2020 Kansas Jayhawks football
ConferenceBig 12 Conference
Record0–9 (0–8 Big 12)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorBrent Dearmon (2nd season)
Defensive coordinatorD. J. Eliot (2nd season)
Home stadiumDavid Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium
Uniform
2020 Big 12 Conference football standings
ConfOverall
Team W L  W L 
No. 9 Iowa State y  8 1   9 3  
No. 6 Oklahoma y$  6 2   9 2  
No. 20 Oklahoma State  6 3   8 3  
No. 19 Texas  5 3   7 3  
TCU  5 4   6 4  
West Virginia  4 4   6 4  
Kansas State  4 5   4 6  
Texas Tech  3 6   4 6  
Baylor  2 7   2 7  
Kansas  0 8   0 9  
Championship: Oklahoma 27, Iowa State 21
  • $ Conference champion
  • y Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll.

The 2020 Kansas Jayhawks football team represented the University of Kansas as a member of Big 12 Conference during the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It was the Jayhawks 131st season. It was the second and final year under Les Miles. The team play home games at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kansas.

The Jayhawks began the season 0–4 and struggled statistically through the first four games, losing by an average of 20.5 point, while being outgained on offense on average 451.8 to 261.3 and having a turnover margin of –4. Through games on October 17, they were one of only two winless teams in the country that had played at least four games.

The Jayhawks finished winless for only the third time in school history and the second time since the 2015 season.

Offseason

Starters lost

Overall, the Jayhawks had 25 players run out of eligibility. Below are the starters from 2019 who have run out of eligibility.

Name Position
Hakeem AdenijiT
Jelani BrownDT
Daylon CharlotWR
Hasan DefenseCB
Azur KamaraLB
Mike LeeS
Clyde McCualley IIIG
Ben MilesFB
Darrius MoragneDE
Carter StanleyQB
Najee Stevens-McKenzieLB
Bryce TornedenS
Andru ToviC

Coaching staff changes

Name Position Replacement
Clint Bowen[1]SafetiesJordan Peterson[2]
Todd BradfordLinebackersD. J. Elliot*
Tony Hull[3]Running backsJonathan Wallace[4]
VacantSpecial teams
Outside linebackersChidera Uzo-Diribe
Luke Meadows†Offensive lineJohn Morookian

*Spent 2019 as defensive coordinator, will maintain that role along the other additional duties as linebackers coach
†Fired during the season

Recruiting

The Jayhawks have 26 commitments for their 2020 recruiting class. Below is the breakdown. In addition to their 26 recruited freshmen, the Jayhawks also have 13 walk-on freshmen. The only positions KU did not have any recruits for were running back, kicker, and punter.

Overall class ranking

Website Overall rank Conference rank 4 star recruits 3 star recruits
Rivals508019
247 Sports5710026

Positional breakdown

Position Number
WR6
TE2
QB1
OL5
LB3
DL2
DB4
ATH2

All information above is as of April 2, 2020

Left team during the season

Player Position
Pooka Williams Jr.RB
Dru ProxLB
Kyle ThompsonP

Big 12 media poll

The 2020 preseason poll was released on July 17, 2020. The Jayhawks were picked last for the 10th consecutive season, receiving 80 out of 90 possible last place votes.[5]

Big 12 media poll
Predicted finish Team Votes (1st place)
1Oklahoma888 (80)
2Oklahoma State742 (6)
3Texas727 (4)
4Iowa State607
5Baylor489
6TCU477
7Kansas State366
8West Virginia287
9Texas Tech267
10Kansas100

