LAWRENCE, Kan. _ Kansas' winless football team has dropped to 0-2 at home this season after playing one game with fans, one without.
The Jayhawks (0-3, 0-2 Big 12), who had zero spectators in the stands for a 38-23 loss to Coastal Carolina on Sept. 12 in accordance with COVID-19 pandemic regulations, fell, 47-7, to No. 17-ranked Oklahoma State Saturday with at least 3,000 no-shows out of the 10,000-maximum spectators who were to be allowed to attend the game at Booth Memorial Stadium.
The day started on an ominous note and did not get much better for Kansas.
KU listed three key defenders as inactive before the game: starting defensive backs Kyle Mayberry and Ricky Thomas and linebacker Gavin Potter, who had played extensively in the Jayhawks' losses to Coastal Carolina and Baylor.
No reason was given for their absences, leading some to naturally wonder about the possibility of COVID-19 positives.
Also from the bad-news category: KU freshman quarterback Jalon Daniels, who was ineffective in the first quarter, headed to the locker room early in the second because of what appeared to be a foot injury. In fact, Daniels returned to the bench area in the fourth quarter with a boot on his left foot.
And standout running back Pooka Williams, who'd gained 32 yards on 14 carries, also went to the locker room late in the third quarter and returned in the fourth dressed in street clothes.
Daniels completed 3 of 5 passes for two yards and rushed for four yards on four carries.
Oklahoma State Heisman Trophy candidate Chuba Hubbard rushed for 109 yards and scored two touchdowns in the first half. He finished with 145 yards on 20 carries.
Cowboys quarterback Shane Illingworth threw for 227 yards and two TDs in the opening half. He hit Braydon Johnson for a 66-yard score and Tylan Wallace on a 55-yarder. He finished 17 of 23 for 265 yards and three TDs, playing 2 { quarters before being replaced by Ethan Bullock. OSU receiver Wallace had nine receptions for 148 yards and two TDs.
OSU (3-0, 2-0) outgained KU 593 yards to 193.
KU has open date next week before heading to West Virginia on Oct. 17.
KU dropped its 11th straight game and 16th in 17 tries overall to the Pokes, who have won nine straight in Lawrence. KU remains without a victory over a ranked opponent since the 2010 season, when the Jayhawks downed Georgia Tech.
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