| Year: | 2021 |
| Team: | Kansas Jayhawks |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Big 12 Conference |
| Short Conf: | Big 12 |
| Record: | 2–10 |
| Conf Record: | 1–8 |
| Head Coach: | Lance Leipold |
| Hc Year: | 1st |
| Off Coach: | Andy Kotelnicki |
| Oc Year: | 1st |
| Def Coach: | Brian Borland |
| Dc Year: | 1st |
| Stadium: | David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium |
The 2021 Kansas Jayhawks football team represented the University of Kansas in the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It was the Jayhawks 132nd season. They were members of the Big 12 Conference. They played their home games at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. They were coached by Lance Leipold in his first year as head coach.[1]
The Jayhawks entered the season with multiple losing streaks: 41 games to AP ranked teams, 54 road conference games, twelve conference games, and an overall losing streak of thirteen. Only one of the streaks would still be standing by the end of the season. They would end their thirteen game overall losing streak with their victory over South Dakota on September 3, 2021.[2] Their victory over Texas on November 13 ended several more losing streaks: 8 straight overall losses, 18 straight within the Big 12, 20 straight to FBS opponents, and 56 straight in road conference games. They lost all their games against AP poll ranked teams during the season extending the streak to 44 games. The Jayhawks also failed to qualify for a bowl game for the 13th consecutive season, dating back to the 2008 season. They finished last in the Big 12 for the 7th consecutive season.
On March 5, 2021, head coach Les Miles, was placed on administrative leave following allegations of inappropriate comments and actions with female students while the head coach at LSU.[3] Kansas and Miles agreed to mutually part ways on March 8, 2021.[4] Wide receivers coach Emmett Jones served as interim coach from March 11 through the team's spring practices at the end of April.[5] On April 30, Lance Leipold was hired as the head coach.
Overall, the Jayhawks had 17 players run out of eligibility. Below are the starters from 2020 who have run out of eligibility.
| Elijah Jones | CB | |
| Logan Klusman | LS |
Including new head coach Lance Leipold, the Jayhawks will have five new coaches on their coaching staff replacing five coaches, which includes filling one position that was officially vacant the previous season.[6]
| Offensive coordinator | Andy Kotelnicki | ||
| Tight ends | |||
| John Morookian | Offensive line | Scott Fuchs | |
| Linebackers | Chris Sampson | ||
| Vacant | Special teams coordinator | Jake Schoonover |
The Jayhawks have 22 commitments for their 2021 recruiting class. Below is the breakdown. The only positions KU did not have any recruits for were kicker and punter.
| Rivals | 45 | 5 | 1* | 21 | |
| 247 Sports | 63 | 9 | 0 | 20 |
| WR | 3 | |
| RB | 1 | |
| TE | 1 | |
| QB | 2 | |
| OL | 3 | |
| LB | 2 | |
| DL | 3 | |
| DB | 5 | |
| ATH | 2 |
Only notable transfers are listed below. Kansas had 27 players transfer out and 13 transfer in.
| Colin Grunhard | C | Notre Dame | |
| Kevin Terry | WR | Texas Tech | |
| QB | North Texas | ||
| C | Buffalo | ||
| Jeremy Webb | CB | Missouri State |
| Andrew Parchment | WR | Florida State | |
| Kyle Thompson | P | N/A* | |
| Karon Prunty | CB | North Carolina A&T | |
| DT | Auburn |
See main article: 2021 NFL draft.
| RB |
| Velton Gardner | RB |
The 2021 media poll was released on July 8, 2021. The Jayhawks were picked last for the 11th consecutive season receiving all 39 potential last place votes.[7]
| Big 12 media poll | |||
| 1 | Oklahoma | 386 (35) | |
| 2 | Iowa State | 351 (4) | |
| 3 | Texas | 273 | |
| 4 | Oklahoma State | 266 | |
| 5 | TCU | 255 | |
| 6 | West Virginia | 185 | |
| 7 | Kansas State | 163 | |
| 8 | Baylor | 124 | |
| 9 | Texas Tech | 103 | |
| 10 | Kansas | 39 | |
Source:[8]
| Head coach | ||
| Offensive coordinator/tight ends | ||
| Defensive coordinator/safeties | ||
| Jake Schoonover | Special teams coordinator | |
| Wide receivers | ||
| Quarterbacks | ||
| Jonathan Wallace | Running backs | |
| Jordan Peterson | Cornerbacks | |
| Taiwo Onatolu | Defensive line | |
| Scott Fuchs | Offensive line | |
| Offensive quality control | ||
| Chris Sampson | Linebackers |
See also: 2021 South Dakota Coyotes football team.
