2023 Kansas Jayhawks Football Team

The 2023 Kansas Jayhawks football team represented the University of Kansas as a member of the Big 12 Conference during 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It was the 134th season of play in program history. Led by third-year head coach Lance Leipold, Kansas finished the season 9–4 overall and 5–4 in conference play, placing seventh in the Big 12. The Jayhawks defeated UNLV in the 2023 Guaranteed Rate Bowl for the program's first bowl game victory in 15 years. The team played home games at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kansas.

The Jayhawks entered the season with their highest expectations in several years. They were picked ninth out of 14 teams in the conference, their highest selection since the Big 12 eliminated divisions. In the preseason Coaches poll released on August 7, Kansas received a vote to be ranked. It was their first vote in a preseason poll since 2009. They also received 10 votes in the AP poll. They had four different players selected to the watch lists of seven awards and five preseason All-Big 12 selections. Quarterback Jalon Daniels was also named the preseason Player of the Year for the Big 12.

The Jayhawks won their first four games to start 4–0 back-to-back seasons for the first time since starting 4–0 three straight seasons from 1913 to 1915. After defeating sixth-ranked Oklahoma on October 28, Kansas became bowl eligible for the second consecutive season, which was the first time the Jayhawks were bowl eligible in back-to-back seasons since 2007 and 2008. The victory also gave the Jayhawks their first win over the Sooners since 1997, their first win over a top-ten team since defeating third-ranked Virginia Tech in the 2008 Orange Bowl, and their first win over a top-ten ranked team at home since defeating second-ranked Oklahoma in 1984. The Jayhawks achieved a winning season in conference play, their first since 2007. Kansas finished the season ranked 23rd in the AP poll, their first time being ranked in the final AP poll since the 2007 season.

Offseason

Coaching staff changes

The Jayhawks did not lose a single member of their coaching staff from the previous season.

Starters lost

Starters are based on starters from the final game of the 2022 season. Players listed below have run out eligibility. In total, the Jayhawks had 4 players run out of eligibility.

Entered NFL Draft

Transfer portal

;Incoming

;Outgoing
Transfers listed below are only players who announced intention to transfer after the final regular season game of 2022.

Recruiting

;Highest rated recruit

Preseason

Big 12 preseason poll

The Big 12 preseason poll was released on July 6. Kansas was picked ninth in the conference, their first time not being selected in last place since the Big 12 eliminated divisions in 2010.

First place votes in parentheses.

Preseason awards

;QB Jalon Daniels
* 1st Team All-Big 12
* Big 12 Player of the Year
* Walter Camp Award watch list
* Davey O'Brien Award watch list
* Manning Award watch list

;CB Cobee Bryant
* 1st Team All-Big 12
* Jim Thorpe Award watch list
* Bednarik Award watch list

;RB Devin Neal
* 1st Team All-Big 12
* Doak Walker Award watch list

;RB Daniel Hishaw Jr.
* Doak Walker Award watch list

;C Mike Novitski
* 1st team All-Big 12

Schedule

Rankings

Game summaries

Rankings are from AP poll through Oklahoma game and the College Football Playoff poll beginning with the Iowa State game through the end of the season.

Missouri State

The Jayhawks were without preseason conference player of the year Jalon Daniels who was still nursing an injury suffered in the Jayhawks bowl game the previous season. After trailing 10–7 early, the Jayhawks never trailed again. They would outscore the Bears 41–7 for the remainder of the game. It was the Jayhawks 3rd straight opening game win.

Illinois

The Jayhawks raced out to a 21–0 first half lead before allowing a touchdown, but Kansas responded to their first touchdown allowed with one themselves. The Illini would outscore the Jayhawks in the 2nd half 16-6 but it wouldn't be enough as the Jayhawks won 34–23.

at Nevada

Despite entering the game as a 4 touchdown favorite, the Jayhawks struggled early in the game. It was 10–10 at halftime. In the second half, the teams traded touchdowns, but in the end the Jayhawks would score the game winning touchdown with 6 minutes left to win.

BYU

Kansas was Big 12 newcomer BYU's first conference game. The teams traded touchdown early before BYU took a 3-point halftime lead. The Jayhawks would go on a 21–3 run to take the lead. Kansas would win 38–27 to start the season 4–0.

at No. 3 Texas

The Jayhawks and Longhorns played each other as ranked teams for the first time in the history of the series. It was also the final matchup before Texas leaves the Big 12 for the SEC. Quarterback Jalon Daniels re-aggravated a preseason back injury in warmups and did not play. The Jayhawks kept the game close early, until the second half when they were outscored 27–7 giving the Jayhawks their first loss of the season.

