Kansas routs Long Island University 51-6

Long Island University0-26
Kansas1-051Final
Fri, Sep 4 · Memorial Stadium, Lawrence, Kan. · Crowd 30,904ESPNU

Kansas routed Long Island University 51-6.

We had Kansas favored. It won.

Next: Long Island University lost to UAlbany 35-13, Sat Sep 12

Next: Kansas lost to Missouri 38-21, Fri Sep 11

Top comment in the game thread

Seems like when Marshall can use his whole arm his throws are pretty good. Needs to work on the soft/touch type throws.

Q2 3:50 · r/CFB game thread · Fri, Sep 4

How it swung

Before kickoff, our ratings gave Kansas an 87% chance, and the closing betting line (Kansas was a 44.5-point favorite) put it above 99%.

Kansas led by 6 after the first quarter and by 30 at the half.

Q1Q2Q3Q40+48+45
FinalKansas 51-6 Long Island UniversityKansas wonMove across the chart, or tap a numbered swing, to see any play.
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50%75%90%Q1Q2Q3Q4KansasWon51-6ScoresChatter1 comments a minute4 comments a minute1 comments a minute3 comments a minute2 comments a minute0 comments a minute1 comments a minute2 comments a minute2 comments a minute4 comments a minute4 comments a minute0 comments a minute1 comments a minute0 comments a minute2 comments a minute0 comments a minute0 comments a minute3 comments a minute1 comments a minute2 comments a minute3 comments a minute2 comments a minute3 comments a minute5 comments a minute2 comments a minute3 comments a minute5 comments a minute1 comments a minute3 comments a minute3 comments a minute1 comments a minute0 comments a minute1 comments a minute1 comments a minute2 comments a minute0 comments a minute2 comments a minute1 comments a minute2 comments a minute1 comments a minute1 comments a minute2 comments a minute0 comments a minute2 comments a minute1 comments a minute1 comments a minute1 comments a minute0 comments a minute1 comments a minute1 comments a minute0 comments a minute2 comments a minute1 comments a minute0 comments a minute0 comments a minute1 comments a minute0 comments a minute0 comments a minute0 comments a minute0 comments a minute
50%10%25%Q1Q2Q3Q4KansasLowest 0%Lost6-51ScoresChatter1 comments a minute4 comments a minute1 comments a minute3 comments a minute2 comments a minute0 comments a minute1 comments a minute2 comments a minute2 comments a minute4 comments a minute4 comments a minute0 comments a minute1 comments a minute0 comments a minute2 comments a minute0 comments a minute0 comments a minute3 comments a minute1 comments a minute2 comments a minute3 comments a minute2 comments a minute3 comments a minute5 comments a minute2 comments a minute3 comments a minute5 comments a minute1 comments a minute3 comments a minute3 comments a minute1 comments a minute0 comments a minute1 comments a minute1 comments a minute2 comments a minute0 comments a minute2 comments a minute1 comments a minute2 comments a minute1 comments a minute1 comments a minute2 comments a minute0 comments a minute2 comments a minute1 comments a minute1 comments a minute1 comments a minute0 comments a minute1 comments a minute1 comments a minute0 comments a minute2 comments a minute1 comments a minute0 comments a minute0 comments a minute1 comments a minute0 comments a minute0 comments a minute0 comments a minute0 comments a minute
50%10%25%Q1Q2Q3Q4KansasLowest 0%Lost6-51ScoresChatter1 comments a minute4 comments a minute1 comments a minute3 comments a minute2 comments a minute0 comments a minute1 comments a minute2 comments a minute2 comments a minute4 comments a minute4 comments a minute0 comments a minute1 comments a minute0 comments a minute2 comments a minute0 comments a minute0 comments a minute3 comments a minute1 comments a minute2 comments a minute3 comments a minute2 comments a minute3 comments a minute5 comments a minute2 comments a minute3 comments a minute5 comments a minute1 comments a minute3 comments a minute3 comments a minute1 comments a minute0 comments a minute1 comments a minute1 comments a minute2 comments a minute0 comments a minute2 comments a minute1 comments a minute2 comments a minute1 comments a minute1 comments a minute2 comments a minute0 comments a minute2 comments a minute1 comments a minute1 comments a minute1 comments a minute0 comments a minute1 comments a minute1 comments a minute0 comments a minute2 comments a minute1 comments a minute0 comments a minute0 comments a minute1 comments a minute0 comments a minute0 comments a minute0 comments a minute0 comments a minute

No single play moved the chance by 20 points.

