Jayhawks

NCAAF Kansas Jayhawks

General Information

Conference: Big 12 Conference (1996–present)
NCAA Division: Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS)
City: Lawrence, Kansas
Stadium: David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium
Conference Titles: 9 (1892, 1893, 1895, 1908, 1923, 1930, 1946, 1947, 1968)

Championships

Bowl Game Appearances: 12
Championships: 10
National Championships: None
Divisional Championships: 1 (2007)

Past Conferences

Kansas Intercollegiate Athletic Association (1890–1891)
Western Interstate University Football Association (1892–1897)
Independent (1898–1906)
Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association (1907–1928)
Big 6/7/8 Conference (1929–1995)

Kansas Jayhawks Stats & Analysis

Check out all the information related to team stats.

Passing yards

⦁ Todd Reesing: 11,194

⦁ Frank Seurer: 6,410

⦁ Kelly Donohoe: 5,382

⦁ Dave Jaynes: 5,350

⦁ Carter Stanley: 5,035

Rushing yards

June Henley: 3,841
Tony Sands: 3,777
James Sims: 3,592
Laverne Smith: 3,192
Clark Green: 2,754
Receiving yards
Dezmon Briscoe: 3,240
Steven Sims Jr.: 2,582
Kerry Meier: 2,309
Willie Vaughn: 2,266
Mark Simmons: 2,161
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Kansas Jayhawks – NCAAF History

Team History

The Kansas Jayhawks are a Division I FBS Football team based in Lawrence, Kansas. The origin of the Jayhawk term has to do with the historic struggles of settlers in Kansas. The name is a combination of the blue jay bird, a noisy, feisty creature which robs other nests, and the sparrow hawk, a stealthy hunter, both of which convey the message: Don’t turn your back on this bird.

Initially founded in 1890, The Kansas football team has an overall record of 600–671–60. As one of the oldest college football programs in the nation, Kansas started strong for their first five decades, posting a total of four undefeated seasons, several conference championships and their first-ever bowl appearance in the 1947 Orange Bowl, losing against Georgia Tech in a 20-14 affair, spoiling what could have been their fifth-ever unbeaten season in program history.

From Downturn to Turnaround

After some struggles in the mid-20th Century, including numerous losing seasons, coaching changes and program violations with the NCAA, Kansas took a steep downturn over the years. Coach Glen Mason made big strides to turn the program around between 1987 and 1996, with four winning seasons and a pair of bowl game victories, both in the Aloha Bowl in 1992 and 1995.

The best season in modern history for the Jayhawks was in 2007 under Mark Mangino. Kansas went 12-1 that season, winning the Big 12 North Division title, and earning their first and only berth in the now defunct Bowl Championship Series, picking up a 24-21 victory over Virginia Tech in the 2008 Orange Bowl.

Kansas Jayhawks FAQs

What is the best season in Kansas Jayhawks program history?

The best season in modern history for the Kansas Jayhawks program came in 2007 under head coach Mark Mangino. Kansas went 12-1 that season, winning the Big 12 North Division title, and earning their first and only berth in the now defunct Bowl Championship Series, picking up a 24-21 victory over the Virginia Tech Hokies in the 2008 Orange Bowl down in Miami, Florida.

What was the worst season in Kansas Jayhawks program history?

There have been many atrocious seasons in Kansas Jayhawks program history, the worst of which came under head coach David Beaty in 2015, when the Jayhawks lost all 12 games they played, while yielding a nation-worst 46 points per game on defense. Kansas gave up 30 or more points in ten of their twelve contests and held to 14 points or fewer in seven games that season.

Who is the greatest player in Kansas Jayhawks program history?

Nicknamed the “Kansas Comet”, running back Gale Sayers would play three seasons for the Kansas Jayhawks between 1962 and 1964, rushing for 2.675 yards and gaining a total of 4,020 all-purpose yards, which set a then-Big Eight Conference record. Sayers was selected fourth overall in the first round of the 1965 National Football League draft by the Chicago Bears, as well as the Kansas City Chiefs, then part of the American Football League. Sayers chose to go to the Windy City and in parts of seven seasons, he instantly became one of the best running backs in National Football League history. Sayers rushed for 4,956 yards, while gaining another 2,781 yards in returns and 1,307 receiving yards in his pro career, which was cut short due to a severe tear of his Anterior Cruciate Ligament and Medial Collateral Ligament in his right knee in 1968. Sayers would return for a couple more seasons, officially retiring in 1971. At 34 years old, he became the youngest inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977, the same year he would also be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. His #48 jersey number was retired by the University of Kansas in 1989, one of only three Jayhawks players to earn that honor. Sayers died at age 77 in 2020 due to complications of dementia.

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