BIG EIGHT : Returns Are In as Kansas Rolls, 72-0

Ashaundi Smith returned the second-half kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown and Dorian Brew added an 81-yard punt return for a score as Kansas beat Alabama-Birmingham, 72-0, at Lawrence, Kan.

Kansas scored on a kickoff and a punt for the first time in the same game since 1966 while rolling to 28 points in the third quarter.

Alabama Birmingham, playing its first game ever against a Division I-A team, was able to move the ball at times, but committed three turnovers in the first half that Kansas (3-1) converted into touchdowns and a 24-0 lead.

Smith then returned the second-half kickoff for a touchdown and the rout was on as Kansas put up its biggest margin since beating South Dakota State, 86-6, in 1947.

The Blazers, trying to make the transition to major college football since playing as a club sport as recently as 1989, were shut out for the first time in 32 games.

Kansas scheduled the game because Alabama Birmingham (1-3) didn’t demand a visit by the Jayhawks in return. Kansas wanted to play Saturday because it has an open date next weekend before a Thursday-game against rival Kansas State.

Rice 28, Iowa State 18--Byron Coston’s 87-yard run set up a touchdown and Josh LaRocca passed for two scores as the Owls won a battle of winless teams at Ames, Iowa.

Rice (1-2) won for the first time under Coach Ken Hatfield and sent Iowa State to its first 0-4 start since 1987. Iowa State made it respectable only by scoring two late touchdowns after trailing 28-3 early in the fourth quarter.

Iowa State, which has lost six straight dating back to last season, tried to shake up its sluggish triple-option offense by running more I-formation plays. But the Cyclones continued to struggle in a steady rain and had only 129 yards after three quarters.