What Is 1931 Kansas Jayhawks football team

Overview

The 1931 Kansas Jayhawks football team represented the University of Kansas in the 1931 college football season. Competing as a member of the Big Six Conference, the team struggled to find consistent success, finishing with a 2–5–1 overall record and a 2–3–1 mark in conference play.

Under the leadership of head coach Bill Hargiss, who was in his sixth and final season with the program, the Jayhawks faced a challenging schedule. Despite some competitive performances, the team ranked near the bottom of the national standings in scoring, averaging just 5.4 points per game while allowing significantly more on defense.

• Season Record: The Jayhawks finished the 1931 season with a 2–5–1 overall record, reflecting a difficult campaign against regional and conference opponents.
• Conference Performance: Kansas went 2–3–1 in Big Six Conference games, placing them in the lower half of the final conference standings.
• Head Coach: Bill Hargiss led the team for the sixth consecutive year, concluding his tenure after the 1931 season with a cumulative record of 21–29–3.
• Home Stadium: All home games were played at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, a venue that has hosted Jayhawks football since 1921.
• Scoring Output: The team scored 43 total points across eight games, averaging 5.4 points per game, one of the lowest in the conference.

Season Performance and Results

The 1931 season was marked by close contests and narrow losses, with the Jayhawks often competing but failing to secure victories. Several games were decided by a touchdown or less, highlighting the team’s competitiveness despite their losing record.

• September 26, 1931: Kansas opened the season with a 0–0 tie against Kansas State, a game that showcased defensive intensity but offensive struggles.
• October 3, 1931: The Jayhawks lost 7–6 to Washington University, a narrow defeat that underscored their difficulty in converting drives into points.
• October 10, 1931: A 20–0 loss to Nebraska highlighted defensive vulnerabilities, as the Cornhuskers dominated both lines of scrimmage.
• October 17, 1931: Kansas earned its first win, defeating Iowa State 13–7, thanks to a strong second-half effort and two defensive stops.
• October 24, 1931: A 14–0 loss to Missouri continued a pattern of being outscored by conference rivals with stronger offensive units.
• November 7, 1931: The team tied Oklahoma 7–7 in Norman, a result that kept their conference record competitive despite missed scoring chances.
• November 14, 1931: A 13–7 win over Missouri Military Academy provided a late-season morale boost, though against a non-conference opponent.
• November 21, 1931: The season concluded with a 20–7 loss to rival Kansas State, ending the Hargiss era on a disappointing note.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 1931 Kansas Jayhawks compared to other Big Six Conference teams based on final records and key metrics: