8 lessons from Kansas Jayhawks’ resilient season

The Kansas Jayhawks fought tooth and nail this season, but heartbreak followed them late in games. This list of stories outlines a relentless team plagued by narrow losses, including a gut-punch fumble in the final moments against Kansas State and missed scoring chances versus Texas Tech. Injuries to leaders like Jalon Daniels and Cobee Bryant pushed the team deeper into adversity, yet players like KJ Adams and Luke Grimm kept swinging.

Even with a losing record, the Jayhawks stayed aggressive, kept games close, and refused to roll over. Their effort, fire, and refusal to quit offer lessons in resilience and grit for any team facing a tough stretch.

Kansas Jayhawks cornerback Cobee Bryant (2) celebrates after defeating the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium on Sept. 10, 2022. By Ben Queen

NO. 1: KANSAS FOOTBALL VS. WEST VIRGINIA: FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT JAYHAWKS’ BIG 12 OPENER

The Kansas Jayhawks travel to Morgantown to play West Virginia on Saturday. Here’s what to know before kickoff. | Published September 16, 2024 | Read Full Story by Shreyas Laddha

Kansas Jayhawks running back Devin Neal (4) runs for a gain against the UNLV Rebels in the first half on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas. By Tammy Ljungblad

NO. 2: KANSAS FOOTBALL VS. HOUSTON: FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT JAYHAWKS’ NEXT BIG 12 GAME

Can the Kansas Jayhawks break their losing streak this week? Here’s what to know before kickoff. | Published October 14, 2024 | Read Full Story by Shreyas Laddha

Kansas Jayhawks running back Devin Neal (4) carries the ball as Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Miles Scott (10) lunges for a tackle during the first half at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 7, 2024. By Ron Johnson

NO. 3: NEW KANSAS JAYHAWKS Q&A FEATURES KU FOOTBALL EXPECTATIONS + BASKETBALL ROTATION

Beat writer Shreyas Laddha answers top KU questions in this week’s Q&A. | Published October 18, 2024 | Read Full Story by Shreyas Laddha

Kansas Jayhawks quarterback Jalon Daniels throws a pass that was intercepted during the second quarter of the Sunflower Showdown game against Kansas on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. By Travis Heying

NO. 4: BACK-BREAKING MISTAKES SINK KU FOOTBALL AT K-STATE. TAKEAWAYS FROM SUNFLOWER SHOWDOWN

The Kansas Jayhawks were poised to stun K-State in the Sunflower Showdown. These big mistakes cost them. | Published October 27, 2024 | Read Full Story by Shreyas Laddha

Kansas Jayhawks coach Lance Leipold walks off the field following a loss to the Kansas State Wildcats at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium on Oct. 26, 2024. By Scott Sewell

NO. 5: HOW DID THE KANSAS JAYHAWKS’ PROMISING 2024 FOOTBALL SEASON TURN SO BAD SO FAST?

Coach Lance Leipold defended the Jayhawks after their late loss at K-State: “Pretty evident this is a good football team.” | Published October 27, 2024 | Read Full Story by Shreyas Laddha

Kansas Jayhawks quarterback Jalon Daniels takes a snap from center Bryce Foster (No. 61) during a game against Kansas State at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium in Manhattan on Oct. 26, 2024. By Scott Sewell/file photo

NO. 6: KANSAS JAYHAWKS QUARTERBACK JALON DANIELS WILL BE LIMITED AT SPRING FOOTBALL. HERE’S WHY

Daniels will be a limited participant in KU’s spring practices for the second straight year. | Published February 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Shreyas Laddha

Kansas Jayhawks forward KJ Adams puts his hands on his head after the Jayhawks’ home loss vs. the Texas Tech Red Raiders on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Allen Fieldhouse. By Dominick Williams

NO. 7: THREE HOME LOSSES? KANSAS FALLS (AGAIN) AT ALLEN FIELDHOUSE: TAKEAWAYS VS. TEXAS TECH

Instant reaction — and four takeaways — from the Kansas Jayhawks’ home loss to Texas Tech. | Published March 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Shreyas Laddha

A contractor works on lighting as part of the renovations to David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on Friday, April 11, 2025, at the University of Kansas in Lawrence. The renovated stadium is scheduled to be ready for the 2025 football season with the home opener set for Saturday, August 23, 2025, against Fresno State. By Tammy Ljungblad

NO. 8: SEE HOW NEW SEATS IN KU’S RENOVATED MEMORIAL STADIUM ADD STYLE TO JAYHAWKS’ FOOTBALL HOME

The seats being installed in the David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium are part of special touches being added to the design of the home of the Jayhawks. | Published April 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tammy Ljungblad

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.