The Charlie Weis era in Kansas opened on a positive note after the Jayhawks dispatched South Dakota State 31-17 on Saturday night at Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, KS.
South Dakota jumped to an early 7-0 lead after Zach Kenner raced for a 99-yard touchdown run just six minutes into the game, with Kansas going on to score 24 unanswered points to take a commanding lead into the fourth quarter. Ten points by the Jackrabbits would threaten Kansas with the notion of an upset before Taylor Cox put the game away with a 3-yard run with 5:36 remaining.
The Jayhawks would struggle containing the South Dakota offense, allowing 411 total yards in the game including 204 yards on the ground.
Kansas QB Dane Crist was up and down in the game, going 17-of-36 for 169 yards, with one touchdown and one intereception. Tony Peirson would lead the Jayhawks rushing attack, putting up 124 yards on 20 carries with two touchdowns.
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