What Is 1985 Kansas Jayhawks football team

Overview

The 1985 Kansas Jayhawks football team represented the University of Kansas during the 1985 NCAA Division I-A football season. Competing in the Big Eight Conference, the team was led by head coach John Hadl, who was in his fifth and final year at the helm. The Jayhawks played their home games at Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kansas.

Despite some competitive performances, the team finished the season with a losing record and missed postseason play. The season reflected ongoing struggles within the program during the mid-1980s, as Kansas failed to reach a bowl game for the third consecutive year. Still, several players showed promise and contributed to future rebuilding efforts.

• Season record: The team finished with a 5–6 overall record and a 3–4 mark in Big Eight Conference play, placing fifth in the league standings.
• Head coach: John Hadl served as head coach for the fifth straight season, compiling a 5–6 record before stepping down after the season.
• Scoring: Kansas scored 202 total points during the season, averaging 18.4 points per game, which ranked 78th nationally.
• Defense: The defense allowed 250 points, averaging 22.7 points per game, indicating struggles in containing opposing offenses.
• Home field: All home games were played at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, a 50,071-seat venue in Lawrence, Kansas.

Season Performance and Game Results

The 1985 season featured a mix of close wins and tough losses, with Kansas often competing within single-digit margins. The team opened the season with a win over Northern Illinois but suffered setbacks against ranked opponents and conference rivals.

• September 7: Northern Illinois (W 24–21): Kansas opened with a narrow victory, scoring 24 points behind a balanced offensive attack.
• September 14: at Oklahoma (L 17–31): The Jayhawks were outmatched by the #4 ranked Sooners, struggling on both offense and defense.
• September 21: at Washington State (L 17–24): Played in the Aloha Bowl Preview game, Kansas lost a close contest in Pullman, Washington.
• September 28: Kansas State (W 20–19): A key rivalry win, secured by a last-minute field goal in front of a home crowd.
• October 5: at Colorado (L 10–31): The Jayhawks were overwhelmed by Colorado’s rushing attack, allowing over 200 rushing yards.
• October 19: Iowa State (W 24–14): Kansas dominated defensively, forcing three turnovers and holding Iowa State to 14 points.
• October 26: at Missouri (L 14–24): Lost the annual Border War game, despite strong performances from sophomore running backs.
• November 2: Oklahoma State (W 20–17): Won in overtime (before official NCAA overtime rules), with a game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter.
• November 9: at Nebraska (L 10–42): Suffered a lopsided defeat to the #6 ranked Cornhuskers, highlighting defensive vulnerabilities.
• November 16: Texas (W 27–24): A late-season highlight, defeating Texas with a last-minute drive led by quarterback Mike Smith.
• November 23: at Kansas State (L 10–17): Lost the final game of the season to rival Kansas State, ending postseason hopes.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1985 season compared to recent years reveals trends in performance and competitiveness within the Big Eight Conference. The table below shows key metrics across three seasons.

From 1983 to 1987, Kansas experienced a decline in both scoring and defensive consistency. The 1985 team showed slight improvement over 1984 but failed to secure a winning record or bowl eligibility. The lack of postseason appearances during this era underscored the need for program overhaul.

Why It Matters

The 1985 season is a snapshot of a transitional period in Kansas football history, reflecting both the challenges and incremental progress under John Hadl. While not a standout year, it contributed to the broader narrative of rebuilding and eventual coaching changes that would shape the program’s future.

• Coaching transition: John Hadl resigned after the season, paving the way for Glen Mason to take over in 1986 and begin a new era.
• Player development: Several underclassmen gained valuable experience, including future starters who would contribute in the late 1980s.
• Recruiting impact: The team’s performance influenced recruiting, with Kansas needing to improve its reputation to attract top talent.
• Conference competitiveness: The Big Eight was highly competitive, and Kansas’ 3–4 record showed they could compete but lacked consistency.
• Historical context: The 1985 season was part of a seven-year bowl drought from 1982 to 1988, highlighting program struggles.
• Stadium legacy: Games at Memorial Stadium continued to draw loyal fans, maintaining support despite losing records.

Though the 1985 Kansas Jayhawks did not achieve major success, the season remains a piece of the program’s evolving story. It set the stage for future changes that would eventually lead to improved performance in the 1990s.