What Is 2022 Kansas Jayhawks football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2022 Kansas Jayhawks football team represented the University of Kansas in the 2022 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a 6–6 overall record under head coach Lance Leipold. They competed in the Big 12 Conference and became bowl-eligible for the first time since 2008, ending a 14-year postseason drought.

Key Facts

The 2022 Kansas Jayhawks finished with a 6–6 overall record.
Head coach Lance Leipold led the team in his second season.
They achieved bowl eligibility for the first time since 2008.
Kansas played in the Big 12 Conference, one of the Power Five leagues.
The team lost to LSU 42–20 in the 2022 Liberty Bowl.

Overview

The 2022 Kansas Jayhawks football team marked a turning point in the program’s modern era, achieving bowl eligibility for the first time since 2008. Competing in the Big 12 Conference, the team was led by head coach Lance Leipold, who was in his second season rebuilding the program after years of struggles.

Despite not winning a conference title or securing a ranked finish, the 2022 season represented significant progress for Kansas football. The team’s 6–6 overall record and 3–6 conference performance reflected incremental improvement, culminating in a Liberty Bowl appearance—though they lost 42–20 to LSU.

Record: The Jayhawks finished the season with a 6–6 overall record, their first non-losing season since 2008.
Big 12 performance: Kansas went 3–6 in conference play, defeating TCU, Texas, and West Virginia during the season.
Head coach: Lance Leipold, hired in 2021, continued his rebuild, focusing on culture change and recruiting.
Bowl game: The team earned a bid to the Liberty Bowl, ending a 14-year bowl drought.
Final game: Kansas lost 42–20 to the LSU Tigers in Memphis on December 27, 2022.

Season Performance

The 2022 campaign showcased both growth and lingering challenges for the Jayhawks, who remained competitive in most games despite a tough Big 12 schedule. The offense and defense showed flashes of potential, but consistency was an issue across the 12-game season.

September 10, 2022: Kansas defeated Texas 57–56 in triple overtime, marking one of the most thrilling wins in program history.
October 8, 2022: A 38–31 win over West Virginia improved their record to 4–2, boosting bowl hopes.
October 22, 2022: A 38–31 victory over TCU was Kansas’s first win over a ranked team since 2009.
November 19, 2022: A 37–0 loss to Kansas State ended any slim conference title hopes.
November 26, 2022: A 28–23 win over Iowa State secured their 6th win and bowl eligibility.
December 27, 2022: In the Liberty Bowl, Kansas was outmatched by LSU’s physical defense and strong rushing attack.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2022 Kansas Jayhawks compared to recent seasons and conference peers in key statistical categories:

Category	2022 Season	2021 Season	Big 12 Average
Overall Record	6–6	2–10	7–5
Conference Record	3–6	1–8	4–5
Points Per Game	27.8	20.6	31.2
Total Yards Per Game	356.3	312.1	398.7
Passing Yards Per Game	222.5	198.4	256.9
Turnover Margin	–0.3	–1.2	+0.4

The data shows clear improvement from 2021, especially in scoring and offensive output. While Kansas still lagged behind the Big 12 average in most metrics, the 2022 season demonstrated upward momentum under Leipold’s leadership. The team’s ability to win close games and develop quarterback Jalon Daniels was a bright spot.

Why It Matters

The 2022 season was a milestone for Kansas football, symbolizing a potential shift from perennial underdog to competitive program. Rebuilding efforts began to bear fruit, with increased fan engagement and recruiting momentum.

Program momentum: Ending a 14-year bowl drought energized the fanbase and recruiting efforts.
Recruiting impact: Success on the field helped attract higher-rated recruits in the 2023 class.
Coaching validation: Lance Leipold’s rebuild strategy gained credibility with tangible results.
Conference competitiveness: Wins over ranked teams proved Kansas could compete in the Power Five.
Player development: Quarterback Jalon Daniels emerged as a dual-threat leader, throwing for 1,613 yards and 12 TDs.
Financial benefits: Bowl eligibility brought increased revenue and media exposure for the athletic department.

While the 2022 season didn’t end in a victory, it laid the foundation for sustained improvement. The Jayhawks’ performance signaled that long-term success might finally be within reach after years of struggle.