The 1969 Kansas Jayhawks football team represented the University of Kansas in the Big Eight Conference during the 1969 NCAA University Division football season . In their third season under head coach Pepper Rodgers , the Jayhawks compiled an overall record of 1–9 record with a mark of 0–7 in conference play, placing last in the Big 8, and were outscored 290 to 176.[ 1] [ 2] Kansas played home games on campus at Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kansas .
In the previous season , Kansas tied Oklahoma for the Big Eight championship, the Jayhawks' most recent conference title as of 2023. They met undefeated Penn State in the Orange Bowl , but lost by a point, 15–14. Kansas was hit hard by graduation, including quarterback Bobby Douglass and defensive end John Zook , who were NFL starters as rookies in 1969 with the Chicago Bears and Atlanta Falcons , respectively.
Rival Missouri wrapped up the Big Eight championship with a 69–21 rout at Lawrence in the last game played on natural grass at Memorial Stadium. Through 2023, it is Missouri football's most recent conference title.
The team's statistical leaders included Phil Basler with 746 passing yards, John Riggins with 662 rushing yards, and John Mosier with 339 receiving yards.[ 3] Emery Hicks was the team captain.[ 2]
Date Opponent Website Result Attendance Source September 20 at Texas Tech * L 22–3843,201–42,250
September 27 Syracuse * W 13–042,230–44,500
October 4 at New Mexico * L 7–1613,338
October 11 Kansas State Memorial Stadium Lawrence, KS (rivalry ) L 22–2648,285
October 18 at Nebraska L 17–2163,223–66,667 [ 4] [ 5]
October 25 at Iowa State L 20–4425,806–26,398
November 1 Oklahoma State Memorial Stadium Lawrence, KS L 25–2833,927
November 8 Colorado Memorial Stadium Lawrence, KS L 14–1737,893 [ 6] [ 7]
November 15 at Oklahoma L 15–3159,128 [ 8] [ 9]
November 22 No. 7 Missouri L 21–6948,474 [ 10]
*Non-conference game HomecomingRankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
1969 Kansas Jayhawks football team roster
Players
Coaches
Offense
Defense
Special teams
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
Legend
(C) Team captain
(S) Suspended
(I) Ineligible
Injured
Redshirt
[ 11] [ 12]
^ "1969 Kansas Jayhawks Schedule and Results" . SR/College Football . Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 20, 2017 .
^ a b 2017 Kansas Football Media Guide, p. 185.
^ "1969 Kansas Jayhawks Stats" . SR/College Football . Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 20, 2017 .
^ Woodling, Chuck (October 20, 1969). "Pass interference call scuttles Kansas hopes, 21-17" . Lawrence Daily Journal-World . p. 12.
^ "Nebraska nips Kansas" . Eugene Register-Guard . (Oregon). Associated Press. October 19, 1969. p. 2B.
^ Woodling, Chuck (November 7, 1969). "Buffs invade for homecoming" . Lawrence Daily Journal-World . p. 8.
^ Woodling, Chuck (November 10, 1969). "Colorado continues KU year of frustration, 17-14" . Lawrence Daily Journal-World . p. 12.
^ Soldan, Ray (November 16, 1969). "OU Zaps Jayhawks As Owens Goes 201" . The Sunday Oklahoman . Oklahoma City, Oklahoma . p. 1, sports section. Retrieved October 2, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .
^ Soldan, Ray (November 16, 1969). "OU Wins on Second Half Surge (continued)" . The Sunday Oklahoman . Oklahoma City, Oklahoma . p. 2, sports section. Retrieved October 2, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .
^ Woodling, Chuck (November 24, 1969). "Scars from 69-21 loss will take long time to heal" . Lawrence Daily Journal-World . p. 19.
^ "Probable starters" . Lawrence Daily Journal-World . September 19, 1969. p. 13.
^ "Probable starters" . Lawrence Daily Journal-World . October 17, 1969. p. 12.