What Is 2007 Kansas Jayhawks football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2007 Kansas Jayhawks football team finished with a 12–1 record, winning the Orange Bowl over Virginia Tech and achieving a program-best No. 2 final AP ranking. Head coach Mark Mangino led the team to its first BCS bowl victory in school history.

Key Facts

Finished the season with a 12–1 record, the best in program history
Defeated Virginia Tech 24–21 in the 2008 Orange Bowl on January 1, 2008
Achieved a final AP Poll ranking of No. 2, the highest in school history
Won the Big 12 North Division with a 7–1 conference record
Quarterback Todd Reesing threw for 3,434 yards and 21 touchdowns

Overview

The 2007 Kansas Jayhawks football team marked one of the most successful seasons in University of Kansas history. Under head coach Mark Mangino, the team achieved unprecedented success, finishing with a 12–1 overall record and a victory in the FedEx Orange Bowl. This season represented a dramatic turnaround from decades of underperformance and placed Kansas among college football’s elite for the first time in modern memory.

The Jayhawks' rise was fueled by a balanced offense and a disciplined defense, led by quarterback Todd Reesing and linebacker Joe Mortimer. Their performance in the Big 12 Conference earned them a spot in the BCS bowl system, culminating in a thrilling Orange Bowl win over Virginia Tech. The season also elevated national recognition for the Kansas football program, which had long been overshadowed by its storied basketball team.

Record: The team finished with a 12–1 overall record, the best single-season win total in school history.
Orange Bowl: Kansas defeated Virginia Tech 24–21 in the 2008 Orange Bowl on January 1, 2008, securing its first BCS bowl victory.
Final Ranking: The Jayhawks finished No. 2 in the final AP Poll, surpassing their previous best of No. 6 in 1968.
Conference Play: Kansas won the Big 12 North Division with a 7–1 conference record, defeating rivals Missouri and Nebraska.
Coach: Mark Mangino, in his sixth season, was named Big 12 Coach of the Year and won the Bobby Dodd National Coach of the Year Award.

Season Highlights and Key Performances

The 2007 campaign featured several pivotal games that defined the Jayhawks' rise to national prominence. From a shocking early-season win over then-No. 20 UCLA to a dramatic victory in the Sunflower Showdown against Kansas State, the team demonstrated resilience and depth. Each game built momentum toward a historic bowl appearance and national ranking.

UCLA Game: Kansas upset No. 20 UCLA 20–17 in September, marking its first win over a ranked non-conference opponent since 1995.
Missouri Rivalry: The Jayhawks defeated Missouri 36–28 in November, securing the Governor’s Cup and a spot in the Big 12 Championship conversation.
Todd Reesing: The sophomore quarterback threw for 3,434 yards and 21 touchdowns, earning Big 12 Newcomer of the Year honors.
Defensive Unit: Kansas allowed just 19.8 points per game, a significant improvement from the 30.7 average in 2006.
BCS Berth: The 7–1 conference record and No. 8 national ranking earned Kansas an automatic BCS bid as the highest-ranked non-champion.

Comparison at a Glance

How the 2007 Jayhawks compare to other landmark seasons in program history:

Season	Record	Final Rank	Bowl Result	Key Player
2007	12–1	No. 2 (AP)	W 24–21 vs. Virginia Tech (Orange)	Todd Reesing
1968	9–2	No. 6 (AP)	W 33–19 vs. Arkansas (Bluebonnet)	Mike Livingston
1973	7–4	Unranked	L 28–17 vs. Tennessee (Liberty)	John Riggins
2008	8–5	Unranked	W 42–21 vs. ASU (Holiday)	Todd Reesing
1995	10–2	No. 7 (AP)	W 51–30 vs. UCLA (Cotton)	Todd Reesing

The 2007 season stands out not only for its win total and final ranking but also for its impact on the program’s trajectory. While the 1995 and 1968 teams had strong finishes, none reached a BCS bowl or achieved a top-two national ranking. The consistency and national exposure of the 2007 team elevated Kansas football to new heights, even if sustained success proved elusive in subsequent years.

Why It Matters

The 2007 season remains a landmark moment for Kansas athletics and college football underdogs. It demonstrated that a traditionally overlooked program could compete at the highest level with the right leadership and team cohesion. The success also brought significant financial and recruiting benefits to the university’s athletic department.

National Recognition: Kansas appeared in the AP Top 10 for the first time since 1969, peaking at No. 2 in December 2007.
Recruiting Boost: The Jayhawks signed a top-25 recruiting class in 2008, the best in school history at the time.
Financial Gain: The Orange Bowl appearance brought an estimated $15 million in revenue to the athletic department.
Legacy Impact: The season is still celebrated as the pinnacle of modern Kansas football history.
BCS Implications: The win highlighted flaws in the BCS selection system, sparking debate about access for non-power conference teams.
Program Momentum: Though the team regressed after 2008, the 2007 season laid groundwork for future investment in football facilities and coaching.

The 2007 Kansas Jayhawks football team redefined what was possible for a program long defined by mediocrity. Its success remains a benchmark for future generations of players and fans alike.