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Bender leads Jayhawks over SE Missouri State
spt ap KU Bender
Kansas Jayhawks quarterback Peyton Bender (7) hands off to Kansas Jayhawks running back Khalil Herbert (10) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Lawrence, Kan., Saturday - photo by AP Photo

LAWRENCE (AP) — Peyton Bender threw for 364 yards and four touchdowns in his first career start for Kansas Saturday, leading the way to a 38-16 season-opening victory over Southeast Missouri State.
Bender got things rolling early, connecting with wide receiver Steven Sims Jr. for a 77-yard touchdown pass on the Jayhawks’ third play on offense. He threw another touchdown to wide receiver Chase Harrell on the next drive, putting Kansas ahead 14-0 barely over six minutes into the game.
Sims caught a second touchdown pass from Bender late in the second quarter, a 16-yard strike with 13 seconds remaining in the half. He finished with 142 yards, a game-high.
The Redhawks’ two touchdowns both came off the hand of quarterback Jesse Hosket. He hit wide receiver Trevon Billington for a 9-yard score midway through the second quarter, and found wide receiver Kristian Wilkerson for 22 yards in the fourth.
Southeast Missouri State struggled to find consistent footing offensively throughout. Hosket finished with 170 yards, completing just 25 of 44 passes, constantly disrupted by the stout Kansas front seven.

THE TAKEAWAY
KANSAS: The Jayhawks are entering their third season under coach David Beaty, and appear to be finally finding their rhythm as a team. Both the offense and defense were moving in stride all game with few major errors. Beaty and his staff still have some things to iron out before the real heat of the season begins, but overall, a strong opener.
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE: The Redhawks were facing an uphill battle entering this game, and were expectedly outmatched. Once they return to FCS competition next week, we should see what type of team they really are.

UP NEXT
KANSAS: The Jayhawks will host Central Michigan next Saturday, their final non-conference home game of the season.
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE: The Redhawks are on the road again next week, as they will face Dayton in their return to FCS competition.

Kansas 38, SE Missouri 16
SE Missouri 0 7 3 6—16
Kansas 14 7 14 3—38

First Quarter
KAN—Sims 77 pass from Bender (Rui kick), 12:41
KAN—Harrell 8 pass from Bender (Rui kick), 8:57
Second Quarter
SEM—Billington 9 pass from Hosket (Litang kick), 8:52
KAN—Sims 16 pass from Bender (Rui kick), :13
Third Quarter
SEM—FG Litang 45, 11:26
KAN—D.Williams 10 run (Rui kick), 10:17
KAN—B.Johnson 57 pass from Bender (Rui kick), 8:26
Fourth Quarter
KAN—FG Rui 25, 14:14
SEM—Wilkerson 22 pass from Hosket (kick failed), 12:17

SEM KAN
First downs 14 18
Rushes-yards 33-94 25-73
Passing 170 364
Comp-Att-Int 25-44-0 23-37-2
Return Yards 116 92
Punts-Avg. 8-33.37 6-28.5
Fumbles-Lost 0-0 2-1
Penalties-Yards 6-63 5-49
T.O.P. 34:51 25:09

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING—SE Missouri, Terry 23-87, Hosket 4-14, Larson 1-5, Sanders 3-4, (Team) 2-(minus 16). Kansas, D.Williams 10-41, Martin 5-17, D.Thompson 2-15, Randall 3-10, Herbert 1-4, Sims 1-(minus 3), Bender 3-(minus 11).
PASSING—SE Missouri, Hosket 25-44-0-170. Kansas, Bender 23-37-2-364.
RECEIVING—SE Missouri, Wilkerson 9-68, Billington 4-44, Terry 4-22, McLemore 3-13, Wheeler 1-11, Eisenhart 1-9, Sanders 1-4, Pierre 1-0, Cornett 1-(minus 1). Kansas, Booker 5-66, Sims 4-142, B.Johnson 3-90, Hampton 3-8, Ke.Johnson 2-19, Harrell 2-17, Schadler 2-12, Fairs 1-7, D.Thompson 1-3.
MISSED FIELD GOALS—None.