Kansas looks to stay on the path to bowl eligibility when it hosts reeling Oklahoma State in a Big 12 clash on Saturday in Lawrence, Kan.
The Jayhawks (4-4, 2-3 Big 12) made back-to-back bowl appearances in 2022 and 2023 under coach Lance Leipold before being shut out of postseason play last year.
For the fifth-year coach to get the Jayhawks back to a bowl game, they’ll need to shake off the 42-17 home drubbing they endured last week against in-state rival Kansas State.
The Wildcats have won 17 straight games in the Sunflower Showdown and they forced four turnovers and outgained the Jayhawks 371-247 in total yards. Quarterback Jalon Daniels only completed 17 of 35 passes for 129 yards and an interception. Daniel Hishaw Jr. rushed for 67 yards and a touchdown.
“We have a big test to see where we are at as a program right now,” Leipold said. “As a team, our leadership and leadership from myself and others, we have to make sure we keep coaching this group and find solutions and answers.”
Conversely, the Cowboys (1-7, 0-5) are playing out the string under interim coach Doug Meacham.
Oklahoma State has lost seven straight games and was shut out for the first time this season in a 42-0 loss to then-No. 14 Texas Tech last Saturday. The Cowboys played two quarterbacks and neither managed to eclipse 100 yards.
Sam Jackson V threw for 48 yards and Noah Walters went for 39 yards through the air. Trent Howland rushed for 58 yards for Oklahoma State which only managed 182 yards of total offense and nine first downs.
Because players can see action in four games and still maintain redshirt status, Meacham said he expects a youth movement to get underway. He singled out the potential of two freshmen: linebacker Carl’veon Young and receiver Matrail Lopez.
“We’ll have an infusion of some freshmen,” Meacham said. “Some guys that haven’t played will play in the last four games and still garner a redshirt. We’ll get five or six guys out there on special teams that will also help us out offensively and defensively.”