| Statistics | SDU | KU |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 14 | 12 |
| Total yards | 262 | 245 |
| Rush yards | 164 | 82 |
| Passing yards | 98 | 163 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 25:52 | 34:08 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | Passing | Carson Camp | 10/22, 98 yards |
| Rushing | Travis Theis | 18 carries, 96 yards | |
| Receiving | 2 receptions, 37 yards | ||
| Kansas | Passing | 17/26, 163 yards, 2 TD | |
| Rushing | Jason Bean | 15 carries, 54 yards | |
| Receiving | 4 receptions, 58 yards |
In the first game of the Lance Leipold era, the Jayhawks played South Dakota. The Jayhawks would score a touchdown first in the second quarter with a 8-yard pass by Jason Bean, a transfer from North Texas. After halftime, Kansas would take a 10–0 lead after a 30-yard field goal by Jacob Borcila. South Dakota would score two touchdowns to take their first lead with 5 minutes and 13 seconds left in the game. Kansas would then answer that touchdown with their own touchdown after Bean's second passing touchdown of the game with 1 minute and 3 seconds left. South Dakota would turn the ball over on downs after the kickoff to give the Jayhawks their first win since October 26, 2019, breaking a 13-game losing streak.
See also: 2021 Coastal Carolina Chanticleers football team.
| Statistics | KU | CCU |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 16 | 27 |
| Total yards | 412 | 460 |
| Rush yards | 174 | 215 |
| Passing yards | 238 | 245 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 30:49 | 29:11 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas | Passing | Jason Bean | 12/24 189 yards |
| Rushing | Jason Bean | 13 carries 102 yards 2 TD | |
| Receiving | 7 receptions 85 yards | ||
| Coastal Carolina | Passing | 17/21 245 yards 2 TD | |
| Rushing | Reese White | 14 carries 102 yards 3 TD | |
| Receiving | 6 receptions 122 yards 1 TD |
Kansas would strike first kicking with a 46-yard field goal in their first road game of the season. Coastal Carolina would respond with a touchdown on the following drive to take the lead, only for the Jayhawks to take the lead back 9–7. They would not hold a lead for the rest of the game as Coastal Carolina would outscore the Jayhawks 42–13 the rest of the game. The loss extended the Jayhawks losing streak to teams ranked in the AP poll to 42 games.
See also: 2021 Baylor Bears football team.
| Statistics | BU | KU |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 29 | 8 |
| Total yards | 576 | 166 |
| Rush yards | 307 | 109 |
| Passing yards | 269 | 57 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 33:22 | 26:38 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baylor | Passing | 19/23, 269 yards, 2 TD | |
| Rushing | 16 carries, 122 yards, 1 TD | ||
| Receiving | R.J. Sneed | 6 receptions, 128 yards, 1 TD | |
| Kansas | Passing | Jason Bean | 8/17, 57 yards, 1 TD |
| Rushing | Jason Bean | 12 carries, 62 yards | |
| Receiving | 2 receptions, 25 yards |
In the Jayhawks Big 12 opener, they struggled to keep up with Baylor being outgained by Baylor 576–166. Jason Bean also had his fewest passing yards of the season to that point in the game with only 57, but was still the Jayhawks leading rusher. The Jayhawks lost the game after never leading at any point 7–45. The loss was the Jayhawks' 15th consecutive loss to FBS opponents and their 13th consecutive loss in the Big 12.
See also: 2021 Duke Blue Devils football team.
| Statistics | KU | DUK |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 21 | 27 |
| Total yards | 530 | 607 |
| Rush yards | 207 | 279 |
| Passing yards | 323 | 328 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 30:43 | 29:17 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas | Passing | Jason Bean | 19/32, 323 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT |
| Rushing | Devin Neal | 17 carries, 107 yards, 1 TD | |
| Receiving | Kwamie Lassiter II | 4 receptions, 99 yards, 1 TD | |
| Duke | Passing | Gunnar Holmberg | 22/29, 328 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Rushing | 21 carries, 124 yards, 1 TD | ||
| Receiving | 7 receptions, 105 yards |
The first half featured a back and forth game. The entire second quarter, the teams traded touchdowns. The Jayhawks went into halftime with a 24–21 lead. Duke would begin to pull away in the second half, however. The Blue Devils finished the game on a 31–9 run to win the game 52–33. The game was the Jayhawks most points scored and the most yards they put up in the season to that point. Kansas quarterback Jason Bean set a career high with 323 yards, but also threw two interceptions. His first interception was the first he had thrown in the season. The loss extended the Jayhawks losing streak to FBS teams to 16.
