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Kansas coach Lance Leipold vows improvement after second straight 5-7 season

Stories by Kansas City Star journalists, with AI summarization

For a second straight year, the Kansas Jayhawks end their football season with unfulfilled expectations. Lance Leipold's KU squad went 5-7, failing to make a bowl game despite three chances to clinch postseason eligibility down the stretch.

After the game, Leipold put blame on himself and vowed to do a better job. His tenure, to date, has only seen one winning season, but the Jayhawks have played in two bowl games during his five years. Kansas is 25-25 in his last four seasons.

In this year's decisive game against Utah, quarterback Jalon Daniels struggled, throwing three interceptions. The running game, however, showed promise. As Kansas prepares for departures, Leipold emphasizes the need for consistent bowl appearances.

Wide receiver Cam Pickett #7 of the Kansas Jayhawks catches a pass against cornerback Smith Snowden #2 of the Utah Utes in the first half at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on November 28, 2025 in Lawrence. By Ed Zurga

NO. 1: TAKEAWAYS FROM KU FOOTBALL’S LATE LOSS TO UTAH — AND MISSED CHANCE AT BOWL GAME

Jalon Daniels has put the Kansas Jayhawks in position to win a lot of games in his six seasons in Lawrence — something few of his immediate predecessors were able to manage. | Published November 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Shreyas Laddha

Head coach Lance Leipold of the Kansas Jayhawks talks with quarterback Jalon Daniels #6 against the Utah Utes in the second half at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on November 28, 2025 in Lawrence, Kansas. By Ed Zurga

NO. 2: COACH LANCE LEIPOLD AFTER KU FOOTBALL’S 5-7 SEASON: ‘I HAVE TO DO A BETTER JOB’

Quarterback Jalon Daniels was the last of the Kansas football players to arrive at their postgame media session Friday. | Published November 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Shreyas Laddha

Running back Daniel Hishaw Jr. #9 of the Kansas Jayhawks runs in for a touchdown against the Utah Utes at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on November 28, 2025 in Lawrence. By Ed Zurga

NO. 3: KANSAS JAYHAWKS FOOTBALL GRADES: REPORT CARD FROM KU FOOTBALL’S LOSS VS. UTAH

Kansas football’s season is over after a tough loss to No. | Published November 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Shreyas Laddha

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.