AP - MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Riley Ferguson threw for 189 yards and two touchdowns and Jake Elliot kicked a trio of field goals -- including a 50-yarder -- as Memphis built an early lead and coasted to a 43-7 victory over Kansas on Saturday.

Ferguson completed 15 of 24 passes for Memphis (2-0), the bulk of his passing yards coming on an 84-yard completion to Anthony Miller for the game's first score. In addition to his 50-yarder, Elliot converted kicks of 41 and 42 yards.

 

The Jayhawks (1-2) struggled offensively throughout the game, although they did end with 314 yards total offense. Many times when Kansas was able to move the ball, the momentum was stalled by one of the Jayhawks' six turnovers in the game, including a 61-yard interception return for a touchdown by Memphis defensive tackle Jonathan Wilson. Wilson's return late in the second quarter gave Memphis a 33-7 lead at the break.

The Jayhawks never came close to threatening the Tigers in the second half.

TAKEAWAYS:

KANSAS: The Jayhawks again struggled to open the game. Kansas, which let Ohio build a 22-0 start last week game, was again fighting uphill Saturday. Memphis held a 19-0 lead before carrying its 33-7 advantage into halftime.

MEMPHIS: The Tigers, who managed only 110 yards on the ground in the season-opener against Southeast Missouri State, managed 205 rushing yards on Saturday, 52 of which came on a sweep from wideout Anthony Miller on the second play from scrimmage.