If you're hunting for the score of the kansas football game, you probably noticed things feel a little quiet around Lawrence lately. That’s because the Jayhawks’ 2025 campaign wrapped up on a chilly Friday afternoon in late November, and honestly, it didn't end with the fireworks fans were hoping for. The final whistle of the season blew at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on November 28, 2025, with Kansas falling to Utah 31-21.
It was a tough pill to swallow.
Walking off the field that day, the team knew they were sitting at 5-7. In the world of college football, that’s the "danger zone"—one win shy of guaranteed bowl eligibility. While there was some chatter about the Jayhawks potentially sneaking into a bowl game due to a shortage of six-win teams, the school ultimately declined a bowl bid in early December. Basically, the 2025 season is officially in the books.
Breaking down the score of the Kansas football game against Utah
The season finale against Utah was a microcosm of the entire year: flashes of brilliance followed by gut-wrenching mistakes. Kansas actually held a 14-10 lead going into the fourth quarter. You could feel the energy in the stadium; people really thought they were going to pull it off and hit that sixth win.
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Then the wheels came off.
Utah’s defense stepped up, and a couple of late interceptions by Jalon Daniels turned the tide. Despite a late touchdown pass to Leyton Cure that cut the lead to 24-21, Utah hammered in one last score to seal the deal. It wasn't just a loss; it was the end of a postseason dream.
2025 Kansas Football Results at a Glance
If you missed the middle of the season, here is how the path to 5-7 actually looked. It wasn't all bad, but the "almosts" really define this roster.
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- The High Point: A dominant 41-10 win over West Virginia to open Big 12 play. Jalon Daniels looked like an All-American that night.
- The Heartbreaker: A 37-34 loss to Cincinnati where the Bearcats scored the winning touchdown with only 29 seconds left.
- The Rivalry Stinger: The Border Showdown against Missouri ended in a 42-31 loss. Kansas led 21-6 early but just couldn't hold off the Tigers’ second-half surge.
- The Big Win: Knocking off Oklahoma State 38-21 in November gave everyone hope that a bowl game was still on the table.
Why the 5-7 record feels so different this time
Usually, five wins at Kansas would be celebrated. But Lance Leipold has raised the floor. After back-to-back bowl appearances in 2022 and 2023, 2025 felt like a step back.
Why did they struggle? Injuries played a part, sure, but the ground game was surprisingly inconsistent despite Leshon Williams having a massive 100-yard performance against West Virginia. The defense also had a "bend and then eventually break" tendency, especially in late-game situations like the Arizona and Cincinnati matchups.
The real kicker was the APR (Academic Progress Rate) situation. Usually, if there aren't enough 6-win teams, 5-7 teams get picked based on their academic scores. Kansas was down the list this year. Even when a spot in the Birmingham Bowl potentially opened up, the program decided it was better to hit the recruiting trail and the transfer portal rather than play a postseason game they hadn't "earned" on the field.
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Looking ahead to the 2026 schedule
Since there is no score of the kansas football game to check for today, we have to look toward September 2026. The Jayhawks are slated to open against LIU on September 5th.
The big one on the calendar? Missouri comes to Lawrence on September 12, 2026. That game is already circled in red by every fan in the state. There’s also talk of a "Union Jack Classic" in London against Arizona State later in the year, which would be a massive stage for the program.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're looking to stay plugged in during the off-season, here is what you should actually be watching:
- Monitor the Transfer Portal: With the season over, Leipold and his staff are looking for immediate help on the defensive line. Expect some movement here before spring ball.
- Spring Game Dates: Keep an eye out for the late April practice schedule. It'll be the first look at the new-look offense without some of the departing seniors.
- Basketball Season: Let’s be real—it’s January in Lawrence. The focus has shifted to Allen Fieldhouse. The basketball team just knocked off No. 2 Iowa State 84-63, so if you need a winning score to cheer about, that’s where the action is right now.
The 2025 football season was a rollercoaster that ended in a dip, but the foundation in Lawrence hasn't crumbled yet. It's just a long wait until the next kickoff.