Kansas beats West Virginia to snap 27-game Big 12 losing streak

LAWRENCE, Kan. -- James Sims rushed for 211 yards and three touchdowns and Kansas snapped a 27-game Big 12 losing streak Saturday with a 31-19 victory over West Virginia. Thousands of fans stormed onto the field embracing players and coaches and eventually tearing down the south goalpost. Sims, who recorded a career-high on 22 carries, broke runs of 62 and 68 yards while Kansas (3-7, 1-6 Big 12) ended a Big 12 drought that had lasted more than three years. Winds gusting near 50 MPH kept plastic bags and autumn leaves tumbling across the field as the sparse crowd witnessed Kansas' first conference victory since a come-from-behind win over Colorado on Nov. 6, 2010. It was just the second Big 12 win in 40 games for the Jayhawks, who had fired two coaches and plunged back into deep mediocrity after winning the 2008 Orange Bowl.