What Is 2018 Kansas Jayhawks football team

Overview

The 2018 Kansas Jayhawks football team represented the University of Kansas during the 2018 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) season. Competing in the Big 12 Conference, the team struggled to gain traction under head coach David Beaty, who was in his fifth and final season leading the program.

Despite high hopes for improvement, the Jayhawks finished the year with a 3-9 overall record and 1-8 in conference play. Their three wins came against Indiana, Central Michigan, and UTEP, marking minimal progress in a historically difficult rebuilding phase.

• September 1, 2018: Kansas opened the season with a 40-37 overtime victory over Indiana in Bloomington, marking their first road win since 2016.
• The team's only Big 12 Conference win came in a 31-7 victory over UTEP on September 15, though UTEP was not a conference opponent.
• Head coach David Beaty was fired on November 18, 2018, after a 27-55 record over five seasons, including a 1-39 mark in Big 12 play over his final four years.
• Red Raiders defeated Kansas 52-24 on November 10, 2018, in what became Beaty’s final game as head coach.
• Quarterback Clayton Moore started four games, while Thomas MacVittie also saw significant playing time, reflecting instability at the position.

Season Performance and Structure

The 2018 campaign followed a standard 12-game regular season schedule, featuring non-conference matchups and a full slate of Big 12 opponents. Kansas faced a grueling conference lineup that included national contenders like Oklahoma and West Virginia.

• Non-conference record: 3-1 — The Jayhawks defeated Indiana, Central Michigan, and UTEP but lost to FCS-level team Eastern Illinois in a major upset.
• Big 12 record: 0-8 — Kansas lost all conference games, including a 48-14 defeat to Oklahoma and a 55-41 loss to Texas in their finale.
• The team allowed an average of 39.6 points per game, ranking among the worst nationally in total defense.
• Offensively, Kansas averaged 22.3 points per game, with inconsistent quarterback play and a developing young roster contributing to the struggles.
• Senior quarterback Carter Stanley emerged late in the season, throwing for 227 yards and two touchdowns in the Texas game, showing potential for the future.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2018 Kansas Jayhawks compared to select teams in the Big 12 Conference based on key performance metrics:

The table highlights the significant gap between Kansas and the rest of the Big 12. While teams like Oklahoma advanced to the College Football Playoff, Kansas remained at the bottom of the conference standings, both offensively and defensively. The data underscores the challenges the program faced in competitiveness and talent development.

Why It Matters

The 2018 season was a pivotal moment in the history of Kansas football, symbolizing both the depth of the program’s struggles and the urgency for change. The poor record led directly to a coaching overhaul, setting the stage for future rebuilding efforts.

• The firing of David Beaty signaled the university’s commitment to turning around a program that had not had a winning season since 2007.
• Les Miles was hired in November 2018 as the new head coach, bringing national championship experience from LSU.
• The season highlighted the need for improved recruiting, particularly in Texas and Oklahoma, to compete in the Big 12.
• Player development issues were evident, with only 13 scholarship seniors on the 2018 roster, indicating a youth movement without immediate results.
• Attendance at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium declined, reflecting waning fan interest amid prolonged losing seasons.
• The 2018 campaign ultimately served as a catalyst for modernizing the football program’s infrastructure and coaching philosophy.

While the win-loss record was disappointing, the season played a crucial role in initiating long-term changes that would shape the future of Kansas Jayhawks football.