Kansas looks poised to be down a starter on the defensive side of the ball when it travels east to take on West Virginia this weekend. The status of a player on the offensive side of the ball also remains up in the air, according to Lance Leipold.
KU linebacker Jayson Gilliom did not take the field in KU's 23-20 loss to UNLV on Friday night due to an injury he sustained in the fourth quarter of KU's loss to Illinois in Week 2. The redshirt junior played 20 snaps on defense in Champaign before exiting the game. When KU updated its depth chart on Monday, Gilliom was not listed and Alex Raich was moved up to the starting role with Logan Brantley as the No. 2.
Leipold said Gilliom is doubtful for Saturday's game.
"Still from the Illinois game, he hasn't really done much and right now I wanted to make sure you guys are still reading the [depth chart] so I made sure to take him off because he didn't really go through much and I don't know if he'll be available this week it's not looking that way," Leipold said.
With Gilliom out, Raich stepped in against UNLV. He got the start at HAWK linebacker for KU and he went on to play 17 snaps, per Pro Football Focus. Raich has been a key special teams player for KU over the last two seasons and the 2024 campaign has been his first chance to earn snaps on defense.
The other player whose status is up in the air for Saturday's game is Daniel Hishaw Jr., who also missed the UNLV game. The KU running back was ill and had a mask on during the game on Friday night, but he also "slowed mid-week" ahead of the Week 3 contest.
Now, his status for the Week 4 road trip to Morgantown is unclear.
"That's going to be in question as well," Leipold said. "We hope so. One day it sounds like it's going to be [good] but we'll see."
Kansas Jayhawks Running Back Daniel Hishaw Jr. Out With Illness
Kansas Jayhawks running back Daniel Hishaw Jr. has been ruled out for Friday’s game against UNLV with an illness. Hishaw, a key part of the Jayhawks' offense, was expected to play a significant role in their second home game of the season at Children’s Mercy Park. His absence could impact Kansas' run-heavy approach, which was set to play a crucial role in the matchup against the UNLV Rebels.
Hishaw has been an important contributor to Kansas’ offense, and with him sidelined, the Jayhawks will look to other backs like Devin Neal to step up. Kansas comes into this game favored by 9 points, but Hishaw’s absence could affect how they approach their game plan, particularly in establishing the ground game early.
Impact of Hishaw's Absence on Kansas' Offense
Hishaw's absence could have a significant impact on the Jayhawks' offense, as he is a key part of their running game. He was expected to play a major role in the game against UNLV. His absence could force Kansas to rely more heavily on Devin Neal, who is their starting running back. However, Neal has already been carrying a heavy workload, and his increased workload could make him more vulnerable to injury.
Kansas' offensive coordinator, Jeff Grimes, acknowledged that not having Hishaw affected what they would have wanted to do against UNLV. While Neal is in good shape and can handle a more significant load, the added emphasis on him comes with a cost. If Hishaw were available, the Jayhawks would be better prepared in the fourth quarter.
Looking Ahead to West Virginia
The Jayhawks will finally get to settle into a regular routine beginning next week when they face West Virginia, with every remaining game on a Saturday. Hishaw's status for the West Virginia game is currently unknown, but it is something that Kansas fans will be keeping a close eye on.
Final Thoughts
Despite the absence of a key player, Kansas will still be looking to get a win against UNLV. The Jayhawks are favored in this matchup, but they will need to find a way to overcome the loss of Hishaw if they want to come away with a victory. The impact of Hishaw's absence will be closely watched by fans, and could be a key factor in the outcome of the game.
