If you were looking for a fairytale ending to the 2025 Kansas Jayhawks football season, the scoreboard at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on November 28 had other plans. It was cold. It was loud. And honestly, it was a bit of a heartbreaker for the Lawrence faithful who showed up hoping for a bowl-clinching miracle.
The score of Kansas University football game against the No. 13 Utah Utes ended in a 31-21 loss for the Jayhawks.
That 10-point gap might not look like a blowout on paper, but it effectively slammed the door on any postseason dreams. Kansas finished the year with a 5-7 record. If that feels like deja vu, it’s because it basically is; the Jayhawks hit that same 5-7 mark in 2024. For a program that finally tasted a winning season and a bowl victory recently, sitting at home during the holidays feels like a massive step backward.
Breaking Down the 31-21 Utah Loss
The game against Utah was sort of a microcosm of the entire 2025 season. Kansas showed flashes of being a legitimate Big 12 threat, then they'd just... stall.
Jalon Daniels, playing in what turned out to be his final game in a Jayhawk uniform, tried to put the team on his back. He’s been the face of this resurgence, but the Utah defense is a different kind of beast. They’re physical, they’re disciplined, and they’ve got that "Kyle Whittingham" grit that makes every yard feel like a marathon.
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- First Half Struggles: KU actually kept it tight early on, but Utah’s ability to sustain long, soul-crushing drives wore down the Jayhawk defense.
- The Run Game: While Kansas found some success on the ground, they couldn't convert in the red zone when it mattered most.
- Third Down Woes: You can't beat a top-15 team when you’re consistently facing 3rd and long. Utah lived in the backfield.
Why the 2025 Season Felt Different (In a Bad Way)
Expectations are a double-edged sword. A few years ago, a 5-7 season would have been celebrated in Lawrence. Now? It feels like a failure.
Lance Leipold has done wonders, but 2025 was supposed to be the "leap" year. Instead, the Jayhawks suffered from a plague of one-score losses and inconsistent play. They started 3-1, with the only early blemish being a tough 42-31 loss to Missouri in the Border Showdown. People were hyped. Then the wheels kinda came off.
A 37-34 loss to Cincinnati at home was the moment things started feeling shaky. You've got to win those games if you want to be a player in the new-look Big 12. Following that up with blowout losses to Texas Tech and Kansas State (both 42-17) essentially broke the momentum. By the time they hit the Utah game, the margin for error was gone.
What’s Next for Kansas Football in 2026?
The 2025 score of Kansas University football game finale is in the books, but the offseason has been anything but quiet.
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If you’re a Jayhawk fan, you’re currently tracking the transfer portal like a hawk. Literally. More than 20 players have left the program since the Utah game. That sounds scary, but it’s the new reality of college football.
The Quarterback Battle
With Jalon Daniels gone, the keys to the offense are up for grabs.
- Cole Ballard: He’s been the reliable backup for two seasons. He’s got the experience, but is he the "guy" to take them to a Big 12 title?
- Isaiah Marshall: The youngster has serious wheels. We saw him used in designed run packages throughout 2025, and he averaged over 10 yards a carry in limited action.
Coaching Changes and Portal Wins
In a massive move, Lance Leipold brought back Andy Kotelnicki as Associate Head Coach. Fans are ecstatic about this. Kotelnicki’s creative offensive schemes were a huge part of KU's initial turnaround, and having him back in the building feels like a stabilizing force.
The team has also been aggressive in the portal to fix the defense. Landing Corey Gordon, a safety from Louisville/Baylor, is a huge get. They also picked up Kasen Carpenter to help an offensive line that got bullied a bit too much in the latter half of 2025.
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Key Returning Talent
It's not all departures. Several key players have "locked in" for 2026:
- Cam Pickett: The slot receiver is coming back after a 45-catch season.
- Leroy Harris III: The breakout pass rusher who led the team in sacks as a sophomore.
- Keaton Kubecka: A reliable target who should see a much larger role next year.
Actionable Insights for Jayhawk Fans
Don't let the 31-21 score of the last game ruin your outlook. The program is in a "reload" phase, not a "rebuild."
Follow the Portal: Keep a close eye on the defensive line additions. KU lost several veteran interior linemen like Tommy Dunn Jr. and D.J. Withers. If they don't find beef in the portal, 2026 will be another long year.
Spring Game Focus: When the spring game rolls around, watch the chemistry between Cole Ballard and the new transfer receivers like Nik McMillan. That connection will define the early part of next season.
Schedule Reality: The 2026 schedule is already looking tough. With the Big 12 expanding and shifting, there are no "gimme" games anymore. Kansas needs to find a way to win the close ones—the 1-5 record in one-score games over the last two years is the specific stat that needs to change.
The 2025 season might have ended with a whimper against Utah, but the foundational pieces—and the return of key coaches—suggest that Lawrence isn't done being a football town just yet.