COMMENTARY
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. Kansas has long been the game on the Big 12 slate that was easy to ignore. The Jayhawks haven’t had a winning season in over a decade, and the same can be said since the last time they won at least five games.
Kansas jumped up and bit West Virginia when the Mountaineers made their first trip to Lawrence in 2013, but that was toward the end of one of the worst seasons in recent memory for WVU.
That didn’t stop the Kansas faithful from storming the field and ripping down the goalposts as if they had just claimed a berth in the College Football Playoff.
Wait, sorry, we’re going back to 2013, so a BCS National Championship berth.
Outside of the one hiccup, the Mountaineers are 6-1 against the Jayhawks since joining the Big 12 in 2012 and are outscoring K.U. by an average of 43-19. It’s been one-sided in favor of WVU, but that doesn’t mean Kansas hasn’t had its fair share of memorable moments, and one of those will rear its ugly head today when both teams face off at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.
Last year, with WVU quarterback Will Grier near the top of the Heisman conversation, the Jayhawks had three first-half interceptions, all while West Virginia was driving in for a score. While the brakes weren’t totally slammed on Grier’s Heisman chances until the Iowa State game, Kansas was able to at least pump them.
But two years ago, in Lawrence, K.U.’s running back had his coming out party. Khalil Herbert gashed and slashed the West Virginia defense for 291 yards and two touchdowns. His performance gave the Mountaineers a scare in the second half — after trailing by as many as 25 in the first half, the Jayhawks got within eight before WVU pulled away late.
Fast-forward to now, Herbert may be one of the best backs in the Big 12, and unlike last time, has a partner in the backfield in Pooka Williams that could give K.U. the best tandem in the conference.
“We’ll be hard-pressed to find a better duo in the league,” WVU coach Neal Brown said.
Williams broke onto the scene after a spectacular freshman campaign a year ago, which forced Herbert into a decreased role. But early in coach Les Miles’ tenure, it appears he’s willing to spread the wealth. They are combining for 229 yards per game, with Herbert averaging 119, third in the Big 12, and Williams averaging 110, third in the league.
Kansas broke an 11-year streak of road losses to Power 5 teams last week at Boston College. Coming in as 22-point underdogs, the Jayhawks rattled off a 48-24 win, thanks in large part to the performances of Herbert and Williams. Herbert erupted for 187 yards on 11 carries with a touchdown, while Williams had 121 yards and a score on 22 carries.
After being demoted to a clear backup a year ago, Herbert is making the most of his senior season.
“Khalil is a style of man that a team roots for and enjoys when he has success,” Miles said. “He’s a physical runner. He has ability to make cuts that put you in a very awkward position. He sits in the center of our unity council. He’s just a very quality man.”
Reese Donahue, who was a part of the defense that was gashed by Herbert two years ago, knows what type of challenge they’ll bring Saturday.
“They’re quick and agile, but also strong when they need to be,” Donahue said. “We’ve talked all week about how the two best backs in the Big 12 are likely at Kansas. So we’re excited to play them and see what we can do.”
Still, Donahue doesn’t think what happened in 2017 will translate to now, especially since the Mountaineers are under new defensive coordinator Vic Koenning rather than Tony Gibson.
“We’re under a whole new staff, scheme and mentality,” Donahue said. “It’s hard to compare the two.”
Koenning knows the challenges his unit will face — WVU has struggled in the first half defensively in each of the first three games, but have yet to allow a second half touchdown. Putting together a complete game will be critical, especially when facing two of the best running backs the Mountaineers will see all season.
“Those two guys are very good — they can take the ball anywhere on the field and make it a touchdown,” Koenning said. “One’s a little more powerful and a little bigger, and the other is very quick and very elusive. It’s gonna take all we’ve got to corral these guys.”
While it always seems easy to overlook Kansas when looking at the football slate, the K.U. backfield is certainly something to fear heading into today’s game. While the classic “trap game” is cliche, with WVU coming off a big win over N.C. State and Texas looming in two weeks at Milan Puskar Stadium, this one is certainly nothing to scoff at.
