Devin Neal's milestone day helps Kansas beat No. 17 Iowa State

Field Level Media|published: Sat 9th November, 19:27 2024

Nov 9, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas Jayhawks running back Devin Neal (4) runs the ball during the first quarter against the Iowa State Cyclones at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images

Jalon Daniels was 12-of-24 passing for 295 yards and two touchdowns and Devin Neal added two rushing touchdowns as Kansas defeated No. 17 Iowa State on 45-36 Saturday in Kansas City, Mo.

All of Kansas' conference home games are being played at Arrowhead Stadium because of stadium renovations in Lawrence, Kan.

Neal passed June Henley for the career rushing yardage leader on his first carry of the game. He finished the game with 116 rushing yards, giving him 3,951 in his career.

Rocco Becht was 24-of-37 for 383 yards for Iowa State (7-2, 4-2 Big 12), which has lost two straight games.

The Jayhawks (3-6, 2-4 Big 12) kept their slim bowl hopes alive.

Neal stretched a 31-13 halftime lead with his second touchdown of the game, and the 43rd of his career, early in the second half.

Carson Hansen answered with a 13-yard touchdown for ISU. Becht's 27-yard touchdown pass to Jaylon Jackson and Becht's 2-point conversion trimmed the deficit to 38-28. But Becht threw an interception to Mello Dotson, who returned it 25 yards for the clinching score with 5:58 remaining.

Becht hit Jaylin Noel with an 18-yard touchdown, but Kansas was able to run out the clock.

Iowa State started the scoring with a 99-yard drive following a Kansas punt on its opening drive. Becht hit Noel for a 27-yard touchdown to cap a seven-play drive.

Kansas responded quickly. Daniels hit Luke Grimm across the middle on the Jayhawks' second play and Grimm went 70 yards for the tying touchdown. On the next drive, Neal went around the left end for a 13-yard touchdown run, his 42nd rushing touchdown of his career for a Kansas record.

Daniels then found Quentin Skinner for a 24-yard touchdown and a two-score lead.

Kyle Konrardy hit a 22-yard field goal for Iowa State.

But Daniels found Skinner for a 62-yard pass down the right sideline, setting up Daniels' 2-yard touchdown run.

Tabor Allen then hit a 47-yard field goal to match his career best with 1:01 left in the first half.

Konrardy hit a 38-yard field goal in the final play of the half.

--Field Level Media

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