Robinson runs for 243 yards, 4 TDs as Texas routs KU 55-14

Texas running back Bijan Robinson (5) rumbles ahead for yards against the Kansas defense during the first quarter on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 at Memorial Stadium.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Bijan Robinson ran for career-highs of 243 yards and four touchdowns, helping Texas earn a bit of revenge against Kansas with a 55-14 victory Saturday that kept alive the Longhorns’ hopes of playing for the Big 12 championship.

The Longhorns (7-4, 5-3), who lost a 57-56 overtime thriller to the Jayhawks a year ago in Austin, need to beat Baylor next weekend while, coincidentally, getting some help from Kansas. The Jayhawks (6-5, 3-5) must also beat Kansas State in their rivalry game for Texas to play fourth-ranked TCU in the title game in Arlington.

Quinn Ewers added 107 yards passing and a touchdown, and Jonathon Brooks ran for 108 yards and two scores, as the Longhorns bounced back from a dismal game against the Horned Frogs in which they didn’t score an offensive touchdown.

They scored on nine straight possessions after an opening punt and finished with 427 yards rushing.

The Jayhawks’ Jalon Daniels, starting for the first time since a shoulder injury six weeks ago, threw for 230 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Devin Neal ran 13 times for 51 yards.

Robinson, who was held to 29 yards rushing by the Horned Frogs, eclipsed that total midway through the first quarter Saturday, then kept on going. He bulldozed into the end zone from 2-yards out to give the Longhorns the lead, then ripped off two long runs on their next possession to extend the advantage to 14-0.

Robinson nearly had a third first-half TD run, but it was called back by a penalty and Texas had to kick a field goal.

The Jayhawks were hoping to get a boost from the return of Daniels, who had them off to a 5-0 start before his injury on Oct. 8. But they went 3-and-out on their first two drives, failed on fourth-and-2 on the next one, then had a TD wiped out by a penalty and watched Jacob Borcila miss the ensuing field-goal try.

Ewers added a touchdown pass to Keilan Robinson later in the second quarter. And after Daniels was picked off by Jaylan Ford, the Longhorns turned again to Robinson, who appeared to have scurried 25 yards for a touchdown but was ruled out at the 1-yard line with 1 second left in the half — then leapt over the pile on the next play anyway.

Robinson had 172 yards and three touchdowns as Texas took a 31-0 lead to the locker room.

The junior tailback scored from 32 yards out on the first possession of the second half for his first career four-touchdown day, and Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian soon gave Robinson the rest of the night off.

But despite playing just 2 1/2 quarters, his big game against the Jayhawks sent him climbing through the school record book. Robinson tied Chris Gilbert for fifth in career rushing with 3,231 yards, and Robinson’s 39 career scores is tied with Jamaal Charles and Roy Williams for fourth in school history.

FOND FAREWELLS

It was senior day at Kansas, where the Jayhawks bid farewell to a senior class that included several players who endured multiple coaching changes. That included defensive tackle Sam Burt, who played two seasons for David Beaty, two more for Les Miles and the past two seasons for Lance Leipold.

UP NEXT

The Longhorns face the Bears next Saturday. The Jayhawks head down Interstate 70 to play the Wildcats.

Kansas tight end Jared Casey (47) dives for the pylon as he is hit by Texas defensive back Anthony Cook (11) during the second quarter on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 at Memorial Stadium. The would-be touchdown was called back for an ineligible receiver downfield call against Kansas.

Kansas head coach Lance Leipold and the Jayhawks wait to take the field on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 at Memorial Stadium.

Kansas wide receiver Quentin Skinner (83) lays out for a pass before losing it off the turf during the first quarter on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 at Memorial Stadium. At left is Texas defensive back Anthony Cook (11).

Texas running back Roschon Johnson (2) rumbles for yards as Kansas cornerback Ra’Mello Dotson (3) pulls him down during the first quarter on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 at Memorial Stadium.

Kansas running back Devin Neal (4) looks to make a move against Texas defensive back Jerrin Thompson (28) during the first quarter on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 at Memorial Stadium.

A Kansas student signals “horns down” toward the Texas bench during the second quarter on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 at Memorial Stadium.

Kansas cornerback Cobee Bryant (2) tries to pull down Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy (8) after a catch during the first quarter on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 at Memorial Stadium.

Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels (6) scrambles to get away from the Texas defense during the second quarter on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 at Memorial Stadium.

Kansas head coach Lance Leipold watches from the sidelines as an official reviews a targeting call against Texas during the second quarter on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 at Memorial Stadium.

Kansas head coach Lance Leipold looks for an offensive pass interference call against Texas that wasn’t there during the second quarter on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 at Memorial Stadium.

Texas running back Keilan Robinson (7) falls into the end zone for a touchdown against Kansas during the second quarter on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 at Memorial Stadium.

Texas running back Bijan Robinson (5) races up the field past the Kansas defense for a touchdown during the third quarter on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 at Memorial Stadium.

Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels (6) heaves a pass up the field against Texas during the third quarter on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 at Memorial Stadium.

Texas running back Jonathon Brooks (24) races past the Kansas defense for a touchdown during the fourth quarter on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 at Memorial Stadium.

Kansas head coach Lance Leipold watches a replay on the videoboard during a break from action in the third quarter on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 at Memorial Stadium.

Kansas running back Devin Neal (4) makes a cut against Texas defensive back Terrance Brooks (8) during the third quarter on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 at Memorial Stadium.

Kansas running back Devin Neal (4) pulls his helmet down on the sidelines during the fourth quarter on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 at Memorial Stadium.

Kansas offensive lineman Earl Bostick Jr. (68) gives a bear hug to Kansas head coach Lance Leipold as he is honored among the rest of the seniors before kickoff against Texas on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 at Memorial Stadium.

Kansas defensive lineman Sam Burt (93) stands with members of his family for a photo as he is honored with the seniors before kickoff on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 at Memorial Stadium.

Texas running back Bijan Robinson (5) looks to stiff arm Kansas safety Marvin Grant (4) during the first quarter on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 at Memorial Stadium.

Kansas tight end Mason Fairchild (89) catches a pass before Texas linebacker Jaylan Ford (41) during the second quarter on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 at Memorial Stadium.

Texas running back Bijan Robinson (5) tears through the Kansas defense during the second quarter on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 at Memorial Stadium.

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