MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Kansas football team’s fairy-tale season ended in heartbreaking fashion Wednesday night.
Arkansas defeated the Jayhawks, 55-53, in a triple-overtime Liberty Bowl thriller at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium — KU’s first bowl appearance since 2008.
After coming back from a 25-point deficit, the Jayhawks’ fate was sealed when they failed to convert a two-point conversion in the third overtime.
The Razorbacks jumped to a 31-7 lead and led 38-13 midway through the third quarter. But Kansas made a furious comeback in the second half. After recovering an onside kick, the Jayhawks had a four-play, 50-yard drive and converted the two-point conversion to make it 38-all.
The teams traded touchdowns in the first overtime to force a second overtime.
After the Jayhawks scored a touchdown that cut the deficit to two points at 53-51, KU quarterback Jalon Daniels was leveled on a two-point conversion attempt. A targeting penalty was whistled on Arkansas, giving the Jayhawks another chance.
They made good on the re-do, tying the game again, 53-53, with Daniels’ pass to tight end Jared Casey.
In the third and final overtime, KU ran a reverse that put the ball in the hands of backup quarterback Jason Bean. Instead of running for the goal line, Bean attempted a pass that sailed high through the end zone.
Daniels finished 37 of 55 for 544 total yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions. He also ran for a touchdown. His six total touchdowns and passing-yardage total were new Liberty Bowl records.
With the loss, the Jayhawks (6-7, 3-5 Big 12) fail to finish over .500 for the 13th straight year. Kansas is now 6-7 in bowls and 0-2 in the Liberty Bowl.
Arkansas (7-6, 3-5 SEC) won a bowl for the second consecutive year, improving to 17-24-3 in postseason games. The Razorbacks are now 3-3 in the Liberty Bowl.
KU starts spring football on Feb. 28. The Jayhawks will have plenty of time to figure out how to improve their weaknesses.
Here is some instant reaction from the game:
Early mistakes put KU in a hole
For the first eight minutes of the first quarter, it felt like it could be anybody’s game. Then Arkansas took flight.
Razorback quarterback KJ Jefferson connected with wide receiver Matt Landers for a 59-yard touchdown pass on busted coverage by KU’s defensive back. That put Arkansas up 10-7 with 6:05 left in the first.
