WHAT: Long Island University Sharks at Kansas Jayhawks
WHERE: Memorial Stadium, Lawrence
GAME TIME: 7 p.m.
TV: ESPNU
BETTING LINE: Jayhawks -41.5
VITALS: The Jayhawks will start their season debut tomorrow night at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in Lawrence against Long Island University who is coming off a 42-21 loss last week against North Dakota. Ku opens up as 41.5 point favorite against LIU but it will be interesting to see how they play as they just recently named redshirt sophomore Isaiah Marshall as the starter over Cole Ballard. This marks Lance Leipold's sixth year leading the Jayhawks, who finished 5-7 in 2025 after graduating 37 seniors and bringing in 32 transfer portal additions who accounted for over 10,000 combined snaps a year ago. On defense, Kansas returns Bednarik Award Preseason Watch List linebacker Trey Lathan, who led the team with 86 tackles last season, along with fellow starters Leroy Harris III, Jalen Todd, Blake Herold, Austin Alexander and Taylor Davis. Offensively, the Jayhawks bring back tight end Carson Bruhn, guard Amir Herring and tackle Calvin Clements, while adding transfer playmakers like running backs Dylan Edwards and Yasin Willis and receiver Nik McMillan.The biggest storyline in Lawrence is under center: with Jalon Daniels' era over, Isaiah Marshall steps in as Kansas' new starting quarterback for his first collegiate start.
The Sharks fell 42-21 to North Dakota on Aug. 27, trailing 42-0 at halftime before quarterback Luca Stanzani threw for 173 yards and a touchdown on 12-of-16 passing in the second half. LIU is coming off that loss but remains one of the top projected teams in the NEC, under longtime coach Ron Cooper, who has led the program since 2022 and guided the Sharks to their first-ever win over an FBS opponent last season, an upset at Eastern Michigan. Still, LIU is 0-3 all-time against Big 12 programs, losing by an average of 44.7 points.
Kansas is a heavy favorite. Analysts expect a lopsided score, with Marshall getting the start before giving way to backup Cole Ballard, and new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki calling plays in his first game back since 2023. Expect Kansas to use this as a tune-up before tougher tests against Missouri and Arizona State in the following two weeks. This is the first-ever meeting between the two programs. The game airs nationally on ESPNU.
MORE JAYHAWKS NEWS
Should ex-KU quarterback Jalon Daniels have accomplished more with Jayhawks?
Is this the final stop of KU running back Dylan Edwards' much-traveled collegiate career?
Why is Isaiah Marshall the Jayhawks starting quarterback . There are factors
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Jimmy Adeniran is a contributor to JayhawksRoundtable. He can be reached at mayor@iw2j.com