No single play moved the chance by 20 points.

What fans said, play by play

The line in bold above each quote is written by our model from the thread’s comments and the play-by-play.

  1. Q1 5:59Kansas fans mock the 2-point attempt after Willis scores against LIUI'm liking Willis. He's not Hishaw, but dammit he's trying.r/CFB game thread
  2. Q2 12:23Fans debate if McMillan established possession on Marshall's passSo maybe I'm confusing college and NFL rules, but this is the second time that LIU has called a time out hoping the refs review it instead of just throwing the challenge flag?r/CFB game thread
  3. Q2 10:16Fans criticize Marshall's reads and mock LIU's helmet as Kansas drivesCommentator is right. Marshall has had some space to run but his reads haven't been great.r/CFB game thread
  4. Q2 6:50Marshall throws deep to McMillan as Kansas fans react to the play and stadium bandDamn ok Marshall, got a bit of an arm on you toor/CFB game threadNik McMillan looks like he has negative percent body fatr/CFB game thread
  5. Q2 3:50Marshall connects with Cox for a 47-yard gain before Dupree scoresQuoted at the top of the page.
  6. Q2 1:22Kansas fans celebrate McMillan's 18-yard catch for a first downyee more points for birbsr/CFB game thread
Kansas’s chance to win after every play.
How to read this chartStarts from the pregame line (Kansas -44.5), at 100% for Kansas (the play-by-play feed's kickoff number, moved to match the line; our model's and the betting line's own numbers are in “The betting line, and the fans”). Dots are the biggest swings; ticks under the chart are scores. The gray band is r/CFB game-thread activity, its loudest stretches in gold. A gold diamond marks a play fans were reacting to.

Watch the plays

The bar and the arrow show Kansas’s chance to win after each play; the logo is the team the play helped.

  1. Q1, 5:59Willis 5-yd TD runKansas goes ahead 6-0Q1, 5:59 · Kansas 6, Long Island University 06-0score after the play6-0score after the playWatch from this playESPN College Football
  2. Q2, 6:10Willis 10-yd TD runKansas leads 16-0Q2, 6:10 · Kansas 16, Long Island University 016-0score after the play16-0score after the playWatch from this playESPN College Football
  3. Q2, 2:26Stanzani run for a 2-yd lossfumblesQ2, 2:26 · Kansas 23, Long Island University 023-0score after the play23-0score after the playWatch from this playESPN College Football
  4. Q2, 0:57Marshall 19-yd TD pass to McMillanKansas leads 30-0Q2, 0:57 · Kansas 30, Long Island University 030-0score after the play30-0score after the playWatch from this playESPN College Football
  5. Q3, 8:13Marshall 6-yd TD pass to NagyKansas leads 37-0Q3, 8:13 · Kansas 37, Long Island University 037-0score after the play37-0score after the playWatch from this playESPN College Football
  6. Q3, 4:17Slade run for a 2-yd lossfumblesQ3, 4:17 · Kansas 37, Long Island University 037-0score after the play37-0score after the playWatch from this playESPN College Football
  7. Q4, 14:19Johnson 8-yd TD runKansas leads 44-0Q4, 14:19 · Kansas 44, Long Island University 044-0score after the play44-0score after the playWatch from this playESPN College Football
  8. Q4, 7:22Collier 3-yd TD runKansas leads 51-3Q4, 7:22 · Kansas 51, Long Island University 351-3score after the play51-3score after the playWatch from this playESPN College Football

Every drive

Kansas scored on 8 of its 10 drives; Long Island University on 2 of its 11.

Kansas’s drives are teal, Long Island University’s amber. A line runs from where a drive started to where it ended; a filled dot means it scored.

own goalgoal lineQ1Long Island University: Punt, from 75 yards out to 74PuntKansas: Turned over on downs, from 54 yards out to 36DownsLong Island University: Punt, from 63 yards out to 65PuntKansas: Touchdown, from 70 yards out to 0TouchdownLong Island University: Punt, from 75 yards out to 43PuntKansas: Field goal, from 90 yards out to 14Field goalQ2Long Island University: Punt, from 75 yards out to 80PuntKansas: Touchdown, from 68 yards out to 0TouchdownLong Island University: Punt, from 75 yards out to 67PuntKansas: Touchdown, from 57 yards out to 0TouchdownLong Island University: Punt, from 75 yards out to 62PuntKansas: Touchdown, from 64 yards out to 0TouchdownLong Island University: End of half, from 75 yards out to 89End of halfQ3Kansas: Touchdown, from 72 yards out to 0TouchdownLong Island University: Fumble, from 75 yards out to 26FumbleKansas: Touchdown, from 67 yards out to 0TouchdownQ4Long Island University: Field goal, from 75 yards out to 22Field goalKansas: Touchdown, from 74 yards out to 0TouchdownLong Island University: Punt, from 75 yards out to 72PuntLong Island University: Field goal, from 34 yards out to 21Field goalKansas: End of game, from 75 yards out to 58End of game
“Nik McMillan looks like he has negative percent body fat”
A Kansas fan

When fans got loud

Busy

The loudest stretch came in the second quarter.

