Week Thirteen Jayhawk Spotlight: Devin Neal

Kansas has won three games in a row, all three against teams ranked in the AP Top 25, the first time a team with a losing record has ever accomplished that feat. And the Jayhawks absolutely pummeled the Colorado Buffaloes on Senior Day at Arrowhead thanks to the best player the program has seen since Todd Reesing. You know we’re talking about The Real Deal Devin Neal.

Neal ran the ball 37 times for 207 yards against Colorado, an average of 5.6 yards per carry. Add in the 80 yards he grabbed through the air, and you have a monumental night. His four touchdowns on the night brought him to a total of 52 for his Kansas career, a record. And while we’re talking about records, Neal of course smashed the all-time rushing records in this wonderful run of form as well as becoming the only player in Kansas history with three 1,000+ yard rushing seasons. What a performance, a legacy ensuring game. Put him in the Ring of Honor next season. Commission the statue now. But first and foremost, give the man the ball next weekend.

Now, beyond the obvious. It’s hard to see the easy success that Kansas is having running the ball with Neal and not think back to the early season struggles, in particular the losses to Illinois, TCU, and to a lesser degree, Arizona State. In those games, Neal only ran the ball 14 times in each game. Now, this isn’t drastically off his season average of 18 rushing attempts per game. But considering the way that quarterback Jalon Daniels was obviously not comfortable with the offense yet especially in the first two games mentioned, it made no sense that the best running back in the history of the school was being limited.

The Illinois game stands out the most because even after all was said and done in all the other late losses, this game was the most winnable. In that game, Neal ran the ball 14 times for 101 yards, an average of 7.2 yards per carry. Why on Earth was Jalon Daniels allowed to continue to throw and throw and throw and throw? The man wasn’t comfortable yet and Neal is almost an automatic five yards. Take into account Daniels’ three interceptions, and the choices that were made verge on criminal. Or at least criminally insane.

When Illinois took a late 20-17 lead, Kansas immediately went three and out, only handing it to Neal on second down. The drive before Illinois took the lead for good was another three and out for KU. Neal gained seven on first down and the Jayhawks decided on two pass attempts that failed and were forced to punt. The decision making was curious then, but for some reason, the coaching staff didn’t learn anything for a long while.

Against TCU, Neal was crucial to setting up KU’s first three touchdowns, making sizable gains to set up a long pass to Lawrence Arnold and scoring the middle of the three touchdowns. Then, for no discernable reason, the offensive masterminds at KU decided against using Neal. After TCU took a 35-27 lead, Kansas had a three and out when Neal never touched the ball, and after another TCU field goal, KU went out on downs, again with Devin Neal not even featuring once. Not a screen pass, not a misdirection. Nothing. Keep in mind, when the first drive commenced, KU was down one score with over four and half minutes to play. To not give it to Neal even once is malpractice.

But, better late than never to rectify this extremely obvious lapse of judgment. Colorado’s run defense had been effective until Saturday, Kansas going strength against strength and coming out on top because of the sheer talent of Devin Neal. Baylor gives up over 150 yards on the ground each game, so look for more of Devin Neal in the season finale in Waco.

It’s hard to imagine that the powers that be in the Kansas offensive coaching staff didn’t know where their bread was buttered but at least they’ve learned. Need some yards to kill a game? Real Deal. Need a first down? Real Deal. Need a touchdown? Real Deal.

Need a win to qualify for a bowl game? You get the point. Give the man the ball and let's ride.