Quarterback to Back: Jason Bean Has Been Consistent, Efficient Which is All Kansas Needs

The Cowboys have finally (hopefully) stepped off of the QB carousel, but it looks like the Jayhawks have hopped on.

The Big 12’s Preseason Player of the Year, Jalen Daniels, was “the guy” for Kansas after winning out on the Jayhawks’ own three-way QB battle last season. But thanks to a back injury, he’s set to miss his third straight game. Fortunately for the Jayhawks, one of those other three quarterbacks is still on the roster.

Sixth-year passer Jason Bean will again get the start. He’s split the last two starts with a loss to Texas before leading the Jayhawks to a 51-22 walloping of UCF last week.

Before we dig into Bean and the Jayhawks’ offense, let’s see how he and OSU starter Alan Bowman compare in the stat sheet.

Of course, Cowboy fans should remember Bean — though they’d like to forget him. He went a cool 18-for-23 for 203 yards and two touchdowns (and rushed for a third) when the Cowboys took home an L from Lawrence last year. It broke a 12-game win streak over Kansas in the series.

Before it was officially official, it was expected that Bean would again get the nod and Mike Gundy stated that the Cowboys were preparing for Bean as early as Monday.

“I don’t know that they change a lot when (Daniels is) in there,” Gundy said. “They’re going to do the same stuff, in my opinion. Now, he might bring a few things to the table differently. But we have to prepare for the guy that’s been out there the last three weeks or whatever.”

The Jayhawks’ coaching staff hasn’t leaned too heavy on Bean in these last two games. But thanks to KU’s stout run game, they haven’t had to.

Kansas is ranked second in the league (and sixth nationally), averaging 232 rushing yards per game and they lead the Big 12 with 16 rushing scores. Running backs Devin Neal and Daniel Hishaw Jr. have combined for over 1,000 yards already this season and each have found the end zone six times. Bean, and even Daniels before him, have benefited from a stout offensive line and those workhorses all season.

In the Jayhawks’ big win over UCF last weekend, Bean went just 8-for-12 for 91 yards and a single touchdown through the air. But that was enough to facilitate a 51-point game. In fact, between Bean and Daniels, facilitation has been the key. Consistent. Efficient. As a whole, the Jayhawks’ passing game completed 70% of its passes and has thrown nine touchdowns to just one interception.

The Cowboys have struggled to stop the run, force picks or pressure QBs consistently so far, ranking in the bottom third of the league in rushing defense, interceptions and sacks. All keys to slowing down the Jayhawks’ defense. To keep Bean and Co. from making it two in a row against in Stillwater, OSU will need to flip that script.