LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas scored 24 unanswered points to erase an early seven-point deficit and topped South Dakota, 31-14, in the Jayhawks' season-opener at Memorial Stadium on Saturday night.

Kansas rushed for 280 yards, including a game-high 94 yards and two touchdowns from James Sims, to claim their ninth win in the last 10 season opening contests, including two straight under Weis. Overall, KU is 89-31-4 when opening the season at home.

Weis called upon five different running backs in the first win of the season. After Sims, Darrian Miller rushed for the second most yards after collecting 86 rushing yards on 14 carries in his first game as a Jayhawk since 2011. Tony Pierson (47) and Taylor Cox (44) also contributed to the Kansas rushing attack.

South Dakota struck first taking a 7-0 lead after quarterback Josh Vander Maten threw a two-yard pass to Drew Potter near the end of the first quarter, but didn't score again until the junior signal caller punched it in from nine yards out in the fourth quarter. 

In the 39:54 between scores, the Jayhawks tallied four scores, including Sims' two runs, Justin McCay's first career touchdown pass from Jake Heaps, and a 45-yard field goal from Matthew Wyman – the longest by a Jayhawk since 2009.

In his KU debut, Heaps was 10-for-20 with 110 yards and the TD strike to McCay, his partner on KU's scout team a season ago. His longest throw of the night was a 25-yard connection with Pierson, who ended the game with two catches for team-best 32 yards.

The Jayhawks added one more touchdown in the fourth quarter as Brandon Bourbon scampered in from three yards to put KU ahead 31-14 with 5:59 left to play.

KU's defense was strong on opening night as the secondary limited the Coyotes to 67 yards passing – the lowest opposing team total since holding Kansas State to 66 yards on Nov. 7, 2009. Victor Simmons led the team with eight tackles in his first career start, Ben Goodman logged a sack on the Coyotes first play from scrimmage and Keon Stowers logged his first career interception in the first half.

Connor Embree, who earned a scholarship during fall camp, stole the show on special teams averaging 23.5 yards a return. His longest of the night was a 32-yard return. Wyman, in his first game as a Jayhawk, made 3-of-3 PATs and connected from 45-yards, the longest KU made field goal since Jacob Branstetter kicked a 46-yarder against K-State on Nov. 7, 2009.

Kansas continues non-conference action next Saturday against Rice in Houston, Texas – a game that will start at 6:30 p.m. and be televised on CBS College Sports Network.