Kansas routs Central Michigan, snaps 46-game road skid

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Jayhawks' Williams Jr. runs 41-yards for 2nd TD

Pooka Williams Jr. cuts up the field and rides the sideline to pick up his second touchdown of the game.

Sep 9, 2018, 12:53 am

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. -- Freshman Pooka Williams rushed for 125 yards and two touchdowns as Kansas snapped the second-longest road losing streak in college football history at 46 games, winning 31-7 at Central Michigan on Saturday.

Central Michigan quarterback Tony Poljan was intercepted four times by Kansas (1-1), which won on the road for the first time since Sept. 12, 2009. The Kansas streak was only topped by Idaho State, which lost 48 straight through 2014.

"For our program, for our fans, for our stakeholders, that was really important," Kansas coach David Beaty said. "Our fans deserve it, and they deserve better."

Williams was held out of the opener last week for the Jayhawks, a 26-23 overtime loss to Football Championship Subdivision Nicholls. Beaty declined to say why and said he found out late Friday night that Williams would be available on Saturday.

Central Michigan had one first down in the first half, compiling 60 yards on 20 snaps. The Chippewas (0-2) did not cross midfield until there was 7:54 remaining in the third quarter and turned the ball over six times.

"I felt like we left a lot out on the field," Central Michigan coach John Bonamego said. "I still maintain that all of the mistakes we are making right now self-inflicted and if we can continue to improve and correct these mistakes that we will be a very good football team."

Kansas quarterback Peyton Bender was 17-of-26 passing for 130 yards, connecting with wide receiver Kerr Johnson Jr. for a 31-yard touchdown to open the scoring.

After two Williams scores, Central Michigan cut the lead to 21-7 on a 31-yard reception by Jamil Sabbagh from Poljan in the third quarter.

But on the first play of the fourth quarter, Shakial Taylor of Kansas went up for an interception and returned it 55 yards for a touchdown and a 28-7 lead.

"We're looking forward to starting a new beginning and starting a little win streak here," Beaty said. "We think we've got a pretty good football team if we continue working and continue limiting the mistakes that we make."

THE TAKEAWAY

Kansas: With the historic losing streak behind the Jayhawks in their best chance to snap it this season, Beaty's team can go one week without its coach on the hot seat. Athletic director Jeff Long released a statement after last week's loss to Nicholls, saying the evaluation of the program was "ongoing."

Central Michigan: The Chippewas are 0-2 against Power 5 basketball powerhouse schools after losing 35-20 last week at Kentucky. At least the offense moved the chains a few times late for Central Michigan, which was scoreless in the second half last week and in the first half on Saturday.

UP NEXT

Kansas: Hosts Rutgers on Sept. 15 looking for Beaty's second Power 5 win in his fourth season with the Jayhawks.

Central Michigan: Plays at Northern Illinois on Sept. 15 in the Mid-American Conference opener.