Kansas routs Middle Tennessee 55-0

Team pages: Middle Tennessee · Kansas

Middle Tennessee2-30
Kansas2-255Final
Sat, Oct 3 · Memorial Stadium, Lawrence, Kan. · Crowd 32,000ESPNU

Kansas routed Middle Tennessee 55-0.

We had Kansas favored. It won.

Next: Middle Tennessee beat Delaware 33-30, Tue Oct 13

Next: Kansas lost to Utah 41-24, Sat Oct 10

How it swung

Before kickoff, our ratings gave Kansas a 67% chance, and the closing betting line (Kansas was a 21.5-point favorite) put it at 96%.

FinalKansas 55-0 Middle TennesseeKansas wonMove across the chart, or tap a numbered swing, to see any play.
50%75%90%Q1Q2Q3Q4KansasWon55-0Scores
50%75%90%Q1Q2Q3Q4KansasWon55-0Scores
50%10%25%Q1Q2Q3Q4KansasLowest 0%Lost0-55Scores
50%10%25%Q1Q2Q3Q4KansasLowest 0%Lost0-55Scores

No single play moved the chance by 20 points.

No single play moved the chance by 20 points.

Kansas’s chance to win after every play.
How to read this chartStarts from the pregame line (Kansas -21.5), at 95% 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.

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. Q2, 13:13Edwards 6-yd TD runKansas leads 10-0Q2, 13:13 · Kansas 10, Middle Tennessee 0▲2%Kansas’s chance to win, 95% to 97%▲2%Kansas’s chance to win, 95% to 97%Watch from this playESPN College Football
  2. Q2, 4:23Edwards 5-yd TD runKansas leads 17-0Q2, 4:23 · Kansas 17, Middle Tennessee 017-0score after the play17-0score after the playWatch from this playESPN College Football
  3. Q3, 12:20Edwards 12-yd TD runKansas leads 27-0Q3, 12:20 · Kansas 27, Middle Tennessee 027-0score after the play27-0score after the playWatch from this playESPN College Football
  4. Q3, 3:47Marshall 34-yd TD pass to CoxKansas leads 34-0Q3, 3:47 · Kansas 34, Middle Tennessee 034-0score after the play34-0score after the playWatch from this playESPN College Football
  5. Q4, 12:21Dupree 5-yd TD runKansas leads 41-0Q4, 12:21 · Kansas 41, Middle Tennessee 041-0score after the play41-0score after the playWatch from this playESPN College Football
  6. Q4, 8:35Jenkins 14-yd TD runKansas leads 48-0Q4, 8:35 · Kansas 48, Middle Tennessee 048-0score after the play48-0score after the playWatch from this playESPN College Football
  7. Q4, 5:22Cummings-Coleman 24-yd TD runKansas leads 55-0Q4, 5:22 · Kansas 55, Middle Tennessee 055-0score after the play55-0score after the playWatch from this playESPN College Football

Every drive

Kansas scored on 9 of its 12 drives; Middle Tennessee on 0 of its 12.

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

own goalgoal lineQ1Middle Tennessee: Punt, from 75 yards out to 47PuntKansas: Field goal, from 80 yards out to 25Field goalMiddle Tennessee: Punt, from 75 yards out to 65PuntKansas: Touchdown, from 75 yards out to 0TouchdownQ2Middle Tennessee: Punt, from 57 yards out to 50PuntKansas: Punt, from 80 yards out to 67PuntMiddle Tennessee: Punt, from 65 yards out to 54PuntKansas: Touchdown, from 60 yards out to 0TouchdownMiddle Tennessee: Turned over on downs, from 45 yards out to 40DownsKansas: Field goal, from 60 yards out to 17Field goalMiddle Tennessee: End of half, from 75 yards out to 76End of halfQ3Kansas: Touchdown, from 48 yards out to 0TouchdownMiddle Tennessee: Punt, from 75 yards out to 75PuntKansas: Punt, from 69 yards out to 51PuntMiddle Tennessee: Punt, from 80 yards out to 73PuntKansas: Touchdown, from 91 yards out to 0TouchdownMiddle Tennessee: Fumble, from 75 yards out to 42FumbleKansas: Touchdown, from 58 yards out to 0TouchdownQ4Middle Tennessee: Punt, from 75 yards out to 44PuntKansas: Touchdown, from 91 yards out to 0TouchdownMiddle Tennessee: Punt, from 83 yards out to 77PuntKansas: Touchdown, from 71 yards out to 0TouchdownMiddle Tennessee: Punt, from 75 yards out to 76PuntKansas: End of game, from 80 yards out to 32End of game

What it cost

Middle Tennessee’s chance to win the conference fell from 4% to 3%.

