LAWRENCE, Kan. (Interstat) — Kansas shut out Middle Tennessee 55-0 in an NCAA Football Bowl Division game Saturday at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. The Jayhawks improved to 2-2, while the Blue Raiders fell to 2-3. Kansas controlled the contest from the opening quarter and never let Middle Tennessee establish offensive rhythm. The Jayhawks scored in every quarter, combined a productive passing attack with a punishing ground game and finished with a dominant defensive effort. Kansas quarterback Isaiah Marshall led the way, and the Jayhawks repeatedly found space against a Middle Tennessee defense that spent much of the afternoon on the field. The Blue Raiders were unable to answer at any point, and Kansas pulled away after halftime. The Jayhawks’ defense set the tone early and never allowed the Blue Raiders to score.

Marshall, a 6-foot, 215-pound quarterback from Southfield, Mich., completed 13 of 22 passes for 161 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed 11 times for 110 yards and a score. His ability to extend drives with his legs complemented Kansas’ passing game and kept the Middle Tennessee defense off balance. Marshall’s 110 rushing yards led Kansas, and his touchdown pass to Cox was one of the game’s biggest offensive plays. Chase Jenkins, a 6-foot, 187-pound quarterback, completed all three of his passes for 65 yards and rushed three times for 53 yards and a touchdown. Cam Pickett caught six passes for 49 yards. Bryson Hayes added three receptions for 50 yards. Nahzae Cox caught two passes for 42 yards and a touchdown. Nik McMillan had two receptions for 30 yards. Keaton Kubecka contributed two rushes for 16 yards, one reception for 6 yards and two punt returns for 48 yards. Kansas also got production from multiple backs and controlled the line of scrimmage as the game wore on.

Kansas opened scoring with Martin Connington’s 43-yard field goal in the first quarter. The Jayhawks added to the lead in the second quarter when Dylan Edwards rushed right for a 6-yard touchdown. Edwards scored again on a 5-yard run to the left, and Connington closed the first half with a 35-yard field goal. In the third quarter, Edwards broke through the middle for a 12-yard touchdown. Later in the third, Marshall connected with Cox on a deep left pass that went 34 yards for a touchdown. Kansas continued to pour it on in the fourth quarter. Jalen Dupree rushed right for a 5-yard score, Jenkins ran right for a 14-yard touchdown and Khijohnn Cummings-Coleman broke free for a 24-yard touchdown run. Connington converted all seven extra-point attempts after Kansas touchdowns, helping the Jayhawks finish with 55 points. Connington’s two field goals and seven extra points accounted for 13 points.

Middle Tennessee never found the end zone. Roman Gagliano, a 6-foot-3, 224-pound quarterback, completed 9 of 26 passes for 81 yards. Antonio Martin led the Blue Raiders on the ground with eight carries for 40 yards. Terrence Brown had four carries for 16 yards and four receptions for 7 yards. Brooklen Davis carried twice for 4 yards. Ziyon Butler caught two passes for 44 yards, and Cam’ron Lacy had two receptions for 25 yards. Neo Clifton added one reception for 5 yards. Punter Ashton Logan was busy, punting nine times for 466 yards. Santana Fleming returned two kickoffs for 90 yards. Austin Clemons had one kickoff return for no yards. The Blue Raiders moved the ball occasionally but could not sustain drives or finish them with points.

Defensively for Middle Tennessee, Jackson Lowe and Ashton Taylor each recorded nine tackles. Jaiyden Thompson and Jayson Lowe added eight tackles apiece. Bryce Williams and Korey Smith each finished with seven tackles. Zeion Simpson-Smith had five tackles. Kalen Woods recorded four tackles. Ethan Sherman and James Johnson each had three tackles. KJ Miniefield and Justin Bodford each finished with two tackles. Additional tackles came from Emmanuel Gyamfi, Andrew Cross-Adams, Darnell Malpress, Shane Rochelle, Henry Hamlin, Sawyer Lovvorn, Austin Clemons, Aidan Butts, Felix Hixon, BJ Ausmer, Jordan Chestnut, La’Garrius Sims and Kaven Call. The Blue Raiders’ defense could not slow Kansas consistently, especially after halftime.

Kansas defensive leaders included Dakyus Brinkley with two tackles and one sack. David Santiago recorded two tackles and one quarterback hurry. Trey Lathan had three tackles and one quarterback hurry. Leroy Harris III finished with three tackles and one quarterback hurry. Corey Gordon added three tackles. Taylor Davis and Bam Crouch each had two tackles. The Jayhawks held Middle Tennessee to no points and limited the Blue Raiders’ passing attack throughout. Kansas’ special teams also contributed, with Kubecka’s punt returns setting up good field position and Connington handling the kicking duties with two field goals and seven extra points. The Jayhawks also forced Middle Tennessee to punt nine times and kept the Blue Raiders off the scoreboard.

Middle Tennessee entered the matchup after a loss at Jacksonville State, a home win over Nevada, a road loss at Marshall and a home win over Murray State. Kansas entered after losses to Arizona State and Missouri and a home win over Long Island. The Blue Raiders next host Delaware before visiting Florida International, then hosting Kennesaw State and Western Kentucky, followed by trips to Liberty and Sam Houston and a home game against New Mexico State. Kansas next visits Utah and Kansas State before hosting Baylor. The Jayhawks then visit Texas Christian, host UCF, visit West Virginia, host BYU and visit Oklahoma State.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Kansas 41, Middle Tennessee 32. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Kansas with a 97.9 percent probability to win. Middle Tennessee had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of +20.5. The total score of 55 went under the over-under line of 51.5.