Kansas Pulls Off Historic Upset, Tops No. 6 BYU 17-13 in Thrilling Victory
In a stunning display of resilience and execution, the Kansas Jayhawks (4-6, 3-4 Big 12) pulled off a monumental 17-13 upset over No. 6 BYU (9-1, 6-1) on Saturday night in Provo, handing the Cougars their first loss of the season. For Kansas, this was a historic win — their second straight upset of a ranked opponent, a feat the program has never achieved before, and it kept their hopes alive for a third consecutive bowl appearance despite a rocky start to the season.
The Jayhawks' Ground Game Dominates
The key to Kansas’ success was a balanced attack that played to their strengths. Quarterback Jalon Daniels threw for 169 yards, while star running back Devin Neal delivered a crucial performance on the ground, rushing for 52 yards and two touchdowns. Neal’s first touchdown, a powerful 8-yard run on Kansas’ opening drive, set the tone for the game, as the Jayhawks jumped out to an early 7-0 lead.
In the second half, with the game knotted at 13-10 entering the final quarter, Neal delivered the game-winning blow with a 3-yard touchdown run to give Kansas a 17-13 lead. It was a gritty performance from Neal, who also eclipsed 4,000 career rushing yards with his efforts, solidifying his place as one of the program's all-time greats.
BYU Struggles in the Red Zone
BYU, which had been dominant throughout the season, particularly on offense, failed to capitalize on their opportunities in the red zone. The Cougars amassed 354 total yards, but their inability to finish drives in the red zone proved costly. They went 2-for-4 inside the 20-yard line, failing to score a touchdown on any of their four trips inside the Kansas 20.
Quarterback Jake Retzlaff threw for 192 yards, but his efforts were stymied by missed opportunities, including a critical interception by Kansas’ Mello Dotson in the end zone right before halftime. Dotson’s pick kept the Cougars from adding another touchdown, as BYU had driven 70 yards in just over a minute and seemed poised to extend their lead.
Head coach Kalani Sitake admitted afterward that his team’s failure to execute in the red zone was a major factor in the loss: "We just didn't make enough plays and made too many mistakes to come out with the victory."
A Key Special Teams Play and a Critical Defensive Stop
Perhaps the most pivotal moment of the game came late in the fourth quarter, when Kansas executed a brilliant special teams play. With Kansas holding a slim 13-10 lead, Daniels was forced to quick-kick on a fourth-and-14 when the Jayhawks’ drive stalled at the BYU 36-yard line. Daniels' kick deflected off the helmet of BYU’s Evan Johnson, and the ball popped loose. Kansas’ Quentin Skinner was quick to recover the fumble, setting up Neal’s game-winning 3-yard run just moments later.
The Cougars weren’t done, though. BYU drove into Kansas territory one last time, reaching the Jayhawks' 15-yard line with just under two minutes remaining. But on third-and-4, after a false start penalty, BYU’s offense sputtered. They managed just four yards on three consecutive runs, and with 46 seconds left, they turned the ball over on downs when receiver Chase Roberts was tackled 3 yards short of a first down. Kansas’ defense, which had been solid all night, stood tall when it mattered most.
"I’ve got to give credit to our defense," said Daniels. "We had all the confidence in the world that they were going to make the stop."
A Tale of Two Halves
The game was a tale of two halves. Kansas started strong, with Neal’s touchdown putting them in control early. BYU responded with a 30-yard touchdown pass from Retzlaff to Hinckley Ropati, but it wasn’t enough to gain momentum. BYU would briefly take the lead in the second quarter with a field goal, but Kansas kept it close throughout, tying the game at 10-10 at halftime thanks to a late field goal from the Jayhawks.
The Cougars came out in the third quarter with a 17-play, 66-yard drive that ate up over 10 minutes of clock, but a 35-yard field goal was all they could manage, leaving the score tied heading into the final period. Kansas’ defense held firm throughout the second half, limiting BYU to just a field goal after halftime and thwarting the Cougars’ red-zone chances.
Looking Ahead for Kansas
With the victory, Kansas continues to push toward bowl eligibility, improving their record to 4-6 and keeping alive the hope of a third consecutive bowl appearance. The Jayhawks will need to win their final two games to secure a spot in postseason play, but with this win over a top-10 team, they’ve shown they are more than capable of overcoming adversity.
"Coming into this game, we knew it was going to be a tough battle," said Kansas head coach Lance Leipold. "But our guys just found a way to get it done. This was a huge win for our program."
For BYU, the loss is a tough blow as they continue their pursuit of a playoff spot. With their one loss now on the record, the Cougars will need to regroup quickly and avoid further slip-ups if they hope to stay in contention for a New Year’s Six bowl game.
Final Thoughts
Saturday night’s game was a reminder that anything can happen in college football. Kansas proved they have the heart and the talent to compete with the best, while BYU, despite their impressive record, learned the hard way that you can’t afford to leave points on the field — especially in the red zone. For now, the Jayhawks are savoring one of the biggest wins in recent memory, while BYU will look to rebound and get back on track as they prepare for the stretch run of the season.
Cameron Williams
DiSportsPhotoAgency
Senior Writer
