3 players to watch when Arizona football takes on Kansas for homecoming

Arizona football and the Kansas Jayhawks — two five-win teams — square off at Arizona Stadium Saturday afternoon for a chance to punch their ticket to the postseason.

The Wildcats are 5.5-point favorites, according to Action Network.   

Both teams are coming off dominant victories last week. The Jayhawks beat the Oklahoma State Cowboys, 38-21, while Arizona dismantled Colorado, 52-17, in Boulder. 

Here are three players to watch from each team:

Kansas

Jalon Daniels, quarterback: Arizona's defense will be tested against one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the Big 12 this season. Daniels is currently in his sixth season at KU and has completed nearly 67% of his passes this season for 1,991 yards, 20 touchdowns and three interceptions. Daniels has the second-fewest interceptions among starting Big 12 quarterbacks. 

Daniels' 8,742 career yards and 65 passing touchdowns both rank second in KU history. 

"He's had success for a long time at that school and in this conference," said Arizona head coach Brent Brennan. "The thing about him is that he's a dynamic player in making every throw and being able to run it effectively. He's a strong, powerful kid, so you see him break tackles. ... What they have done and how they're built, with their really effective run game and his arm talent, he's an incredibly hard player to defend." 

Emmanuel Henderson Jr., receiver and kick returner: Kansas has a reliable one-two punch in the backfield with Leshon Williams and Daniel Hishaw at running back, but Brennan said the Jayhawks have "threats outside" at wide receiver, headlined by Henderson, "which is a big body that can run." Henderson, a transfer from Alabama and a former five-star recruit, is 12th in the Big 12 with 573 receiving yards. 

Henderson is second in the Big 12 as a kick returner, averaging 27.5 yards per return. Henderson's 385 kick return yards ranks 14th in college football. 

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Arizona kickoff specialist Ian Wagner has 47 touchbacks on 50 kickoff attempts. Wagner's leg strength and preventing Henderson from returning kicks could be a difference maker on Saturday. 

Laith Marjan, kicker: The college football journeyman started his career at East Carolina and then played for South Alabama last season. In the last two seasons combined, Marjan is 28-for-29 on field goals — 11-for-11 on field goals between 40-49 yards. He's a perfect 12 for 12 this season and 33 for 33 on extra points. Marjan made a career-long 55-yard field goal against Texas Tech last month. 

Arizona

Jay'Vion Cole, cornerback: Cole leads the Wildcats with three interceptions this season and recently had arguably his best performance since transferring to Arizona from Texas. Cole was one of three Wildcats to record interceptions against Colorado, and he also had a forced fumble that was recovered by Genesis Smith. Cole has Arizona's second-highest overall defensive grade (81.6) on Pro Football Focus behind defensive back Treydan Stukes (minimum of 200 snaps). 

Kris Hutson, wide receiver: After overcoming injuries and settling into the offense, Hutson has become one of Arizona's top receivers. The sixth-year receiver trails only Javin Whatley in receptions and receiving yards at Arizona this season. In the last three games, Hutson has 18 catches for 199 yards and two touchdowns. His first-quarter touchdown against Colorado put the Wildcats ahead 17-0 last week. 

Luke Wysong, wide receiver and punt returner: Wysong has 18 catches for 249 yards and a touchdown this season, but he's been most impactful in the special teams space as a punt returner. 

Wysong is second in the Big 12, averaging 11.4 yards per return. He has returned eight punts for 91 yards this season. Wysong had a 27-yard return in the first half against Colorado and had three returns for 44 yards.

Earlier this week, Brennan called Wysong, who transferred from New Mexico for his final season, "the ultimate team player.”

“He’s been such a great addition to our football team,” Brennan said. “He’s a leader, super high care factor, incredibly hard worker, he’s very well-respected on the team and he brings a toughness and aggressiveness to that position of punt returner and wide receiver. ... If you give Luke a little bit of air, he’s got the speed and toughness to go. I thought that was a great way to start the other night.”