Devin Neal Shines as Kansas Stuns No. 17 Iowa State in 45-36 Win at Arrowhead
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — On a day when history was made and a thrilling offensive battle unfolded, the Kansas Jayhawks (3-6, 2-4 Big 12) pulled off a hard-fought 45-36 victory over No. 17 Iowa State (7-2, 4-2 Big 12) at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday. The game, marked by a standout performance from running back Devin Neal, also featured clutch plays from quarterback Jalon Daniels and a determined Kansas defense.
Devin Neal Makes History
The story of the day was Kansas running back Devin Neal, who etched his name into the record books in spectacular fashion. On his very first carry of the game, Neal sprinted for a 14-yard run, breaking the all-time Kansas rushing record previously held by June Henley. With that run, Neal surpassed Henley’s career rushing yardage total, amassing 3,951 yards.
But Neal wasn’t done yet. His two rushing touchdowns — a 13-yard run in the first quarter and a 10-yard scamper in the third — brought his career total to 43, setting a new program record for rushing touchdowns, surpassing Henley’s mark of 41.
After the game, Kansas head coach Lance Leipold was full of praise for Neal. “I’m very happy for Devin and all of his teammates who have been part of this all the way through,” Leipold said. “It’s because of the type of player he’s been and the person he’s been. He’s humble and hard-working. I’m so happy he did it in front of our home fans in our home away from home this year.”
Neal himself expressed his pride in the achievement but emphasized the team aspect of the victory. “The best part was getting [the records] in a win,” Neal said. “That's a real good team over there. I was proud to be part of this team.”
Jalon Daniels and Big Plays
While Neal’s performance dominated the headlines, Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels delivered a number of key throws, including a momentum-shifting 70-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Luke Grimm. The play came just after Iowa State had driven 99 yards to take a 7-0 lead, silencing the Arrowhead crowd. The quick strike from Daniels to Grimm — a pass that wasn’t part of the Jayhawks' usual playbook — tied the game at 7-7 and gave Kansas the confidence they needed to seize control of the game.
Daniels finished 12 of 24 for 295 yards, with two touchdowns through the air. His ability to respond under pressure and make big plays kept Kansas ahead for most of the game. “That was a really good drive, an impressive drive for them to go 99 yards,” Leipold said of Iowa State’s opening drive. “For us to answer that quickly really kind of settled it back down and got it back to neutral. That was a big play.”
Iowa State's Offensive Push
Despite the loss, Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht had a stellar outing. Becht threw for 383 yards, completing 24 of 37 passes and throwing three touchdowns. He engineered a flawless seven-play, 99-yard drive to open the game, culminating in a 27-yard touchdown pass to Jaylin Noel.
However, despite Becht’s best efforts, the Cyclones couldn’t keep pace with Kansas. Iowa State’s offense started strong, but they struggled to sustain drives, especially after Neal’s second touchdown in the third quarter gave the Jayhawks a commanding 38-13 lead. Iowa State would rally, as Becht found Carson Hansen for a 13-yard touchdown and then Jaylon Jackson for a 27-yard score, cutting the deficit to 38-28.
The Cyclones weren’t finished, as Becht ran in a 2-point conversion to further trim the margin. But Kansas’s defense stood tall when it mattered most. With just under six minutes remaining, Kansas cornerback Mello Dotson intercepted Becht and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown, effectively sealing the win for the Jayhawks. Iowa State’s last-ditch effort to close the gap ended with a late touchdown from Becht to Noel, but it wasn’t enough.
Kansas’s Playoff Hopes Alive, Iowa State's Title Chances Diminished
With the victory, Kansas remains in the hunt for a third straight bowl appearance, a program first. The Jayhawks must win out, with upcoming games against BYU and Colorado — both currently near the top of the Big 12 standings. If they can secure victories in these two matchups, Kansas could be on its way to a bowl game for the third consecutive year.
For Iowa State, the loss drops them to 7-2 and effectively eliminates any hopes of a College Football Playoff berth. While they remain in the race for the Big 12 title, they will need help and must now win out to stay in the hunt.
The Road Ahead
Iowa State: The Cyclones return home to host Cincinnati next Saturday, as they look to get back on track and keep their Big 12 title hopes alive.
Kansas: The Jayhawks head to BYU next Saturday for a pivotal matchup that could determine their bowl eligibility.
In the end, it was a historic day for Devin Neal, a thrilling contest full of big plays, and a win that could define Kansas’s season. While the Jayhawks celebrate their victory, Iowa State is left with a tough road ahead to maintain its Big 12 title aspirations.
Author
Cameron Williams
DiSportsPhotoAgency
Senior Writer