Schedule

COVID-19 impact

On June 20, 2020, the University of Kansas announced it had tested 86 football players and 110 staff members. Only one player tested positive and no staff members. One player tested positive for the antibody test, indicating the player had it in the past, but no longer had it.[6] On July 3, the team announced that another 11 players had tested positive and that they would be suspending in-person voluntary workouts.[7] Kansas was scheduled to play New Hampshire, but the game was canceled following the CAA’s decision to not play football during the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[8] Following the cancellation, KU athletic director Jeff Long said in a statement that they will look into finding an opponent to replace New Hampshire in the opening of the schedule.[9] On July 25, Kansas announced it had replaced the game with New Hampshire with a game on August 29 against Southern Illinois, but that game was later cancelled.[10] On July 29, their game against Boston College was also canceled.[11] On August 3, the Big 12 announced they would play a 10-game schedule that included all conference games and one non-conference game.[12] On August 12, the Big 12 announced the conference portion of the revised schedule. On August 31, the school announced that they will begin the season without fans in attendance, but did not specify how many games will be played without fans.[13] On September 24, Long announced a maximum of 10,000 fans would be allowed to attend through the month of October.[14] On October 8, head coach Les Miles announced that he had tested positive for COVID-19.[15] Because of his positive test, he did not coach the game against West Virginia.[16] A few days before the Jayhawks November 21 game against Texas, it was rescheduled for December 14, then it was cancelled altogether on December 10. In total, four of the Jayhawks games were cancelled due to COVID-19.

Season schedule

Every game listed below had a limited or no attendance due to COVID-19.

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
September 129:00 p.m.Coastal Carolina*
  • David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium
  • Lawrence, KS
FS1L 23–380*
September 266:30 p.m.at BaylorESPNUL 14–4711,667
October 32:30 p.m.No. 17 Oklahoma Statedagger
  • David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium
  • Lawrence, KS
ESPNL 7–479,480
October 1711:00 a.m.at West VirginiaFOXL 17–3810,759
October 2411:00 a.m.at No. 20 Kansas StateFS1L 14–5510,801
October 3111:00 a.m.No. 23 Iowa State
  • David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium
  • Lawrence, KS
FS1L 22–529,652
November 72:30 p.m.at No. 19 OklahomaESPNL 9–6222,700
November 287:00 p.m.TCU
  • David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium
  • Lawrence, KS
FS1L 23–590*
December 511:00 a.m.at Texas TechFS2L 13–169,877
Source:[17]

*No fans in attendance due to COVID-19[13]

Roster

2020 Kansas Jayhawks Football

Quarterback

  •  3 Miles Kendrick Junior
  •  7 Thomas MacVittie Senior
  • 13 Jordan Preston Redshirt Freshman
  • 14 Jordan Medley Freshman
  • 15 Miles Fallin Junior
  • 17 Jalon Daniels Freshman

Running back

  •  0 Velton Gardner Sophomore
  •  6 Jack Codwell Freshman
  • 12 Torry Locklin Redshirt Freshman
  • 20 Daniel Hishaw Jr. Freshman
  • 22 Rob Fiorentino Sophomore
  • 23 Amauri Pesek-Hickson Freshman
  • 25 Gayflor Flomo Junior
  • 29 Ben Miles FB Junior
  • 33 Spencer Roe FB Sophomore
  • 46 Sam Schroeder FB Junior
  • 47 Jared Casey FB Freshman

Wide receiver

  •  2 Lawrence Arnold Freshman
  •  4 Andrew Parchment Senior
  •  5 Stephon Robinson Jr. Senior
  •  8 Kwamie Lassiter II Senior
  • 10 Tristan Golightly Freshman
  • 11 Ezra Naylor II Senior
  • 16 Takulve Williams Junior
  • 18 Jordan Brown Freshman
  • 19 Steven McBride Freshman
  • 24 Malik Johnson Freshman
  • 27 Kyler Pearson Freshman
  • 36 Lawrence Shadd III Redshirt Freshman
  • 80 Luke Grimm Freshman
  • 81 Kameron McQueen Senior
  • 83 Quentin Skinner Freshman
  • 85 Hunter Kaufman Junior
  • 88 Jamahl Horne Sophomore

