Aug 284 min read

Kansas Jayhawks Soar Into 2024 Against the Lindenwood Lions

Jalon Daniels — © Jay Biggerstaff/USA TODAY SPORTS

The Kansas Jayhawks will kick off their 2024 campaign at 8 p.m. EST on Aug. 29 at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan. This will be the first time the Jayhawks have played a regular season home game away from Lawrence, Kan. This will also be the first time the Jayhawks will face the Lindenwood Lions, who were brought up from the FCS just two years ago.

Kansas has a lot riding on this season. Contenders for the Big 12 Conference title for the first time since 2007, the air around campus is teeming with hope. It all starts here with a good performance. For Lindenwood, a 3-7 campaign in their second FCS season was not what they had envisioned when they first moved up from Division II. Teams can certainly struggle at first after moving between divisions, but now is the time to put up or shut up for a once proud and prestigious Division II program after two straight years of disappointment.

Key Players: Kansas Jayhawks

The Jayhawks return a ton of what was one of the best offenses in the nation last season. While they might lean heavily on their offensive performance this year, don't expect the defense to be a weak link, as there is also plenty of talent in the secondary and along the defensive front. Yes, the Lions return almost their entire offensive line, but they are facing major questions at quarterback, which makes for prime pickings for this group.

Jalon Daniels, Quarterback

Daniels is coming off a back injury that sidelined him for most of the 2023 season. When healthy, he can be a major asset for this Kansas team both with his arm and with his legs. His health will be a major key in determining the Jayhawks' season. Daniels has thrown for 4,297 yards, rushed for 602 yards and has scored 44 total touchdowns throughout his career.

Devin Neal, Running Back

Neal is one of the best running backs in the nation and a Lawrence native. His presence both on and off the field for the Jayhawks is imperative to the success they've seen over the past few years. He will once again be a leader to watch for this season, being nominated for the Doak Walker and Maxwell Award Preseason Watch Lists. Neal totaled 1,280 yards rushing, 217 yards receiving and 17 touchdowns in 2023.

Cobee Bryant, Cornerback

Bryant is the defensive leader for this Jayhawks team, being a master of protecting the skies alongside his counterpart Mello Dotson. They lead a secondary that is sure to be one of the best in the nation. Bryant recorded 32 total tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 4 interceptions, 5 pass deflections, 1 forced fumble and a recovery for a touchdown.

Key Players: Lindenwood Lions

The Lions are going through a major transition period on the offensive side of the ball, leaning on the experience they do have to help mesh this unit into something formidable for the upcoming year. Defensively, they return a host of really good experience, priming them for what should be a big, needed step forward. After finishing dead last in the Ohio Valley Conference in total defense in 2023, the Lions' defense will be a major key to this season's success. They'll have to lean heavily on this unit to stop the Jayhawks offensive attack.

Jeff Caldwell, Wide Receiver

Caldwell led the Lions in receiving last season, with 599 yards total and 8 touchdowns. He will be expected to be an upperclassmen leader in the upcoming 2024 campaign, especially given that Lindenwood has questions at quarterback as well as the other offensive skill positions.

Kobe McClendon, Defensive End

McClendon is the most experienced and talented player on this defensive unit. The junior led the Lions with 7.5 sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss. He is one of the more talented defensive ends in the FCS and will even give the experienced tackles of Kansas a tough challenge should they not prepare well for him.

Ethan Stuhlsatz, Linebacker

Stuhlsatz was the team's leading tackler last season and will be another defensive leader for the Lions. Stuhlsatz recorded 66 total tackles and 2 forced fumbles last season and is poised for another big year. He will need to be the guy to lead this defense against a very strong Jayhawks rushing attack.

Tale of the Tape

The Jayhawks look poised to run away with this one, as the Lions' defense, while improved this season, will not be able to overcome one of the better offensive attacks in the country. The departure of offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki (Penn State) will likely mean very little for a cohesive offense that has obtained some key pieces in the Transfer Portal and is overall brimming with talent.

This should not be a game that is close for Kansas. As heavy favorites and strong contenders for the conference, having a strong start to the season will be imperative. Expect the Jayhawks to flex their muscle and their depth in what shouldn't be much of a contest against what was one of the lower-tier FCS squads last season.

Final Score Prediction: Jayhawks 62, Lions 14