Kansas football vs Fresno State grades: Jayhawks open new-look stadium with victory

LAWRENCE — Kansas football earned a 31-7 win Saturday at home in non-conference play against Fresno State.

Here’s how the Jayhawks (1-0) graded out from their victory against the Bulldogs (0-1):

RELATED: Kansas football vs Fresno State final score: Jayhawks capture win in season opener at home

Offense: Kansas newcomers shine

The first three touchdowns the Jayhawks scored incorporated a newcomer who transferred in during the offseason. Two receiving scores by redshirt junior wide receiver Cam Pickett and a rushing score by redshirt senior running back Leshon Williams. With as many players as KU added to the roster, it was only a matter of time until one found the end zone, but it’s a positive sign that they got involved so quickly. Redshirt senior quarterback Jalon Daniels didn’t show any signs of rust, either.

Grade: A

Defense: Jayhawks settle down, stymie Bulldogs

Things looked shaky early, as tackles were missed and Fresno State drove for a touchdown on its first offensive possession to help tie the score at 7-7 in the first quarter. But Kansas’ defense started to settle down after that, got more pressure on the Bulldogs’ quarterback, and avoided the letdowns that allowed that initial drive to continue. As the game progressed, redshirt senior safety Devin Dye collected the team’s first interception — and turnover — of the season, and Fresno State never scored again.

Grade: A

Special teams: Laith Marjan delivers

Kansas just needs consistency and reliability from redshirt senior kicker Laith Marjan, and that’s what it got on Saturday. Marjan finished perfectly on his extra points and lone field goal. The return game wasn’t much of a factor, but the Jayhawks also didn’t turn the ball over there either.

Grade: A

Coaching: Aggressive mentality helps propel Jayhawks to win

Kansas showed its willingness to be aggressive offensively early, evidenced by the touchdown run by Williams that came on a 4th and 1 situation in the first quarter. The Jayhawks were also creative with their formations defensively, sometimes putting five defensive linemen on the field together. Inside the new-look David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, the Jayhawks are 1-0.

Grade: A

Overall grade: A

Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He was the 2022 National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas. Contact him at [email protected] or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas football vs Fresno State report card: Jayhawks open with win