Tight end

  • 34 Will Huggins Freshman
  • 45 Trevor Kardell Freshman
  • 82 James Sosinski Redshirt Senior
  • 84 Jack Parks Sophomore
  • 86 Mac Copeland Sophomore
  • 87 Jack Luavasa Senior
  • 89 Mason Fairchild Sophomore
 

Offensive line

  • 55 Armaj Adams-Reed Freshman
  • 56 Ronaldo Sigers Freshman
  • 58 Api Mane Senior
  • 59 Jack Murphy Sophomore
  • 61 Malik Clark Senior
  • 62 Garrett Jones Freshman
  • 64 Jalan Robinson Sophomore
  • 66 Danny Robinson Freshman
  • 68 Earl Bostick Jr. Redshirt Junior
  • 69 Joe Krause Redshirt Freshman
  • 70 Nick Williams Sophomore
  • 71 Jacobi Lott Sophomore
  • 72 Adagio Lopeti Senior
  • 73 Jack Werner Redshirt Freshman
  • 74 Jackson Satterwhite Freshman
  • 76 Chris Hughes Senior
  • 77 Bryce Cabeldue Freshman
  • 78 Nicholas Martinez Freshman
  • 79 Joseph Gilbertson Junior

Defensive line

  • 38 Clinton Anokwuru Freshman
  • 50 Marcus Harris Redshirt Freshman
  • 51 Jack Stallard Redshirt Freshman
  • 53 Caleb Taylor Freshman
  • 90 Jereme Robinson Freshman
  • 91 Jelani Arnold Junior
  • 93 Sam Burt Senior
  • 95 DaJon Terry Redshirt Freshman
  • 96 Zack Biddison Junior
  • 97 Kenean Caldwell Freshman
  • 98 Caleb Sampson Junior
  • 99 Malcolm Lee Junior

Linebacker

  • 14 Steven Parker Redshirt Freshman
  • 15 Kyron Johnson Senior
  • 18 Denzel Feaster Senior
  • 19 Gavin Potter Sophomore
  • 23 Alonso Person Freshman
  • 28 Taiwan Berryhill Freshman
  • 30 Cooper Root Junior
  • 32 Dylan Downing Redshirt Freshman
  • 37 Hayden Hatcher Junior
  • 43 Jay Dineen Junior
  • 49 Krishawn Brown Freshman
 

Defensive back

  •  1 Kenny Logan Jr. CB Sophomore
  •  3 Ricky Thomas S Senior
  •  4 Elijah Jones CB Senior
  •  5 Gabe Garber S Freshman
  •  6 Valerian Agbaw Jr. CB Redshirt Freshman
  •  7 Davon Ferguson S Junior
  •  8 Kyle Mayberry CB Senior
  •  9 Karon Prunty CB Freshman
  • 10 Julian Chandler S Senior
  • 11 Johnquai Lewis CB Freshman
  • 13 Ra'Mello Dotson CB Freshman
  • 17 Corione Harris CB Junior
  • 20 Donovan Gaines CB Freshman
  • 22 Duece Mayberry CB Freshman
  • 25 David Carter CB Junior
  • 26 Cody McNerney S Sophomore
  • 34 Nate Betts S Redshirt Senior
  • 35 Nick Caudle S Junior
  • 39 Ryan Malbrough S Sophomore
  • 41 Nick Channel S Sophomore
  • 45 Tyler Stottle S Redshirt Freshman

Special teams

  • 24 Reis Vernon P Freshman
  • 44 Tabor Allen K Freshman
  • 46 Liam Jones K Senior
  • 57 Emory Duggar LS Freshman
  • 60 Luke Hosford LS Redshirt Freshman
  • 67 Logan Klusman LS Senior
  • 83 Jacob Borcila K Redshirt Freshman
  • 91 Cole Brungardt K Junior
  • 92 Donovan Gagen P/K Senior

Roster updated: September 12, 2020

Positional breakdown

Position Number
QB6
RB12
WR17
TE7
OL19
DL12
LB12
DB21
ST10
Total116

Breakdown by class

Class Number
Fr39
So16
Jr22
Sr39

Game summaries

Game lines listed below are subject to multiple changes leading up to the game. The line listed is the last available line. Lines are from Bovada.