Jump to the loudest stretch

The jump was busy; the crowd was quiet.

FirstSecondThirdFourthKansas fansLong Island University fansusual

Never in doubt.

Box score

Kansas 51, Long Island University 6

Kansas covered −44.5 by 0.5. The total, 57, stayed under 57.5.

Long Island UniversityKansasTotal yardsLong Island University 146Kansas 613146613Passing yardsLong Island University 111Kansas 336111336Rushing yardsLong Island University 35Kansas 27735277First downsLong Island University 11Kansas 291129TurnoversLong Island University 1Kansas 111Time of possessionLong Island University 26:54Kansas 33:0626:5433:06
Team totalsLong Island UniversityKansas
Total yards146613
Passing10 of 20, 111 yds18 of 25, 336 yds
Rushing33 for 35 yds51 for 277 yds
First downs1129
Third down2 of 138 of 13
Fourth down1 of 12 of 3
Turnovers11
Penalties3 for 40 yds6 for 60 yds
Time of possession26:5433:06

Long Island University leaders

  • Passing Luca Stanzani 10 of 19, 111 yds
  • Rushing Luca Stanzani 12 for 20 yds; Nathan Gray 7 for 8 yds
  • Receiving Josiah Brown 3 for 47 yds; Jayden Simpson 2 for 21 yds

Kansas leaders

  • Passing Isaiah Marshall 14 of 19, 246 yds, 2 TD
  • Rushing Yasin Willis 11 for 72 yds, 2 TD; Micah Johnson 11 for 52 yds, 1 TD
  • Receiving Nik McMillan 6 for 130 yds, 1 TD; Bryson Hayes 2 for 56 yds

No rain through the game

94° at kickoff · no rain recorded

September game-day temperatures at Memorial Stadium

Win chance with rain, wind and thunder from the nearest airport, by game timeQ1Q2Q3Q4Kansas favoredLong Island University favored100%Win chanceKansasRaininches per 10 min0.1 inNo rain recordedWindmph, average and gusts20 mph40 mphHourly wind only at this airportTemperature and feels likedegrees F70°105°feels like 76°air 76°
Win chance with rain, wind and thunder from the nearest airport, by game timeQ1Q2Q3Q4Kansas favoredLong Island University favoredRain · inches per 10 min0.1 inNo rain recordedWind · miles per hour2040Hourly wind only at this airportTemperature and feels like · degrees F70°105°feels like 76°air 76°

Drag along the chart, or step through the game.

First quarter, 14:58 left7:03 p.m.
Long Island University 0, Kansas 0 · Kansas 100% to win
no rain · 92°, feels like 97°
Stanzani incomplete to Spencer
Where this weather comes fromMeasured at Lawrence airport, 3.6 miles away. Rain is NOAA's radar-and-gauge estimate at the stadium and wind is an airport reading; neither is measured on the field. Game times come from the play-by-play, good to a minute or two. Source: National Weather Service, through the Iowa Environmental Mesonet; rain radar from NOAA MRMS, through Iowa State University. Field direction from OpenStreetMap contributors.

Before kickoff

Recent games, the series and the betting line below are as they stood going in; the season profile is the season so far.

Recent games

Last three games · 2025 season

Long Island University · 6-6

Rated 178th in our preseason ratings, 178th now.

Three straight wins, including a 18-point win over Duquesne as a 7-point underdog.

