photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Kansas running back Dylan Edwards looks for a gap in the line during the Jayhawks' game against Middle Tennessee on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, at David Booth Memorial Stadium in Lawrence.

With Yasin Willis likely out for the season after suffering a right leg injury in London, it became immediately apparent that Dylan Edwards would have to step up into the role KU’s feature back.

The Derby native handled that responsibility with aplomb on Saturday against Middle Tennessee, carrying the ball 20 times for 137 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Jayhawks to a 55-0 victory over the Blue Raiders at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.

It was perhaps the most lopsided win under head coach Lance Leipold as KU accrued a school-record 706 yards and allowed just 136 in the first shutout since Sept. 6, 2008. Former MTSU wideout Nahzae Cox was on the receiving end of the game’s lone passing touchdown from KU quarterback Isaiah Marshall.

Middle Tennessee moved the ball early with a couple of first downs to reach KU territory, but had to punt after Bam Crouch shut down a third-down screen pass.

A 34-yard run by Edwards kick-started the Jayhawks’ opening drive, but a blindside block penalty on Cox wiped out a run by Marshall that could have gotten them to the 2-yard line. Instead, they settled for a 43-yard field goal by Martin Connington.

KU’s defense managed another quick stop. Quarterback runs, designed and improvised alike, from Marshall, got the Jayhawks down the field, and a jet sweep by Keaton Kubecka picked up a key third-and-short after a measurement. Edwards eventually cashed in with a 6-yard dash to the right-side pylon for his first touchdown as a Jayhawk.

The Blue Raiders’ Santana Fleming’s 38-yard kick return and a quick defensive holding penalty on Jaden Harris moved MTSU across midfield again, but KU won the battle in the trenches on each of the next three plays to force a punt.

After a couple of stagnant drives on either side, the Jayhawks got back into scoring range when Edwards leaked out of the backfield for a 30-yard reception that more than doubled Marshall’s passing yardage on the day. A 22-yard pass to Cam Pickett soon followed, and Edwards scored again to make it 17-0.

Fleming went for 52 yards down the right sideline again, but Taylor Davis blew up a third-down run and late pressure by Leroy Harris III produced a fourth-down incompletion by Roman Gagliano.

A series of runs by Edwards and Marshall drained the second-quarter clock. Another key penalty on Jailen Butler hindered KU near the goal line, and Connington converted his second field goal to set the halftime score at 20-0.

Middle Tennessee was unsuccessful on a surprise onside kick to open the third quarter. That created a short field, and an 18-yard catch-and-run by Pickett set up another touchdown for Edwards.

Marshall’s passing touchdown came late in the third quarter on a well-placed 34-yard deep ball to Cox.

MTSU’s Antonio Martin, previously limited to seven yards on six carries, broke free for 34 more after fighting through contact near the line of scrimmage, but on his next carry he was on top of a player as he went to the ground and Harris was able to force and recover a fumble.

With Cole Ballard injured, Rice transfer quarterback Chase Jenkins entered in relief of Marshall for his first notable action as a Jayhawk. What followed was a heavy dose of running back Jalen Dupree, who walked in untouched for a 5-yard touchdown on his ninth carry of the drive.

Gagliano found Ziyon Butler on a 36-yard deep shot to open the next series, but three straight incompletions forced a punt.

Jenkins and newly added running back Khijohnn Cummings-Coleman marched the offense down the field, and Jenkins took an option run 14 yards to make it 48-0. Cummings-Coleman then added one of his own with a 22-yard scamper around right end.

The Jayhawks will travel to face No. 13 Utah next Saturday at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Kickoff is set for 9:15 p.m. Central time.

Notes and observations

KU paid Middle Tennessee $925,000 for its participation in Saturday’s game and an additional $140,000 for changing the date. The game had originally been scheduled for Sept. 19 before KU had to move it in order to participate in the Union Jack Classic. The Jayhawks originally intended to put it in Week 0 but were unable to get the necessary waivers.

After getting injured four snaps into his KU tenure, the Boston College transfer linebacker Crouch returned and started Saturday’s game.

Pickett did not start, but he also came back after a one-game absence and received an early target in the end zone.

Center Kasen Carpenter was injured in the final minute of the first quarter and walked off the field delicately. He was replaced by redshirt freshman Anderson Kopp, as Amir Herring played right guard in place of Tavake Tuikolovatu. Herring had a chance to slot in at center early in the second half as well.

How they scored

First quarter

6:03 — Martin Connington 43-yard field goal good. Ten plays, 55 yards, 4:47 TOP. KU 3, MTSU 0.

Second quarter

13:13 — Dylan Edwards 6-yard run. Connington PAT good. Thirteen plays, 75 yards, 5:48 TOP. KU 10, MTSU 0.

4:23 — Edwards 5-yard run. Connington PAT good. Five plays, 60 yards, 2:07 TOP. KU 17, MTSU 0.

0:11 — Connington 35-yard field goal good. Nine plays, 43 yards, 2:12 TOP. KU 20, MTSU 0.

Third quarter

12:20 — Edwards 12-yard run. Connington PAT good. Six plays, 48 yards, 2:39 TOP. KU 27, MTSU 0.

3:47 — Nahzae Cox 34-yard pass from Isaiah Marshall. Connington PAT good. Six plays, 91 yards, 3:10 TOP. KU 34, MTSU 0.

Fourth quarter

12:21 — Jalen Dupree 5-yard run. Connington PAT good. Ten plays, 58 yards, 5:40 TOP. KU 41, MTSU 0.

8:35 — Chase Jenkins 14-yard run. Connington PAT good. Five plays, 91 yards, 2:48 TOP. KU 48, MTSU 0.

5:22 — Khijohnn Cummings-Coleman 24-yard run. Connington PAT good. Four plays, 71 yards, 2:12 TOP. KU 55, MTSU 0.

Box score