Coastal Carolina

Coastal Carolina at Kansas
1 234Total
Chanticleers 14 14010 38
Jayhawks 0 3146 23
Pregame lineOver/under
–6 KU58.5
StatisticsCoastal
Carolina
Kansas
First downs1923
Total yards318367
Rushing yards185178
Passing yards133189
Turnovers03
Time of possession30:2529:35
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Coastal CarolinaPassingGrayson McCall11–18, 133 yards, 3 TD
RushingC. J. Marable21 carries, 75 yards
ReceivingJaivon Heiligh3 receptions, 74 yards, 1 TD
KansasPassingMiles Kendrick15–24, 156 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
RushingVelton Gardner11 carries, 81 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingKwamie Lassiter II5 receptions, 63 yards, 1 TD

The game was originally scheduled for September 26 at Brooks Stadium in Conway, South Carolina, but was moved to Lawrence. The Chanticleers began the game with a 28–0 run, shutting out Kansas until they kicked a field goal as time expired in the first half. The Jayhawks would outscore Coastal Carolina 20–10 in the second half, but the Chanticleers still held on to win the game.

At Baylor

Kansas at Baylor
1 234Total
Jayhawks 7 007 14
Bears 7 101416 47
  • Date: September 26, 2020
  • Location: McLane Stadium
    Waco, TX
  • Game start: 6:30 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3:33
  • Game attendance: 11,667 (limited due to COVID-19)
  • Game weather: 85 °F (29 °C) • Weather: Fair • Wind: SSE 5-10 MPH
  • Referee: Kevin Mar
  • TV announcers (ESPNU): Roy Philpott, Kelly Stouffer
Pregame lineOver/under
–17.5 BU61
StatisticsKansasBaylor
First downs2024
Total yards328352
Rushing yards169203
Passing yards159149
Turnovers00
Time of possession31:3028:30
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
KansasPassingJalon Daniels19–33, 159 yards
RushingPooka Williams Jr.14 carries, 76 yards, 2 TD
ReceivingKwamie Lassiter II6 receptions, 65 yards
BaylorPassingCharlie Brewer15–23, 142 yards, 1 TD
RushingJohn Lovett17 carries, 78 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingTrestan Ebner2 receptions, 53 yards, 1 TD

The Jayhawks scored 3 minutes and 31 minutes into the game on a 21-yard run by Pooka Williams Jr. After that, Baylor would score 40 unanswered points scoring 5 touchdowns, a field goal, and a safety, including a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown at the start of the second half. Williams added another touchdown late in the game, as did Baylor running back Craig Williams. The Jayhawks would lose 14–47, extending their Big 12 road conference losing streak to 46 games dating back to October 4, 2008, when the Jayhawks defeated Iowa State 35–33.

Oklahoma State

No. 17 Oklahoma State at Kansas
1 234Total
No. 17 Cowboys 10 21133 47
Jayhawks 0 007 7
Pregame lineOver/under
–21.5 OSU54.5
StatisticsOklahoma
State
Kansas
First downs3112
Total yards593193
Rushing yards295101
Passing yards29892
Turnovers01
Time of possession31:5428:06
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Oklahoma StatePassingShane Illingworth17–23, 265 yards, 3 TD
RushingChuba Hubbard20 carries, 145 yards, 2 TD
ReceivingTylan Wallace9 receptions, 148 yards, 2 TD
KansasPassingMiles Kendrick11–19, 90 yards, 1 INT
RushingDaniel Hishaw Jr.5 carries, 51 yards
ReceivingKwamie Lassiter II4 reception, 41 yards

