KU vs. NMSU: Postgame News and Notes

News and notes on KU’s 42-16 victory over New Mexico State Saturday night at Memorial Stadium while looking forward to the Jayhawks’ Big 12 opener on Oct. 2 at Baylor.

*Sophomore receiver D.J. Beshears’ 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the second quarter tied for the eight-longest kickoff return in school history. He entered the week ranked No. 2 in the Big 12 and No. 18 nationally with a 30.0 yard kickoff return yard average.

Beshears scored KU’s first three touchdowns. In addition to his TD kickoff return, he rushed for a 10-yard touchdown in the first quarter (his first career TD) and a seven-yard score in the second quarter. This marked the first time a Jayhawk recorded multiple rushing touchdowns in a half since Toben Opurum had two touchdowns on the ground against Duke last year.

Beshears finished the game with 38 rushing yards on eight carries, both career highs.

*True freshman James Sims rushed for 115 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries. This marked his second game this season of 100-plus rushing yards. He’s the first KU frosh to record multiple 100-yard games since Clark Green in 2002.

*KU’s 237 rushing yards were the most since the Jayhawks ran for 255 yards against UTEP last season...Kansas' 501 yards of total offense were also a season high and the most since the ‘Hawks gained 574 yards in the season finale last season against Missouri...And KU’s four rushing TDs were the most since the Jayhawks had five touchdowns on the ground against Northern Colorado last year.

*Senior running back Angus Quigley caught a 43-yard pass on a screen play in the first quarter, the longest pass play of the season and longest of Quigley’s career.

*Junior wide receiver Daymond Patterson had a 23-yard punt return in the second quarter, the longest by a Jayhawk this season.

*Redshirt freshman quarterback Jordan Webb completed his first six passes for 104 yards. He finished the night passing for a season and career-high 249 yards (17-27) while also rushing for a season/career-best 33 yards on five carries. His run of 24 yards was his longest of the year.

*Senior punter Alonzo Rojas booted a 50-yard punt in the second quarter, marking the fourth straight game that Rojas has had a punt of 50-plus yards. Rojas entered the week ranked No. 4 in the Big 12 with four punts greater than 50 yards.

*Wide receivers Chris Omegie and Christian Mathews each had their first career reception. The 15-yard pass completion to Omegie was the first by sophomore Kale Pick since the North Dakota State game.

*Senior cornerback Chris Harris had a season-high eight tackles, his most since he had 10 stops at Texas last season. Harris is fifth on the team with 18 tackles.

*KU is now 22-4 in its last 26 nonconference games, and 20-4 in its last 24 home nonconference games.

*Attendance was 46,719.