Can No. 6 BYU slow down a rejuvenated Kansas offense?

PROVO (KSL.com) — One year ago, Jalon Daniels sliced up BYU for 130 yards and three touchdowns as the Jayhawks gave the Cougars a rude awakening to the Big 12 with a 38-27 win in Lawrence, Kansas.

That was a rare highlight for Daniels, who played in just three games due to injury.

But the junior from Lawndale, California, is back to the highest level as both teams prepare for Saturday’s rematch at LaVell Edwards Stadium (8:15 p.m. MST, ESPN).

Daniels has thrown for 1,816 yards and 13 touchdowns with nine interceptions, and is a top-50 quarterback per ESPN’s QBR as he prepares to face the No. 6-ranked Cougars.

And after last year’s show, BYU isn’t taking anything for granted against Daniels or his legs, where he’s run for 323 yards and six touchdowns in his fifth season.

“They’ve got a really dynamic offense, a lot of weapons and a couple of good receivers,” said BYU safety Tanner Wall, one of 11 BYU players with an interception. “Devin Neal has got to be one of the best backs in our league, as well.

“We’ve definitely got a good challenge, as well.”

A year ago, the Jayhawks gave BYU a rude awakening to life in the Big 12.

Parker Kingston was knocked out with a head injury, Ben Bywater’s season was cut short by a shoulder injury that would ultimately end his career, and the Cougars took a 38-27 loss back to Provo after their first Big 12 road trip.

Harrison Taggart still remembers the game.

Every single week is, in my opinion, a big game,” Taggart said. “The Big 12 is an amazing conference, and we’ve seen that this year and we’ve seen that last year. There’s tons of talent in the Big 12.”

The Jayhawks are just 3-6, but after opening the season 1-5 have won two of their past three games including a 45-36 victory over Iowa State that handed the Cyclones a second loss in conference play.

“Seeing what they did against Iowa State, and then talk about what happened last year, they did give us that Big 12 awakening,” Taggart added. “I think that gives our team a little bit of a chip on our shoulder.

“I’ve got a little bit of a chip on my shoulder personally, but I’m just going to do my thing and prep like it’s a normal week and go out there and play.”

After last year’s loss, can the Cougars return the favor Saturday night under the lights in Provo?

“We know we can play better than what we did against them,” BYU coach Kalani Sitake said. “We are excited for that opportunity to play them again at our house. A lot of their guys are back, so the matchup is going to be awesome.

“They have a lot to prove and had a great game last week, have a ton of talent and are well-coached. Their football IQ is impressive, and they’re playing well right now.”

The Jayhawks (3-6, 2-4 Big 12) are led by a dynamic offense under head coach Lance Leipold, a six-time NCAA Division III national champion at Wisconsin-Whitewater, and former BYU offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes that averages 31.7 points per game, and a defense that allows just 25.9.

Of Kansas’ six losses, five have come by 6 points or less. After struggling early, Daniels has thrown just one interception in the last four games, including 295 yards and three scores in a win over Iowa State.

“It’s definitely eye-opening to see the way they came out and beat a team like Iowa State in the fashion they did,” Wall said. “But they’ve also lost so many close, one-possession games. They’ve been in every game, and their offense scores a lot of points.

“It’s going to be a good battle.”

He’s also getting some help from Neal, the running back with 874 yards and 10 touchdowns that included 116 yards and two scores in a 45-36 win over the Cyclones that cemented him as the program’s all-time leading rusher.

“Their offense is really dynamic,” Taggart said. “They have a bunch of weapons, whether it’s through the quarterback, the receiver, their running back is really good as well.

“I think their O-line is really good, too. Overall, they’re a well put-together team, and just shutting down their weapons, playing how we’ve been playing ball, and getting the ball back to our offense will be really important for this week.”