The game featured two of the premier running backs in the Big 12, Pooka Williams Jr. of Kansas and Chuba Hubbard from Oklahoma State, who are both top 10 all-time in career rushing yards at their respective schools. Williams was held to a season low 32 yards rushing and a 2.2 yard average, while Hubbard ran for 145 yards and two touchdowns. The Jayhawks were dominated on both sides of the ball throughout the game as they were held to only 193 yards of total offense and allowed 593 yards on defense. The Jayhawks were shut out through the first three quarters of the game and didn't score until Oklahoma State had taken their starters out of the game. The loss extended the Jayhawks losing streak against teams ranked in the AP poll to 39 games.

At West Virginia

Kansas at West Virginia
1 234Total
Jayhawks 10 007 17
Mountaineers 7 10714 38
Pregame lineOver/under
–22 WVU51.5
StatisticsKansasWest
Virginia
First downs729
Total yards157544
Rushing yards62226
Passing yards95318
Turnovers22
Time of possession27:0532:55
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
KansasPassingMiles Kendrick14–23, 95 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
RushingVelton Gardner11 carries, 43 yards
ReceivingAndrew Parchment6 receptions, 65 yards, 1 TD
West VirginiaPassingJarret Doege26–44, 318 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
RushingLeddie Brown18 carries, 195 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingBryce Ford-Wheaton5 receptions, 89 yards, 1 TD

The team played the game without Les Miles due to his positive COVID-19 test.[16] Joshua Eargle served as the interim head coach for the game. The Jayhawks jumped ahead to an early 10–0 lead including forcing their first turnover of the season. The Mountaineers would score 38 unanswered points before the Jayhawks would score again. The loss extended the Jayhawks losing streak in road conference games to 51. Following the game, two-time first team All-Big 12 running back Pooka Williams Jr. opted out of the remainder of the season.

At Kansas State

Kansas at No. 20 Kansas State
1 234Total
Jayhawks 0 707 14
No. 20 Wildcats 7 27210 55
Pregame lineOver/under
–20 KSU53.5
StatisticsKansasKansas
State
First downs1817
Total yards320381
Rushing yards113129
Passing yards207252
Turnovers21
Time of possession30:4029:20
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
KansasPassingJalon Daniels22–39, 207 yards, 1 INT
RushingVelton Gardner16 carries 72 yards
ReceivingKwamie Lassiter II7 receptions, 58 yards
Kansas StatePassingWill Howard17–24, 243 yards, 2 touchdowns
RushingDeuce Vaughn11 carries, 71 yards, 1 touchdown
ReceivingDeuce Vaughn4 receptions, 81 yards

The Jayhawks began the game playing strong on defense holding K-State to no offensive touchdowns until late in the second quarter. However, due to poor special teams play and turnovers, they ended the 1st half down 7–34. They would eventually lose 14–55, extending multiple losing streaks: overall losing streak (9), AP ranked teams (39), road conference (52), and loses to K-State (12).

Iowa State

No. 23 Iowa State at Kansas
1 234Total
No. 23 Cyclones 13 71517 52
Jayhawks 0 778 22
  • Date: October 31, 2020
  • Location: David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium
    Lawrence, KS
  • Game start: 11:00 a.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3:25
  • Game attendance: 9,652 (limited due to COVID-19)
  • Game weather: 57 °F (14 °C) • Weather: Clear • Wind: SSW 21 MPH
  • Referee: Brad Van Vark
  • TV announcers (FS1): Eric Collins, Ben Leber
Pregame lineOver/under
–28 ISU55
StatisticsIowa
State
Kansas
First downs2615
Total yards552240
Rushing yards25873
Passing yards294167
Turnovers12
Time of possession31:1328:47
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Iowa StatePassingBrock Purdy23–34 239 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
RushingBreece Hall21 carries, 185 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingXavier Hutchinson5 receptions, 87 yards, 1 TD
KansasPassingJalon Daniels16–29, 165 yards, 1 INT
RushingJalon Daniels16 carries, 36 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 TD
ReceivingKwamie Lassiter II5 receptions, 66 yards

The Jayhawks struggled offensively yet again, with the majority of their offensive yards came from freshman quarterback Jalon Daniels, who accounted for 201 yards of the Jayhawks 240 yards. The struggles on offense led to defensive struggles as well as KU fell 22–55 extending their overall losing streak to 10 games and their losing streak against ranked teams to 40 games.