See also: 2021 Iowa State Cyclones football team.
| Statistics | KU | ISU |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 18 | 25 |
| Total yards | 302 | 504 |
| Rush yards | 175 | 290 |
| Passing yards | 127 | 274 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 33:15 | 26:45 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas | Passing | Jason Bean | 10/20 120 yards 1 INT |
| Rushing | Devin Neal | 15 carries 83 yards | |
| Receiving | Trevor Wilson | 3 receptions 55 yards | |
| Iowa State | Passing | 17/22 245 yards 4 TD | |
| Rushing | 17 carries 123 yards 2 TD | ||
| Receiving | 7 receptions 96 yards 1 TD |
The Jayhawks began the game making early mistakes, two costly turnovers and missed field goal. The turnovers were a lost fumble on a run by quarterback Jason Bean and an interception in the redzone. Both turnovers and the missed field goal led to touchdowns from Iowa State. The Jayhawks would go into halftime with a 38–0 deficit. They would score first in the second half, but that would be followed by 21 unanswered points by Iowa State. The loss increased the Jayhawks road conference losing streak to 55 games.
See also: 2021 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team.
| Statistics | TTU | KU |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 22 | 17 |
| Total yards | 438 | 273 |
| Rush yards | 244 | 145 |
| Passing yards | 194 | 128 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 30:14 | 29:46 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas Tech | Passing | 14/20 124 yards 1 TD 1 INT | |
| Rushing | 13 carries 83 yards | ||
| Receiving | 5 receptions 76 yards | ||
| Kansas | Passing | Jason Bean | 11/21 80 yards 1 INT |
| Rushing | Devin Neal | 15 carries 54 yards | |
| Receiving | Luke Grimm | 3 receptions 33 yards 1 TD |
The Jayhawks were dominated throughout most of the game, including trailing at halftime 24–0. Texas Tech would eventually score 41 unanswered points through 59 minutes of gametime. The Jayhawks wouldn't score until there were 52 seconds left in the game. They would score again with 5 seconds left to make the final score 41–14. The game extended the Jayhawks conference losing streak to 15 games and their losing streak against FBS opponents to 18 games.
See also: 2021 Oklahoma Sooners football team.
| Statistics | OU | KU |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 18 | 23 |
| Total yards | 398 | 412 |
| Rush yards | 220 | 166 |
| Passing yards | 178 | 246 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 24:30 | 35:30 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma | Passing | 15/20 178 yards 2 TD 1 INT | |
| Rushing | 24 carries 79 yards | ||
| Receiving | 3 receptions 42 yards | ||
| Kansas | Passing | Jason Bean | 17/23 246 yards 1 TD |
| Rushing | Devin Neal | 23 carries 100 yards 2 TD | |
| Receiving | Kwamie Lassiter II | 7 receptions 101 yards |
See also: 2021 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team.
| Statistics | KU | OSU |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 7 | 31 |
| Total yards | 143 | 535 |
| Rush yards | 99 | 292 |
| Passing yards | 44 | 243 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 28:52 | 31:08 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas | Passing | Miles Kendrick | 6/8 35 yards 1 INT |
| Rushing | Miles Kendrick | 8 carries 29 yards | |
| Receiving | Kwamie Lassiter II | 2 receptions 11 yards | |
| Oklahoma State | Passing | 12/19 157 yards 2 TD | |
| Rushing | Dominic Richardson | 11 carries 79 yards 1 TD | |
| Receiving | 5 receptions 84 yards 1 TD |
The Jayhawks were dominated in the first half. They went into halftime down 38–0. They also failed to earn a first down in the first half, while allowing 21 first downs. They were outgained 331–49. The Cowboys had their backup quarterback in by the end of the first half. The Jayhawks would lose 55–3, tying their worse loss of the season. The loss extended the Jayhawks losing streak to teams ranked in the AP poll to 44 games. The loss also extended the Jayhawks conference losing streak to 17 games and their losing streak against FBS opponents to 20 games. The loss also made the Jayhawks ineligible for a bowl game for the 13th consecutive season.
