New quarterbacks for Mizzou, Kansas face first major tests

To start the season, both squads walked out of their season openers with victories. Kansas defeated Long Island University 51-6, beating up on an FCS opponent in similar fashion to Missouri, which defeated Arkansas-Pine Bluff 54-14. The game was never in doubt.

Like their Tigers counterparts, who witnessed a stout performance from new quarterback Austin Simmons, Jayhawk fans got a look at a new starting quarterback, Isaiah Marshall.

In what is always a heated and intense battle, Missouri and Kansas will have to bring their best. It starts with execution at the quarterback spot.

Welcome to the spotlight, Marshall

The most prominent Kansas performance against the Sharks in Week 1 was delivered by Marshall, a redshirt sophomore who played minimally in 2025. Marshall and redshirt junior Cole Ballard battled it out for the starting role during the fall, with Marshall claiming the spot.

In his first start for the Jayhawks, Marshall recorded 246 passing yards and two touchdowns on 14-for-19 passing, along with 49 rushing yards on seven carries. At a position of doubt for Lance Leipold’s Kansas Jayhawks, Marshall certainly eased some nerves with a calm pocket presence and strong ground game.

Marshall looked experienced in the pocket and made good decisions all game. Granted, it was against an FCS opponent, but Marshall looked solid.

Playing against MU will be the longest game time he’s seen against a Power 4 adversary. For the most part, Missouri’s Simmons is in a similar position in that regard, giving the quarterback showdown a grander spotlight.

Both players played well in their opening games as starters. They’ll now face much better defensive units, including more talented defensive fronts and secondaries. The decision-making of Marshall and Simmons will be far more crucial and turnovers could easily be a difference-maker in a win or loss.

More on the KU offense

Yasin Willis, a transfer from Syracuse, ended up being the leading rusher for the Jayhawks. He finished the win over LIU with 72 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries. Micah Johnson served as the second-leading rusher, recording 52 yards and a touchdown.

The Jayhawks also have former Colorado and Kansas State running back Dylan Edwards in their arsenal. He was behind four players in rushing yards in their opening game, but he logged 34 receiving yards via four receptions, making an impact with the quarterbacks in the air. The Jayhawks will have a variety of options in their backfield against Mizzou.

Nik McMillan, who joined the Big 12 team from Buffalo, was the leading receiver in their opening win. He racked up 130 receiving yards and a touchdown on six catches. Redshirt freshman Bryson Hayes brought on two receptions for 56 yards, proving he can be a big-play option for Marshall.

Marshall will have plenty of options surrounding him, but playing Mizzou, again, will be a good test for those options. MU’s secondary had a good Week 1 outing and could push Kansas’ receiving corps to their limit.

A look into the defense

Kansas’ defense allowed 146 yards of total offense against Long Island. Only 35 of those were rushing yards, a display of the physicality of the defensive front.

Long Island didn’t have anything to cry home about on offense, but the Kansas defense still looked good. Linebacker Quincy Davis led the team with six total tackles, followed by defensive ends David Santiago, Leroy Harris III and Dakyus Brinkley with four tackles apiece.

The Jayhawks recorded three sacks in the game, recorded by linebackers Bam Crouch, Trey Lathan and Joseph Credit.

Lathan led the Jayhawks in total tackles last season with 86. He also recorded five pass deflections, an interception and 1.5 sacks in that time. Lathan was one of the most productive players on the Kansas defense last year and despite not showing that off in Week 1, expect Lathan to be a guy who’s commanding the group on Friday.

Jalen Todd and Austin Alexander will start at cornerback for Kansas. Both played key roles last season and also didn’t get to show off too much in Week 1. Todd recorded seven tackles last season against Mizzou and Alexander recorded six. Todd also recorded a pass deflection in that game.

The fact that both squads faced FCS opponents in Week 1 makes it harder to get a grasp on Mizzou’s Week 2 Border War matchup. In many ways, both teams have a clean slate entering the game.

Mizzou and Kansas kick off at 7 p.m. next Friday at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kansas.