James Sims rushed for 104 yards and a touchdown, and spearheaded Kansas' 301-yard rushing attack as the Jayhawks defeated McNeese State 42-24 on Saturday in Lawrence, Kan.

Kansas wasn’t about to be embarrassed again in its season opener, one year after it lost 6-3 to North Dakota State.

Jayhawks quarterback Jordan Webb threw for three touchdowns - he was 7-of-10 for 146 yards - and ran for another, while Tony Pierson also rushed for a touchdown.

Kansas ran on 25 of its first 30 plays and led 21-3 after a half in which it averaged seven yards per play.

McNeese State, a strong FCS program that is 39-16 over the past five seasons, has lost its last three games to FBS opponents by a combined 124-39.

The Cowboys got strong performances from quarterbacks Cody Stroud and Riley Dodge, who combined to go 31-of-41 passing for 315 yards and two touchdowns.