At Oklahoma

Kansas at Oklahoma
1 2Total
Jayhawks 0
No. 19 Sooners 0
Pregame lineOver/under
–38 OU64
StatisticsKansasOklahoma
First downs  
Total yards  
Rushing yards  
Passing yards  
Turnovers  
Time of possession  
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
KansasPassing  
Rushing  
Receiving  
OklahomaPassing  
Rushing  
Receiving  

TCU

TCU at Kansas
1 2Total
Horned Frogs 0
Jayhawks 0
Pregame lineOver/under
–24 TCU51.5
StatisticsTCUKansas
First downs  
Total yards  
Rushing yards  
Passing yards  
Turnovers  
Time of possession  
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
TCUPassing  
Rushing  
Receiving  
KansasPassing  
Rushing  
Receiving  

At Texas Tech

Kansas at Texas Tech
1 2Total
Jayhawks 0
Red Raiders 0
Pregame lineOver/under
–27.5 TTU62.5
StatisticsKansasTexas
Tech
First downs  
Total yards  
Rushing yards  
Passing yards  
Turnovers  
Time of possession  
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
KansasPassing  
Rushing  
Receiving  
Texas TechPassing  
Rushing  
Receiving  

Coaching staff

Name Position
Les MilesHead coach
Brent DearmonOffensive coordinator
D.J. EliotDefensive coordinator/linebackers
Chidera Uzo-DiribeOutside linebackers
Emmett JonesWide receivers/passing game coordinator
Joshua EargleTight ends/recruiting coordinator
Jonathan WallaceRunning backs/special teams
Chevis JacksonDefensive backs
Jordan PetersonSafeties
Kwahn DrakeDefensive line/defensive run game coordinator
John MorookianOffensive line
Ben IannachionneDirector of football strength & conditioning

References

  1. "Longtime KU assistant Clint Bowen leaves for North Texas". WIBW.com.
  2. "Jordan Peterson Added to Kansas Football Staff as Safeties Coach". KUAthletics.com.
  3. "Tony Hull hired as Rainbow Warriors football co-offensive coordinator". KHON2.com.
  4. "Jonathan Wallace Named Special Teams Coordinator and Running Backs Coach". KUAthletics.com.
  5. "Big 12 releases preseason poll ahead of 2020 season". KWCH.com.
  6. "Kansas Football COVID-19 Testing and Results Update". KUAthletics.com.
  7. "Kansas Football Voluntary Workouts Suspended". KUAthletics.com.
  8. "CAA's football season canceled by pandemic". ESPN.com. July 17, 2020. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  9. "Kansas Football Statement". KUAthletics.com.
  10. Kelley, Kevin (July 25, 2020). "Kansas to open 2020 season in Week Zero against Southern Illinois". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  11. "ACC Announces Plans for Football and Fall Olympic Sports". TheACC.com. July 29, 2020. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  12. "Sources: Big 12-approved scheduling model includes 9 conference games, 1 nonconference game". ESPN.com.
  13. 1 2 "Kansas will play games in fall sports including football without fans". ESPN.com.
  14. "An Update on Attendance at Kansas Athletics Events". KUAthletics.com.
  15. "Statements from Les Miles and Jeff Long". KUAthletics.com.
  16. 1 2 "Sources: Kansas Jayhawks coach Les Miles won't travel to West Virginia Mountaineers". ESPN.com.
  17. "2020 Kansas Jayhawks Football Schedule". KUAthletics.com. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
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