What Is 2021 Kansas Jayhawks football team

Overview

The 2021 Kansas Jayhawks football team marked the beginning of a new era under head coach Lance Leipold, who was hired in June 2021 to revive a struggling program. The team competed in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) as a member of the Big 12 Conference, playing their home games at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in Lawrence.

This season was the first of Leipold’s tenure, following the departure of former coach Les Miles. Kansas faced a challenging schedule and struggled to find consistency, ultimately finishing with a 2–10 record, their worst season since 2018. Despite the record, the team showed flashes of improvement compared to previous years, particularly on offense.

• First win under Leipold: The Jayhawks defeated South Dakota 38–17 in Week 2, marking their first victory since October 2020 and providing early hope for the new regime.
• Offensive performance: The team averaged 14.9 points per game, totaling 179 points across 12 games, ranking near the bottom nationally in scoring offense.
• Defensive struggles: Kansas allowed 435.6 yards per game, including 30.8 points per game, highlighting ongoing issues on that side of the ball.
• Big 12 record: The Jayhawks went 0–8 in conference play, losing to ranked teams like Oklahoma and Oklahoma State by an average of 30 points.
• Home field: All home games were played at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, which has a capacity of 50,071 and has hosted Jayhawks football since 1921.

Performance Breakdown

The 2021 season revealed both progress and persistent challenges for the Kansas football program. While the team showed improved discipline and effort under Leipold, talent gaps and inexperience hindered competitiveness against top-tier Big 12 opponents.

• Season opener: Lost 40–17 to Missouri in the Border Showdown, a non-conference rivalry game that set a tough tone for the season.
• Quarterback play: Jalon Daniels and Jason Bean split time, with Daniels throwing for 1,418 yards and 6 touchdowns before injury.
• Rushing attack: The Jayhawks averaged 129.8 rushing yards per game, led by Devin Neal, who rushed for 749 yards as a freshman.
• Turnover margin: Finished with a -6 turnover margin, losing the ball 16 times compared to forcing only 10 takeaways.
• Special teams: Punter Michael Bertini averaged 43.1 yards per punt, one of the few bright spots in a difficult season.
• Injuries: Key players like Daniels and cornerback Cobee Bryant missed multiple games, impacting overall performance and depth.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2021 Jayhawks are best understood in comparison to recent seasons and conference peers. The table below highlights key statistical differences.

The 2021 team scored fewer points than 2020 and 2019 but allowed fewer than 2017. While the Big 12 record remained poor, the defensive improvements under new coordinator Brian Borland were marginal. The continued 0–8 conference mark emphasized the gap between Kansas and elite programs like Baylor and Oklahoma.

Why It Matters

The 2021 season was a transitional year with long-term implications for Kansas football. Though the record was disappointing, it laid the foundation for future rebuilding under a new coaching staff committed to cultural and structural change.

• Coaching shift: Lance Leipold brought a proven rebuild model from Wisconsin–Whitewater, where he won six D-III national titles.
• Recruiting focus: The 2022 class emphasized speed and athleticism, aiming to close the talent gap in the Big 12.
• Program morale: Despite losses, fan engagement increased, and attendance rose 12% over 2020, signaling renewed interest.
• Player development: Young players like Devin Neal and Cobee Bryant gained critical experience, becoming future cornerstones.
• Conference parity: Even with struggles, Kansas remained competitive in non-conference games, showing potential for future wins.
• Long-term vision: The athletic department committed to facility upgrades and staff expansion to support Leipold’s multi-year plan.

The 2021 season was not about wins but about setting a new direction. While the record reflected past challenges, the foundation laid that year would influence Kansas football for years to come.