KU’s comeback falls just short as the Jayhawks lost to Arkansas 55-53 in 3OT in the Liberty Bowl. Kansas scored 15 points in the final 1:10 of the game to send the game to extra frames.

The Razorbacks outscored the Jayhawks 24-7 in the first quarter and the lead would grow to as large as 25 points mid-way through the third quarter.

A comeback seemed impossible after the Jayhawks turned it over on downs with just 3:52 remaining in the game. Arkansas turned the ball over with 2:43 left as cornerback Cobee Bryant returned a fumble recovery 37 yards to the Arkansas 48 yard-line.

Quarterback Jalon Daniels connected with Douglas Emilien in the endzone to make it a one score game. After recovering the onside kick, they were in the endzone again with Luke Grimm making the touchdown catch from 21 yards out. Daniels would hook up with Lawrence Arnold for the two-point conversion to tie the game 38-38.

KU got the ball first in overtime and connected with Jared Casey for the score. Arkansas needed just two plays to even it up 45-45.

Both teams traded touchdowns in double overtime as well with Razorback quarterback KJ Jefferson continuing his dominance with his legs scoring a 20-yard rushing touchdown. They would go for two and convert. KU responded with a touchdown, but they failed the initial two-point conversion. However, a targeting penalty gave them a second chance and they converted to extend to a third overtime.

Jefferson would find Rashod Dubinion in the endzone to convert the two-point conversion for the Razorbacks. KU needed to convert to extend, but the Jayhawks took the ball out of Daniels’ hands and instead had backup quarterback Jason Bean try win the game, which didn’t work.

The final play call was a bit of a head-scratcher. Daniels had a career-high in passing yards and was responsible for six touchdowns, but they didn’t have him making that final play. Instead, they gave it to a guy who didn’t have any rhythm or flow try to make something happen. Bean also missed a wide-open Mason Fairchild in the endzone.

Daniels went 37-for-55 with 544 yards, five passing touchdowns, two interceptions and a rushing touchdown.

Minnesota running back transfer Ky Thomas had been virtually absent this season but managed to score two touchdowns with one rushing and another receiving.

Grimm had a career-high 167 receiving yards and a touchdown with ten receptions. Arnold also had 119 receiving yards on eight receptions.

KU’s pitiful rushing defense allowed 394 yards to Arkansas’s prolific ground attack. Jefferson had 130 rushing yards, 14 carries and two rushing touchdowns. On top of that, he also went 19-for-29 passing with 287 yards, two passing touchdowns and an interception.

Dubinion had 20 carries with 112 rushing yards and a pair of rushing scores. AJ Green carried the ball 13 times and was just one yard shy of the century mark with a rushing touchdown.

The Jayhawks will hope to get their first above .500 season since 2008 and their first bowl victory since 2008 next season after finishing the 2022 season with a record of 6-7 and losing seven of their last eight games.

In the grand scheme of things, this was a successful season for head coach Lance Leipold’s second season at the helm. Although it would have been nice to finish the season with a bowl win, they still ended up with the most wins in a season since 2008, their first bowl appearance since 2008, their best start to a season since 2009, their first ever appearance on College Gameday and they stole the hearts of everyone around the country.