Kansas looking for 3-0 start in trip to Houston

The Kansas Jayhawks are off to their best start since 2011 and head to Houston Saturday looking for a third straight victory to begin the 2022 season. Here’s more to know about the contest.

Kansas (2-0) at Houston (1-1), 4 p.m. ET (ESPNU)

Line: Houston by 10 ½, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

Series record: Kansas 3-0.

READ MORE: Kansas opens Big 12 play with huge win over West Virginia in OT thriller

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

Kansas, 2-0 for the first time since 2011 and are fourth in the nation in scoring 52.5 points a game, will try and continue its early success in a visit to Houston. The Cougars look to rebound after dropping a 33-30 two overtime thriller at Texas Tech last week.

KEY MATCHUP

RB Devin Neal vs. Houston’s run defense. Neal is tied for first in the nation with five touchdowns this season. Neal has four rushing touchdowns and a TD reception to become the first Jayhawk since 2009 to have five touchdowns in the first two games. The Cougars are tied for 47th in the nation by allowing 111 yards rushing a game.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Kansas: Cornerback Cobee Bryant sealed the team’s 55-42 win over West Virginia last week with an interception return for a touchdown. It was his second touchdown of the year after he returned a blocked field goal for a score in the opener against Tennessee Tech.

Houston: Defensive lineman Derek Parish set an American Athletic Conference record against the Red Raiders with 6 ½ tackles for losses and 4 ½ sacks. The 4 ½ sacks rank third in school history and are the most by a Cougar since 1990.

FACTS & FIGURES

These teams last met in the Fort Worth Bowl in 2005 when the Jayhawks won 42-13. Kansas leads the nation in third-down conversions (17 of 23 chances).

Quarterback Jalon Daniels threw for 219 yards and three touchdowns last week. He has at least one TD pass in six straight games. The Jayhawks have 10 rushing touchdowns and average more than 7.5 yards a carry. Linebacker Rich Miller had the second double-digit tackle game of his career with 12 last week.

The Cougars have played five overtime periods in their first two games. Houston has won a school-record seven straight home openers dating to 2015. The Cougars have scored 10 or more points in 100 straight games and at least 21 points in 42 consecutive regular-season games. Quarterback Clayton Tune has thrown for 472 yards with four touchdowns and one interception this season. Wide receiver Nathaniel Dell leads the team with 12 receptions for 170 yards and two touchdowns.