MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Kansas’ defense kept No. 9/8 West Virginia’s offense at bay for three of four quarters on Saturday afternoon, but 10 points in the final period sealed the 38-22 victory for the Mountaineers inside Milan Puskar Stadium.

On the defensive side, the Jayhawks slowed one of the top offenses in the country with three interceptions in the end zone in the first half. Prior to today’s game, WVU scored each trip into the red zone (15-for-15), but the Jayhawks forced three turnovers in the red zone. KU’s strong defensive efforts in the first 30 minutes kept Kansas within two possessions of the Mountaineers.

While KU’s defensive corps stopped West Virginia numerous times in the opening half, it was also the Jayhawks’ defense that ignited the first scoring drive of the game. An interception by junior Hasan Defense set up for senior quarterback Peyton Bender to complete an 18-yard scoring pass to senior tight end Mavin Saunders.

On the first drive of the second half, Kansas’ offense marched the ball 75 yards down the field on seven plays to score its second touchdown of the day, pulling KU within one possession of the Mountaineers.

While Kansas forced four turnovers for the third time this season, it was a turnover on special teams late in the fourth quarter that proved to be costly for the Jayhawks, keeping the momentum in West Virginia’s favor. Despite being down by three possessions late in the game, the Jayhawks didn’t quit and ended the game with a touchdown followed by a two-point conversion, but fell to West Virginia, 38-22.