What Is 1943 Kansas Jayhawks football team

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1943 Kansas Jayhawks football team represented the University of Kansas during the 1943 college football season, finishing with a 3–6 record under head coach Henry Shenk. They competed as a member of the Big Six Conference and played their home games at Memorial Stadium in Lawrence.

Key Facts

The 1943 Kansas Jayhawks finished the season with a 3–6 overall record
Henry Shenk was the head coach in his first year leading the team
They played home games at Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kansas
The team competed in the Big Six Conference, finishing with a 1–3 conference record
Due to World War II, many college teams, including Kansas, faced player shortages and schedule disruptions

Overview

The 1943 Kansas Jayhawks football team represented the University of Kansas during the 1943 NCAA college football season. Coached by first-year head coach Henry Shenk, the team struggled amid the challenges of World War II, which significantly impacted collegiate athletics across the nation.

Playing their home games at Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kansas, the Jayhawks competed in the Big Six Conference, a precursor to the modern Big 12. The war effort led to reduced rosters, travel restrictions, and a shortened schedule, all of which affected team performance and consistency.

Record: The Jayhawks finished the 1943 season with a 3–6 overall record, marking one of the more difficult campaigns in program history.
Conference play: In Big Six Conference competition, Kansas went 1–3, with their sole win coming against conference opponent Iowa State.
Head coach: Henry Shenk took over as head coach in 1943, his first and only season leading the program before departing after the war.
Home stadium: All home games were held at Memorial Stadium, which had a capacity of approximately 30,000 and opened in 1921.
War impact: Many able-bodied college athletes were drafted or enlisted, leading to depleted rosters and reliance on younger or less experienced players.

Season Performance

The 1943 season was marked by inconsistency and the logistical hurdles brought on by global conflict. With limited resources and a disrupted recruiting pipeline, the Jayhawks faced both conference and independent opponents under difficult conditions.

September opener: Kansas opened the season with a loss to Oklahoma Military Academy, 19–7, highlighting early offensive struggles.
First win: The Jayhawks earned their first victory on October 2, defeating Missouri 20–13 in a hard-fought Border War matchup.
Conference defeat: They lost to conference powerhouse Oklahoma, 40–0, reflecting the gap between top teams and rebuilding programs.
Iowa State win: Kansas secured their only Big Six win on October 30, defeating Iowa State 13–0 in a defensive showdown.
Season finale: The team closed with a 20–14 loss to Nebraska, finishing the year at 3–6 and last in the Big Six standings.
Scoring: Kansas scored 106 points total during the season, averaging 11.8 points per game, while allowing 185 points against.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 1943 Kansas Jayhawks with other Big Six Conference teams during the 1943 season:

Team	Overall Record	Conference Record	Head Coach	Points For
Kansas	3–6	1–3	Henry Shenk	106
Oklahoma	5–4	3–2	Snorter Luster	142
Oklahoma A&M	5–3–1	3–0–1	Jim Lookabaugh	167
Missouri	4–5	2–2	Don Faurot	124
Iowa State	2–6	1–3	Mike Michalske	67
Nebraska	2–6	2–2	Adolph Lewandowski	98

The 1943 season was highly competitive despite wartime constraints. Oklahoma A&M emerged as the strongest team, going undefeated in conference play. Kansas finished near the bottom, outperformed only by Iowa State and Nebraska in wins, though they edged Iowa State in head-to-head results. The table illustrates how the war affected team strength and scoring output across the conference.

Why It Matters

The 1943 season reflects a unique chapter in college football history, shaped by the global impact of World War II. Understanding this season provides insight into how athletics adapted during national crises and highlights the resilience of student-athletes.

Historical context: The 1943 season underscores how global events can directly influence sports, from roster changes to scheduling.
Player development: Many young athletes stepped into roles prematurely due to the absence of veterans, accelerating their growth.
Coaching transitions: Henry Shenk’s brief tenure exemplifies the instability in leadership during wartime college programs.
Legacy: Despite a losing record, the 1943 team maintained the continuity of the Kansas football program during a challenging era.
Stadium tradition: Memorial Stadium remained a constant, preserving fan engagement despite reduced team performance.
Conference evolution: The Big Six would later expand into the Big Eight and eventually the Big 12, making this season part of a broader lineage.

The 1943 Kansas Jayhawks may not be remembered for victories, but they represent perseverance during one of the most tumultuous periods in modern history. Their season is a testament to the enduring spirit of collegiate athletics.