W 24-17 vs Wagner #236 of 667

won by 7 as a 10-point favorite

W 10-3 @ Saint Francis #254 of 667

won by 7 as a 14-point favorite

W 29-11 vs Duquesne #178 of 667

won by 18 as a 7-point underdog

L 7-10 @ Central Connecticut #191 of 667

lost by 3 as a 5.5-point underdog

W 38-16 vs New Haven #261 of 667

won by 22 as a 10-point favorite

W 17-7 vs Robert Morris #252 of 667

won by 10 as a 9.5-point favorite

L 13-22 @ Mercyhurst #240 of 667

lost by 9 as a 3.5-point underdog

L 3-10 @ Stonehill #246 of 667

lost by 7 as a 6-point favorite

L 7-28 @ Rhode Island #132 of 667

lost by 21 as a 16.5-point underdog

L 21-24 vs Sacred Heart #234 of 667

lost by 3 as a 13.5-point favorite

W 28-23 @ Eastern Michigan #154 of 667

won by 5 as a 21.5-point underdog

L 0-55 @ FloridaTop 25 #12 of 667

lost by 55 as a 46.5-point underdog

Long Island University lost 0-55 at Florida. Never had a real chance.

Last three games · 2025 season

Kansas · 5-7

Rated 87th in our preseason ratings.

L 21-31 vs UtahTop 25 #14 of 667

lost by 10 as a 10.5-point underdog

Kansas lost 21-31 vs Utah. Chance to win started at 30%, low under 1%, high 70%.

L 14-38 @ Iowa StateTop 25 #42 of 667

lost by 24 as a 3.5-point underdog

Kansas lost 14-38 at Iowa State. Chance to win started at 30%, low under 1%, high 30%.

L 20-24 @ ArizonaTop 25 #57 of 667

lost by 4 as a 6.5-point underdog

Kansas lost 20-24 at Arizona. Chance to win started at 27%, low under 1%, high 73%.

W 38-21 vs Oklahoma State #168 of 667

won by 17 as a 24.5-point favorite

Kansas won 38-21 vs Oklahoma State. Chance to win started at 96%, low 81%, high better than 99%.

L 17-42 vs Kansas StateTop 25 #32 of 667

lost by 25 as a 3.5-point favorite

Kansas lost 17-42 vs Kansas State. Chance to win started at 74%, low under 1%, high 83%.

L 17-42 @ Texas TechTop 25 #12 of 667

lost by 25 as a 13.5-point underdog

Kansas lost 17-42 at Texas Tech. Chance to win started at 14%, low under 1%, high 18%.

W 27-20 @ UCF #58 of 667

won by 7 as a 3.5-point favorite

Kansas won 27-20 at UCF. Chance to win started at 55%, low 19%, high 97%.

L 34-37 vs CincinnatiTop 25 #39 of 667

lost by 3 as a 4.5-point favorite

Kansas lost 34-37 vs Cincinnati. Chance to win started at 70%, low under 1%, high 96%.

W 41-10 vs West Virginia #62 of 667

won by 31 as a 13.5-point favorite

Kansas won 41-10 vs West Virginia. Chance to win started at 86%, low 86%, high better than 99%.

L 31-42 @ MissouriTop 25 #12 of 667

lost by 11 as a 6.5-point underdog

Kansas lost 31-42 at Missouri. Chance to win started at 26%, low 1%, high 81%.

W 46-7 vs Wagner #242 of 667

won by 39 as a 45.5-point favorite

Kansas won 46-7 vs Wagner. Never in doubt.

W 31-7 vs Fresno State #87 of 667

won by 24 as a 14.5-point favorite

Kansas won 31-7 vs Fresno State. Chance to win started at 89%, low 86%, high better than 99%.

Line, fans and home field

The betting line, and the fans

Our model and the betting line don’t fully agree on Kansas’s chances here.

50-50Model · 87%Line · 100%Long Island UniversityKansas

Kansas favored by 44.5 · Total 57.5

How games like this usually go

Kansas by 44.5, and it went to form

50%90%Q1Q2Q3Q450%90%Q1Q2Q3Q4

Half of games8 in 10 gamesThis game

The band is where a favorite’s chance ran in the 411 games since 2025 with a favorite of 21.5 points or more.

The market

The spread moved 6 points toward Kansas.

opened −38.5now −44.5

The total rose 4 points.

opened 53.5now 57.5

Spread: −38.5 → −44.5 · Total: 53.5 → 57.5

Home field

Kansas is worth +3.2 points (±4.6) more at home than on the road since 2018 — bottom third of FBS, 32nd percentile.

38% at home, 22% on the road against FBS opponents (15-25 home, 10-36 away).

Our model gives every stadium the same flat 2.3-point home edge (why); the books use about 3. Against the closing line this stadium reads -1.0 at home vs. away over 92 games — inside the ±6.8 noise, so the flat number is the honest one here.

Night kickoff — historically worth about half a point more to the home side against the number, and not much more than that. The visitors travel about 1,152 miles to get here.

Where next