2020 Kansas Jayhawks football team explained

Year:2020
Team:Kansas Jayhawks
Sport:football
Conference:Big 12 Conference
Short Conf:Big 12
Record:0–9
Conf Record:0–8
Head Coach:Les Miles
Hc Year:2nd
Off Coach:Brent Dearmon
Oc Year:2nd
Def Coach:D. J. Eliot
Dc Year:2nd
Stadium:David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium

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.

T
Jelani Brown DT
Daylon Charlot WR
Hasan Defense CB
LB
Mike Lee S
Clyde McCualley III G
Ben Miles FB
Darrius Moragne DE
Carter Stanley QB
Najee Stevens-McKenzie LB
Bryce Torneden S
Andru Tovi C

Coaching staff changes

Clint Bowen[1] Safeties Jordan Peterson[2]
Todd Bradford Linebackers D. J. Elliot*
Tony Hull[3] Running backs Jonathan Wallace[4]
Vacant Special teams
Outside linebackers Chidera Uzo-Diribe
Luke Meadows† Offensive line John Morookian

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

Rivals 50 8 0 19
247 Sports 57 10 0 26

Positional breakdown

WR 6
TE 2
QB 1
OL 5
LB 3
DL 2
DB 4
ATH 2

Left team during the season

RB
Dru Prox LB
Kyle Thompson P

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
1 Oklahoma 888 (80)
2 Oklahoma State 742 (6)
3 Texas 727 (4)
4 Iowa State 607
5 Baylor 489
6 TCU 477
7 Kansas State 366
8 West Virginia 287
9 Texas Tech 267
10 Kansas 100

Schedule

COVID-19 impact

See main article: Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports.

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.

Source:[17]

Roster

Positional breakdown

QB 6
RB 12
WR 17
TE 7
OL 19
DL 12
LB 12
DB 21
ST 10
Total 116

Breakdown by class

39
16
22
39

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

See also: 2020 Coastal Carolina Chanticleers football team.

style=Pregame line!style=Over/under
–6 KU 58.5
Statistics Coastal
Carolina
Kansas
First downs 19 23
Total yards 318 367
Rushing yards 185 178
Passing yards 133 189
Turnovers 0 3
Time of possession 30:25 29:35
Team Category Player Statistics
Coastal Carolina Passing 11–18, 133 yards, 3 TD
Rushing 21 carries, 75 yards
Receiving 3 receptions, 74 yards, 1 TD
Kansas Passing Miles Kendrick 15–24, 156 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Velton Gardner 11 carries, 81 yards, 1 TD
Receiving 5 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

See also: 2020 Baylor Bears football team.

style=Pregame line!style=Over/under
–17.5 BU 61
Statistics KansasBaylor
First downs 20 24
Total yards 328 352
Rushing yards 169 203
Passing yards 159 149
Turnovers 0 0
Time of possession 31:30 28:30
Team Category Player Statistics
Kansas Passing 19–33, 159 yards
Rushing 14 carries, 76 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Kwamie Lassiter II 6 receptions, 65 yards
Baylor Passing 15–23, 142 yards, 1 TD
Rushing John Lovett 17 carries, 78 yards, 1 TD
Receiving 2 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

See also: 2020 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team.

style=Pregame line!style=Over/under
–21.5 OSU 54.5
Statistics Oklahoma
State
Kansas
First downs 31 12
Total yards 593 193
Rushing yards 295 101
Passing yards 298 92
Turnovers 0 1
Time of possession 31:54 28:06
Team Category Player Statistics
Oklahoma State Passing Shane Illingworth 17–23, 265 yards, 3 TD
Rushing 20 carries, 145 yards, 2 TD
Receiving 9 receptions, 148 yards, 2 TD
Kansas Passing Miles Kendrick 11–19, 90 yards, 1 INT
Rushing Daniel Hishaw Jr. 5 carries, 51 yards
Receiving Kwamie Lassiter II 4 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

See also: 2020 West Virginia Mountaineers football team.

style=Pregame line!style=Over/under
–22 WVU 51.5
Statistics KansasWest
Virginia
First downs 7 29
Total yards 157 544
Rushing yards 62 226
Passing yards 95 318
Turnovers 2 2
Time of possession 27:05 32:55
Team Category Player Statistics
Kansas Passing Miles Kendrick 14–23, 95 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
Rushing Velton Gardner 11 carries, 43 yards
Receiving Andrew Parchment 6 receptions, 65 yards, 1 TD
West Virginia Passing 26–44, 318 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing 18 carries, 195 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Bryce Ford-Wheaton 5 receptions, 89 yards, 1 TD

