Devin Neal (4 TDs), Kansas set mark with upset of No. 16 Colorado

Field Level Media|published: Sat 23rd November, 19:27 2024

Nov 23, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas running back Devin Neal (4) splits the defense for additional yardage during the 1st quarter between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Colorado Buffaloes at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nick Tre. Smith-Imagn Images

Devin Neal scored four touchdowns as Kansas upset No. 16 Colorado 37-21 Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.

Kansas (5-6, 4-4 Big 12) became the first team in college football history with a losing record to win three straight games against ranked opponents. The Jayhawks' bowl chances seemed all but eliminated after they lost at then-No. 16 Kansas State on Oct. 26 and fell to 2-6. But if they win at Baylor next Saturday, they'll be bowl-eligible.

Neal had three rushing touchdowns while gaining 207 yards. He also caught four passes for 80 yards and a score. Jalon Daniels was 14-of-21 passing for 189 yards and a TD and rushed for 72 yards on six carries.

Shedeur Sanders was 23-of-29 passing for 266 yards and three touchdowns for the Buffaloes (8-3, 6-2), who rushed for only 42 yards. Heisman Trophy favorite Travis Hunter had eight catches for 125 yards and two touchdowns.

Trailing by nine at the half, Colorado scored on its first second-half possession when Sanders found Hunter for a 26-yard touchdown. But Neal's third TD extended Kansas' lead to 30-21 midway through the third. Neal then punched it in from the 2-yard line for a 37-21 Jayhawks advantage with less than 12 minutes to play.

Colorado got deep in Kansas territory with 6:22 left but turned it over on downs.

Kansas received the opening kickoff and went 73 yards on six plays to take a 7-0 lead. Daniels hit Neal on a short screen to the left side and Neal went 51 almost untouched for the score.

After forcing a Colorado three-and-out, Kansas drove deep into Buffaloes territory. The drive stalled and the Jayhawks settled for a 24-yard Tabor Allen field goal.

The Jayhawks then stopped Colorado on a fourth-and-2 just past midfield. On the ensuing drive, Kansas went 61 yards in eight plays, capped by Neal's 9-yard touchdown run.

The Buffaloes finally got on the board as Sanders found Hunter on a wide-receiver screen and Hunter went 51 yards for the score with 7:18 left before intermission.

Neal's 47-yard run set up the Jayhawks at Colorado's 8-yard line, but the Jayhawks had to settle for another Allen field goal.

Sanders found Drelon Miller on a 19-yard touchdown and Allen hit a 25-yard field goal inside the final two minutes of the second quarter.

Kansas led 23-14 at the break.

--Field Level Media