| Year: | 1942 |
| Team: | Kansas Jayhawks |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Big Six Conference |
| Short Conf: | Big 6 |
| Record: | 2–8 |
| Conf Record: | 1–4 |
| Head Coach: | Gwinn Henry |
| Hc Year: | 4th |
| Captain: | None |
| Stadium: | Memorial Stadium |
The 1942 Kansas Jayhawks football team represented the University of Kansas in the Big Six Conference during the 1942 college football season. In their fourth and final season under head coach Gwinn Henry, the Jayhawks compiled a 2–8 record (1–4 against conference opponents), tied for fifth place in the conference, and were outscored by opponents by a combined total of 248 to 77.[1] [2] They played their home games at Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kansas.
The team's statistical leaders included Ray Evans with 293 rushing yards and 1,117 passing yards, Otto Schnellbacher with 366 receiving yards, and Ed Lindquist with 24 points scored (four touchdowns).[3] No team captain was elected in 1942.[2] Two players on the team would later become more well-known for accomplishments other than their playing careers. End Bob Dole would later go on to a lengthy political career and quarterback Bud Adams would later become a businessman and NFL owner.
Kansas was ranked at No. 131 (out of 590 college and military teams) in the final rankings under the Litkenhous Difference by Score System for 1942.[4]