The team played the game without Les Miles due to his positive COVID-19 test. 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

See also: 2020 Kansas State Wildcats football team and Sunflower Showdown.

style=Pregame line!style=Over/under
–20 KSU 53.5
Statistics KansasKansas
State
First downs 18 17
Total yards 320 381
Rushing yards 113 129
Passing yards 207 252
Turnovers 2 1
Time of possession 30:40 29:20
Team Category Player Statistics
Kansas Passing Jalon Daniels 22–39, 207 yards, 1 INT
Rushing Velton Gardner 16 carries 72 yards
Receiving Kwamie Lassiter II 7 receptions, 58 yards
Kansas State Passing 17–24, 243 yards, 2 touchdowns
Rushing 11 carries, 71 yards, 1 touchdown
Receiving Deuce Vaughn 4 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

See also: 2020 Iowa State Cyclones football team.

style=Pregame line!style=Over/under
–28 ISU 55
Statistics Iowa
State
Kansas
First downs 26 15
Total yards 552 240
Rushing yards 258 73
Passing yards 294 167
Turnovers 1 2
Time of possession 31:13 28:47
Team Category Player Statistics
Iowa State Passing 23–34 239 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing 21 carries, 185 yards, 1 TD
Receiving 5 receptions, 87 yards, 1 TD
Kansas Passing Jalon Daniels 16–29, 165 yards, 1 INT
Rushing Jalon Daniels 16 carries, 36 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 TD
Receiving Kwamie Lassiter II 5 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

See also: 2020 Oklahoma Sooners football team.

style=Pregame line!style=Over/under
–38 OU 64
Statistics KansasOklahoma
First downs 16 31
Total yards 246 540
Rushing yards 95 200
Passing yards 151 340
Turnovers 2 2
Time of possession 32:48 27:12
Team Category Player Statistics
Kansas Passing Jalon Daniels 11/31, 115 yards, 2 INT
Rushing Daniel Hishaw Jr. 10 carries, 73 yards
Receiving Luke Grimm 4 receptions, 61 yards
Oklahoma Passing 15/27, 212 yards, TD, INT
Rushing 11 carries, 104 yards, 2 TD
Receiving 3 receptions, 75 yards, TD

TCU

See also: 2020 TCU Horned Frogs football team.

style=Pregame line!style=Over/under
–24 TCU 51.5
Statistics TCUKansas
First downs 16 18
Total yards 443 268
Rushing yards 337 41
Passing yards 106 227
Turnovers 0 2
Time of possession 25:56 34:04
Team Category Player Statistics
TCU Passing 3/11, 96 yards, 3 TD
Rushing 12 carries, 100 yards
Receiving 2 receptions, 70 yards, 2 TD
Kansas Passing Miles Kendrick 11/18, 166 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing Amauri Pesek-Hickson 22 carries, 100 yards
Receiving Kwamie Lassiter II 7 receptions, 116 yards, TD

At Texas Tech

See also: 2020 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team.

style=Pregame line!style=Over/under
–27.5 TTU 62.5
Statistics KansasTexas
Tech
First downs 14 17
Total yards 214 410
Rushing yards 112 293
Passing yards 102 117
Turnovers 0 4
Time of possession 34:23 25:37
Team Category Player Statistics
Kansas Passing Miles Kendrick 17/29, 102 yards
Rushing Daniel Hishaw Jr. 22 carries, 87 yards, TD
Receiving Luke Grimm 6 receptions, 41 yards
Texas Tech Passing 15/26, 117 yards, INT
Rushing Xavier White 14 carries, 135 yards
Receiving Myles Price 2 receptions, 43 yards

Coaching staff

Les MilesHead coach
Brent Dearmon Offensive coordinator
Defensive coordinator/linebackers
Outside linebackers
Emmett Jones Wide receivers/passing game coordinator
Tight ends/recruiting coordinator
Jonathan Wallace Running backs/special teams
Defensive backs
Jordan Peterson Safeties
Kwahn Drake Defensive line/defensive run game coordinator
John Morookian Offensive line
Offensive quality control
Ben Iannachionne Director of football strength & conditioning

Notes and References

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