rushing – A. Antwine 18Car 66Yds, B. Redden 1Car 16Yds
Receiving – D. Downing 9Rec 200Yds, D. Aldridge 4Rec 52Yds, A. Antwine 3Rec 37Yds, B. Redden 3Rec 35Yds 1TD, J. Bowers 2Rec 28Yds, S. Sousa 3Rec 17Yds 1TD
Tackles – C. Uluave 15, P. Rex 14, H. Taggart 13
Sacks – W. Bartow 2.0, A. Kaufusi 2.0, B. Schoonover 1.0, A. Moa 1.0
Takeaways – N/A
Special Teams – M. Dunn 3/4 FG 2/2XP, L. Rehkow 3PT 42.3Avg, G. Blount 2KR 37Yds, J. Ogundeji 1KR 11Yds

Up Next

[James]

Spooky uniforms and a big win.

[djp73]

Spooky uniforms and a big win.

had to black out on halloween, should have restarted until the crowd was blacked out but oh well

i thought for sure they were going to beat us since we couldnt stop their passing attack but big plays at the end of regulation and in overtime got us the win