Leshon Williams rushed for three touchdowns and Kansas used a dominant second half to defeat UCF 27-20 on Saturday night in Orlando, Fla.
The Jayhawks, who outscored the Knights 13-0 in the second half with all of their points in the third quarter, had a big fourth-down stop in the final two minutes to preserve the victory.
Jalon Daniels was 18 of 26 for 235 yards for Kansas (4-2, 2-1 Big 12).
Tayven Jackson was 14-of-23 passing for 97 yards before leaving the game with an injury in the third quarter for UCF (3-2, 0-2).
In Kansas’ two losses (at Missouri and vs. Cincinnati), the Jayhawks allowed their opponents to convert 7 of 8 on fourth down. The Knights converted their first two fourth-down attempts on Saturday before backup quarterback Cam Fancher (8 of 14, 79 yards in the game) was stopped near the goal line with 1:47 left.
Trailing by six points at halftime, Kansas trimmed the deficit to 20-17 midway through the third quarter on Laith Marjan’s 33-yard field goal. After the Jayhawks’ defense forced a second straight UCF three-and-out, Marjan tied the score with a 41-yard field goal.
On UCF’s next possession, Jackson was sacked by Jalen Dye, causing a fumble. The ball was picked up by KU’s Trey Lathan at the 7-yard line and returned to the 2-yard line. On the next play, Williams scored his third touchdown to give Kansas the lead.
Kansas outgained UCF 131 yards to minus-1 in the third quarter.
After the teams traded punts, UCF went on a 14-play, 53-yard drive but failed on three plays inside the 2-yard line, including fourth down. The Knights’ final drive ended deep in Kansas territory.
UCF grabbed an early lead on a 29-yard touchdown run up the middle by Myles Montgomery on the Knights’ opening drive.
Montgomery then put the Knights up 14-0 with a 3-yard touchdown run on the first play of the second quarter. After forcing a turnover on downs, the Knights went 60 yards on eight plays.
Williams got Kansas on the board with a 2-yard touchdown run on Kansas’ next possession.
After Noe Ruelas’ 38-yard field goal put UCF up 17-7, Williams’ second short run pulled the Jayhawks to within 17-14. Ruelas hit another 38-yard field goal just before halftime.