Win the conference

Middle Tennessee · lost4% → ▼3%
Kansas · won0% → 0%

Before the game (October 2, 2026) → after this result, in our model.

Box score

Kansas 55, Middle Tennessee 0

Kansas covered −21.5 by 33.5. The total, 55, went over 51.5.

Middle TennesseeKansasTotal yardsMiddle Tennessee 136Kansas 706136706Passing yardsMiddle Tennessee 81Kansas 22681226Rushing yardsMiddle Tennessee 55Kansas 48055480First downsMiddle Tennessee 7Kansas 36736TurnoversMiddle Tennessee 1Kansas 010Time of possessionMiddle Tennessee 19:05Kansas 40:5519:0540:55
Team totalsMiddle TennesseeKansas
Total yards136706
Passing9 of 26, 81 yds16 of 25, 226 yds
Rushing16 for 55 yds58 for 480 yds
First downs736
Third down1 of 117 of 12
Fourth down0 of 11 of 1
Turnovers10
Penalties3 for 15 yds6 for 50 yds
Time of possession19:0540:55

Middle Tennessee leaders

  • Passing Roman Gagliano 9 of 26, 81 yds
  • Rushing Antonio Martin 8 for 40 yds; Terrence Brown Jr. 4 for 16 yds
  • Receiving Ziyon Butler 2 for 44 yds; Cam'Ron Lacy 2 for 25 yds

Kansas leaders

  • Passing Isaiah Marshall 13 of 22, 161 yds, 1 TD
  • Rushing Dylan Edwards 20 for 137 yds, 3 TD; Isaiah Marshall 11 for 110 yds
  • Receiving Bryson Hayes 3 for 50 yds; Cam Pickett 6 for 49 yds

No rain through the game

64° at kickoff · no rain recorded

October game-day temperatures at Memorial Stadium

Win chance with rain, wind and thunder from the nearest airport, by game timeQ1Q2Q3Q4Kansas favoredMiddle Tennessee favored100%Win chanceKansasRaininches per 10 min0.1 inNo rain recordedWindmph, average and gusts20 mph40 mphHourly wind only at this airport
Win chance with rain, wind and thunder from the nearest airport, by game timeQ1Q2Q3Q4Kansas favoredMiddle Tennessee favoredRain · inches per 10 min0.1 inNo rain recordedWind · miles per hour2040Hourly wind only at this airport

Drag along the chart, or step through the game.

First quarter, 14:57 left11:08 a.m.
Middle Tennessee 0, Kansas 0 · Kansas 95% to win
no rain · 66°
Gagliano incomplete to Lacy
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 4 games

Middle Tennessee · 2-2

Rated 133rd in our preseason ratings, 126th now.

2-2 in its last 4, including a 7-point win over Nevada as a 3.5-point underdog.

L 13-23 @ Jacksonville State #67 of 668

lost by 10 as a 7-point underdog

Middle Tennessee lost 13-23 at Jacksonville State. Chance to win started at 23%, low under 1%, high 43%.

W 27-20 vs Nevada #182 of 668

won by 7 as a 3.5-point underdog

L 26-28 @ Marshall #33 of 668

lost by 2 as an 11.5-point underdog

Middle Tennessee lost 26-28 at Marshall. Chance to win started at 16%, low under 1%, high 66%.

W 38-14 vs Murray State #251 of 668

won by 24 as a 22.5-point favorite

Middle Tennessee won 38-14 vs Murray State. Chance to win started at 95%, low 93%, high better than 99%.

Last three games

Kansas · 1-2

Rated 87th in our preseason ratings, 81st now.

1-2 in its last three — but nothing on this résumé beats a top-40 team yet.

L 17-24 vs Arizona State #52 of 668

lost by 7 as a 5.5-point underdog

Kansas lost 17-24 vs Arizona State. Chance to win started at 38%, low under 1%, high 61%.

L 21-38 vs MissouriTop 25 #39 of 668

lost by 17 as a 4-point underdog

Kansas lost 21-38 vs Missouri. Chance to win started at 47%, low under 1%, high 71%.

W 51-6 vs Long Island University #164 of 668

won by 45 as a 44.5-point favorite

Kansas won 51-6 vs Long Island University. Chance to win started at better than 99%, low 99%, high better than 99%.