See also: 2021 Kansas State Wildcats football team and Sunflower Showdown.
| Statistics | KSU | KU |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 22 | 15 |
| Total yards | 499 | 274 |
| Rush yards | 242 | 88 |
| Passing yards | 257 | 186 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 31:38 | 28:22 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas State | Passing | 19/24 244 yards 1 TD | |
| Rushing | 11 carries 162 yards 3 TD | ||
| Receiving | 3 receptions 94 yards 1 TD | ||
| Kansas | Passing | 13/19 105 yards 1 TD | |
| Rushing | Devin Neal | 19 carries 62 yards | |
| Receiving | Kwamie Lassiter II | 6 receptions 82 yards 1 TD |
See also: 2021 Texas Longhorns football team.
| Statistics | KU | UT |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 22 | 30 |
| Total yards | 420 | 574 |
| Rush yards | 218 | 164 |
| Passing yards | 202 | 410 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 4 |
| Time of possession | 35:18 | 24:42 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas | Passing | Jalon Daniels | 21/30 202 yards 3 TD |
| Rushing | Devin Neal | 24 carries 143 yards 3 TD | |
| Receiving | Kwamie Lassiter II | 8 receptions 68 yards TD | |
| Texas | Passing | 30/43 358 yards 6 TD 1 INT | |
| Rushing | 14 carries 70 yards | ||
| Receiving | 14 receptions 152 yards 3 TD |
The Jayhawks jumped out to a 14–0 lead in the game, only for Texas to score 14 unanswered points to the tie game. Kansas would then score three touchdowns in 1:25 of game time to make the score 35–14 at halftime. Texas would outscore the Jayhawks 35–14 in the second half to send the game into overtime. The Longhorns would score in three plays on their first possession, but a unsportsmanlike conduct penalty would give the Jayhawks a short field to start their possession. A two yard run from Devin Neal made the score 56–55 Texas. Kansas coach Lance Leipold would take the risky play and go for the two point conversion. The risk would prove successful as Jared Casey would catch the pass in the end zone giving KU the win 57–56. The win ended multiple losing streaks for Kansas: 8 straight overall losses, 18 straight within the Big 12, 20 straight to FBS opponents, and 56 straight in road conference games. The win was also the Jayhawks first ever victory in Austin and only their 4th all-time victory against Texas. The Jayhawks last defeated the Longhorns in 2016, however, prior to that, they hadn't defeated Texas since 1938.
See also: 2021 TCU Horned Frogs football team.
| Statistics | KU | TCU |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 21 | 19 |
| Total yards | 379 | 492 |
| Rush yards | 124 | 326 |
| Passing yards | 255 | 166 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 29:49 | 30:11 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas | Passing | Jalon Daniels | 22/30 255 yards 2 TD 1 INT |
| Rushing | Devin Neal | 14 carries 59 yards 1 TD | |
| Receiving | Kwamie Lassiter II | 8 receptions 101 yards | |
| TCU | Passing | Max Duggan | 10/16 166 yards 1 INT |
| Rushing | 12 carries 112 yards 1 TD | ||
| Receiving | 6 receptions 103 yards |
See also: 2021 West Virginia Mountaineers football team.
| Statistics | WVU | KU |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 15 | 23 |
| Total yards | 436 | 336 |
| Rush yards | 261 | 87 |
| Passing yards | 175 | 249 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 32:28 | 26:37 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | Passing | 16/21 170 yards 3 TD 1 INT | |
| Rushing | 19 carries 156 yards 1 TD | ||
| Receiving | 5 receptions 87 yards | ||
| Kansas | Passing | Jalon Daniels | 22/32 249 yards 1 TD 2 INT |
| Rushing | Amauri Pesek-Hickson | 12 carries 69 yards | |
| Receiving | Luke Grimm | 4 receptions 105 yards |
The Jayhawks would strike first on senior night with a field goal. However, this would be the only time Kansas would lead in the game. West Virginia scored a touchdown in the first quarter to take the lead. Kansas responded with a field goal. West Virginia and Kansas would trade touchdowns afterwards. The Mountaineers would take a 21–13 lead to halftime. Kansas would score first in the second half with an interception returned for a touchdown. West Virginia would score a touchdown and two field goals to take a 34–21 lead. The Jayhawks would score a late touchdown but it would be too late as they would lose 34–28.