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Kansas cruises past New Mexico State 42-16

Sep 26, 2010 - 2:30 AM LAWRENCE, Kan.(AP) -- D.J. Beshears scored three touchdowns, including a 96-yard kickoff return, in the first half to propel Kansas to a 42-16 victory over the New Mexico State on Saturday night.

After Seth Smith's 1-yard touchdown plunge for the Aggies (0-3) tied the score at 7-7, Beshears returned the ensuing kickoff, matching the eighth longest return ever for the Jayhawks (2-2).

Beshears, who was a defensive back last season as a freshman and began this season as a wide receiver, rushed for two touchdowns on carries of 10 and 7 yards, putting the Aggies down 21-7 at halftime.

The Jayhawks scored two more touchdowns in the third quarter, including a Jordan Webb 2-yard pass to Tim Biere to cap off a 99-yard 17-play drive. James Sims had touchdowns runs of 11 and 1 yards in the second half.

Webb completed his first six passes for 104 yards, including 35 yards to Jonathan Wilson and 47 yards to Angus Quigley to set up Beshears' first touchdown. Webb finished the night with 17 of 27 passes for 249 yards and one touchdown.

After Kansas quarterbacks had been sacked 12 times in the first three games, Webb and Kale Pick, who came in the fourth quarter, avoided being sacked by the Aggies, who have yet to record a sack this season.

Taveon Rogers returned a Jayhawks' kickoff 51 yards to set up New Mexico State's first touchdown. Smith, a 1,000-yard rusher last season, then got the final yard of 44-yard drive.

Beshears' long kickoff return became the start of the Jayhawks scoring 28 unanswered points.

Sims, a true freshman, led all rushers with 115 yards on 16 carries.

Smith topped New Mexico rushers with 52 yards on 16 carries, while Marcus Allen had 45 yards on four carries and four catches for 89 yards.

The Aggies scored nine points in the fourth quarter with Allen hauling in a 25-yard touchdown pass from Matt Christian. Tyler Stampler kicked a 20-yard field goal with 9:17 left for the final New Mexico State points.