The Kansas Jayhawks step back onto the field in Lawrence Friday night for their second straight home game, this time against FCS foe Wagner. Kansas is already 1-0 after opening the season with a convincing 31-7 win over Fresno State, giving the Jayhawks an early boost in front of their home crowd. With Memorial Stadium still undergoing major renovations, fans get another chance to see their team in a fresh setting as the program continues to build under Lance Leipold.
Wagner, meanwhile, makes the trip from Staten Island hoping to use this matchup as both a challenge and a measuring stick. The Seahawks enter 2025 looking to improve on last year’s 4-8 campaign.
Wagner Seahawks come in as massive underdogs
The Seahawks were picked to finish fifth in the Northeast Conference preseason poll. They will look to lean on a rushing attack that struggled with consistency last year, though running back Rickey Spruill showed flashes of big-play potential with 612 yards on the ground.
Leadership is a point of pride for Wagner. Offensive lineman Brady Anderson earned All-NEC preseason honors, while defensive back and wide receiver Sam Martin and defensive lineman Logan Barnes join him as team captains. Head coach Tom Masella praised the trio for their toughness and commitment, noting their role in setting the tone for the program.
The challenge for Wagner will be handling the physicality of a Power Five opponent on both sides of the ball. Establishing the run and limiting mistakes will be critical if the Seahawks want to compete.
Kansas Jayhawks seeking 2-0 start
Kansas impressed in its opener against Fresno State, especially on defense. After giving up an early score, the Jayhawks tightened up and controlled the game the rest of the way. Coach Leipold was pleased with the effort but pointed to penalties as something that needs to be cleaned up moving forward.
Quarterback Jalon Daniels looked sharp in his first outing of the year. Despite losing his top three receivers and star running back Devin Neal to the NFL, Daniels didn’t miss a beat, completing 18 of 20 passes for 176 yards and three touchdowns. He also added 47 yards rushing, showing the dual-threat ability that makes him so dangerous.
The Jayhawks are aiming to build consistency this season and prove that their recent progress is no fluke. A clean performance against Wagner would be another step in the right direction.
MORE: Michigan State Spartans open season against hungry Broncos on Friday
Another fun night at "the Booth" for Jayhawks
Kansas comes into this matchup already battle-tested after a strong win over Fresno State, while Wagner is just beginning its journey in 2025. The Jayhawks have the home crowd, depth, and talent edge, but Wagner will approach the game with grit and determination.
For Kansas, it’s another chance to sharpen up before the grind of Big 12 play. For Wagner, it’s about gaining experience and showing toughness against a higher-level opponent. Either way, Friday night in Lawrence will give both programs an early-season test of where they stand.
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- Battle for respect: Rutgers and Ohio open with conference pride at stake
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