Suspensions deplete KU receiving corps at UT

Kansas wide receiver Darious Crawley (12) eyes the ball as Texas defensive back Holton Hill (5) swoops in to bat it away during the third quarter on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015 at Darrell K. Royal Stadium in Austin, Texas.

Austin, Texas ? Kansas University’s football passing game was without two of its top receiving targets Saturday against Texas.

Senior wide receiver Tre’ Parmalee and freshman receiver Steven Sims Jr. missed the trip to Austin, Texas, because of a violation of team rules and did not play against the Longhorns.

KU coach David Beaty confirmed the suspensions with a statement released an hour before kickoff.

“As we build our program, we cannot skip any steps in laying the foundation,” the statement read. “We have set a standard that we expect every player to meet and if you do not meet that standard, there will be consequences. Tre’ and Steven are good young men and we expect them to meet the standard next week and be back on the field with our team.”

Bobby Hartzog Jr. and Shakiem Barbel started in their places and finished with 19 yards on three receptions with one fumble recovery for a touchdown. Sophomore Darious Crawley led Kansas’ receivers with 63 yards on three receptions and a touchdown from reserve QB Keaton Perry in garbage time.

Asked about the absence of two of the team’s top options in the passing game, Beaty said he was eager for Parmalee and Sims to be back on the sideline.

“We absolutely missed those guys,” Beaty said following a night when KU finished 19-of-41 passing with three interceptions. “But we’re looking forward to getting them back, and I think they learned.”

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