Duke Football Falls To 3-1 At Kansas

Tough loss but reasons for hope too.

When Duke and Kansas scheduled each other, it probably seemed, for both teams, like a winnable game.

And it was.

But the idea in the beginning was to schedule a weak opponent for a winnable game and neither team looks as weak as people expected.

Kansas QB Jalon Daniels threw for four touchdowns in the 35-27 and deserved the win, but Duke fought back. The Jayhawks were up 35-20 with 4:42. Duke scored again with 2:40 left in the game and had the ball back with 2:16. The Blue Devils put together a solid drive but it ended when KU stopped Duke on fourth-and-seven with 1:19 left.

Duke was just 5-15 on third down conversions, but there were some bright notes: Kansas has been averaging 53 ppg and the Blue Devils held them to 18 points under that.

And second, Duke fought. They didn’t accept losing. This team fought back. We’d prefer the win obviously but character matters too and Duke showed a lot.

• 5 observations and more from Duke football’s first half against Kansas
• DUST IN THE WIND: Duke football falls to Kansas on the road for first loss as comeback attempt falls short
• Duke football comeback attempt at Kansas falls short. Blue Devils 3-1 after 35-27 loss
• Big changes happening at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium even as full-scale renovation remains in the distance
• With words and wardrobe, Kansas football coach Lance Leipold continues to emphasize team above everything in wake of Jayhawks 3-0 start
• Still Unbeaten: Kansas football tops Duke 35-27 to move to 4-0 on the season