Week by week

Kansas

Wk 1: W 51-6 vs Long Island University▲45Long Island Uni…Wk 2: L 21-38 vs Missouri▼17MissouriWk 3: L 17-24 vs Arizona State▼7Arizona State
  • Wk 1Wvs Long Island University51-6
  • Wk 2Lvs Missouri21-38
  • Wk 3Lvs Arizona State17-24

Middle Tennessee

Wk 1: W 38-14 vs Murray State▲24Murray StateWk 2: L 26-28 at Marshall▼2MarshallWk 3: W 27-20 vs Nevada▲7NevadaWk 4: L 13-23 at Jacksonville State▼10Jacksonvill…
  • Wk 1Wvs Murray State38-14
  • Wk 2Lat Marshall26-28
  • Wk 3Wvs Nevada27-20
  • Wk 4Lat Jacksonville State13-23

Power rating by week

Kansas is rated 3.4 points ahead as of week 4. Our power rating by week; higher is better.

0-3-7Wk 0Wk 2Wk 4KansasMiddle Tennessee

Matchups

Biggest mismatch: Middle Tennessee’s success rate against Kansas, 62 points

Each row ranks the two sides among all teams. The longer the line, the bigger the mismatch.

  1. Middle Tennessee’s success rate against Kansas’s defense

    62 pointsweakerstronger50th

    Middle Tennessee offense, 22nd percentile · Kansas defense, 84th

  2. Middle Tennessee’s rushing EPA against Kansas’s defense

    55 pointsweakerstronger50th

    Middle Tennessee offense, 32nd percentile · Kansas defense, 87th

  3. Middle Tennessee’s explosive plays against Kansas’s defense

    47 pointsweakerstronger50th

    Middle Tennessee offense, 74th percentile · Kansas defense, 27th

Season profile, all the rows

Season profile

Middle TennesseeKansas
EPA/play, offense
Middle Tennessee · 40Kansas · 64
EPA/play, defense
Middle Tennessee · 18Kansas · 83
Success rate, offense
Middle Tennessee · 22Kansas · 62
Success rate, defense
Middle Tennessee · 7Kansas · 84
Explosive-play rate, offense
Middle Tennessee · 74Kansas · 95
Explosive-play rate, defense
Middle Tennessee · 70Kansas · 27
Rush EPA, offense
Middle Tennessee · 32Kansas · 68
Rush EPA, defense
Middle Tennessee ·…Kansas · 87
Pass EPA, offense
Middle Tennessee · 37Kansas · 57
Pass EPA, defense
Middle Tennessee · 40Kansas · 50

Line, fans and home field

The betting line, and the fans

Middle Tennessee fans are in a better mood than Kansas fans (38th vs 18th among FBS fanbases), even with Kansas favored.

  • Model · 67%
  • Line · 96%
  • Kansas fans · 18th
  • Middle Tennessee fans · 38th

Kansas favored by 21.5 · Total 51.5

How games like this usually go

Kansas by 21.5, 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 total fell 1 point.

opened 52.5now 51.5

Total: 52.5 → 51.5

The books’ cut: 4.1%, the margin built into the odds

Weather at kickoff

Mild and dry. Feels like 70° at kickoff.

Middle Tennessee at Kansas · Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026 · Memorial Stadium, Lawrence

  • 70°feels like at kickoff
  • Dryno rain at kickoff
  • 99weather score, Comfortable
  • Tiedfor the best of the day's 5 kickoff times

At kickoff, Oct. 3, 2026.

Weather score: 0 to 100, higher is better, for the first 3 hours and 20 minutes of the game. Ideal is 100, Comfortable 90 to 99, Mixed 75 to 89, Rough 50 to 74, Harsh under 50.

Kickoff times that Saturday

Games in this time zone used 5 kickoff times that day, local time (kickoffs within 30 minutes of each other count as one). This game, ringed, was tied for the best of the day's five kickoff times. At Memorial Stadium that day, a 6 pm kickoff would have scored 100, against 99 at 11 am.

  • 11 am: 99, Comfortable (this game)
  • 2:30 pm: 93, Comfortable
  • 3:15 pm: 94, Comfortable
  • 6 pm: 100, Ideal
  • 6:45 pm: 99, Comfortable

Weather score at each kickoff time.

Tap a dot to read that kickoff time.

At kickoff, Oct. 3, 2026. Wind is not drawn here; gusts are in each score.

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.

The visitors travel about 532 miles to get here.

Where next