UCF

In the Jayhawks first ever meeting with new Big 12 member UCF, they jumped out to an early 31–0 lead despite Jalon Daniels being out for the 2nd straight week. UCF would only manage 3 touchdowns, while the Jayhawks would score 51 points. Their 28 point margin of victory was the largest in a conference game since defeated rival Kansas State by 31 in 2008.

at Oklahoma State

The Jayhawks fell into an early 14–0 deficit. Despite two special teams miscues resulting in mixed extra points, they fought back to gain a 19–17 lead. After trading touchdowns but KU missing a 2-point conversion attempt, the Jayhawks took a slim 2 point into halftime. The Cowboys outscored the Jayhawks 15–7 in the second half, partially due to two interceptions from quarterback Jason Bean leading to the Jayhawks loss.

No. 6 Oklahoma

In the last matchup with the Sooners before they leave for the SEC, Kansas got out to a 14–0 lead. Oklahoma responded with a 21–0 run to take a 21–17 lead into halftime. KU would go on a 9–0 run to start the second half. The teams traded touchdowns. Kansas got the ball with 1:56 left. They marched down the field to score the game winning touchdown with 55 seconds left to become bowl eligible. The win was also the Jayhawks first win over Oklahoma since 1997, first win over top 10 team at home since 1984, and first win over a top 10 team period since 2008.

at Iowa State

The Jayhawks jumped out to a 14 point lead before Iowa State scored their first points, a field goal. Kansas would open the 2nd half with a touchdown to take a 21–3 lead. Iowa State responded with a 15–0 to make the game 21–18. Kansas followed up an Iowa State touchdown and 2 point conversion with an 80 yard touchdown to take a 28–18 lead. Iowa State would kick a field goal but wouldn't have enough in the end. It was KU's first road win against Iowa State since 2008 and first win as a ranked team since 2009. The win also gave KU their first 7 win season since 2008.

Texas Tech

The Jayhawks, already down starter Jalon Daniels, lost backup Jason Bean to injury early in the game. Texas Tech jumped to an early 13–0 lead before Kansas scored their first points on a 60 yard touchdown. After two Seth Keller field goals, the score was tied with 25 seconds left. Texas Tech would march down the field quickly to kick a game winning field goal with 3 seconds.

No. 21 Kansas State

In the first matchup in Sunflower Showdown with both teams ranked in 28 years, the teams traded scores early in the game. In the beginning of the second half, Kansas took an 11 point lead. K-State would come back to win the game. It was the 15th straight loss for KU in the rivalry. The loss also officially eliminated Kansas' slim hopes to play in the Big 12 championship game.

at Cincinnati

In their first conference game again Big 12 newcomer Cincinnati, Kansas would only trail for briefly. The Jayhawks scored their first touchdown halfway through the second quarter and followed it up with another touchdown. The Jayhawks would pull away in the 4th quarter following two Jason Bean touchdown runs to win 49–16. The win gave the Jayhawks their first 8 more win regular season since 2007. It also gave the Jayhawks their most conference wins since winning 7 in 2007. It also gave the Jayhawks as many conference wins as the previous four seasons combined.

UNLV

After giving up a touchdown on their first drive on defense and then punting on their first drive on offense, the Jayhawks went on to score 28 unanswered points before UNLV kicked a field goal as time expired in the first half. UNLV started the 2nd half on a 14–0 run to pull within 4 points. The teams traded touchdowns at the beginning of the 4th quarter before the Jayhawks would put the game away with a 14–0 run. The Jayhawks won 49–36 despite 18 penalties for 216 yards, the majority of which were personal fouls and unsportsmanlike conduct. Senior quarterback Jason Bean tied a program record for passing touchdowns with 6. The win gave the Jayhawks their first bowl victory since they won the same bowl game, when it was known as the Insight Bowl, in 2008.

Roster

Regular season awards

All-Big 12

First team

* OL Dominick Puni
* DL Austin Booker
* DB Cobee Bryant

Second team

* RB Devin Neal
* DB Kenny Logan

Honorable mention

* WR Lawrence Arnold
* QB Jason Bean
* DB Mello Dotson
* TE Mason Fairchild
* OL Mike Novitski
* DL Jereme Robinson

Conference awards

;Austin Booker
* Defensive Newcomer of the Year

Source:

Notes

References

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