UCF vs. Kansas Football Preview with Jon Kirby of Jayhawk Slant
UCF returns to the Bounce House for their Big 12 home opener on Saturday night against a Kansas team looking to rebound after a tough home loss to Cincinnati.
To break down the Jayhawks, I caught up with Jon Kirby, publisher of Jayhawk Slant on the On3 Network, who has covered Kansas football for more than 25 years.
Here’s a recap of our conversation, which can be viewed in its entirety above.
Kirby’s TMo connection
Kirby began by recounting his personal connection to UCF athletic director Terry Mohajir. Both Kansas City-area natives, Kirby recalled Mohajir’s early coaching roots on Glen Mason’s KU staff in the mid-1990s before transitioning to athletic administration.
“He knows his football,” Kirby said of Mohajir. “He can sit down and watch film and diagnose what’s going on. You guys at UCF are lucky to have him.”
Having covered Kansas for a quarter-century, Kirby has seen the program’s highest of highs, notably the 2007 Orange Bowl run under Mark Mangino, and its lowest of lows, including stints under Turner Gill, David Beaty and Les Miles. But since Lance Leipold arrived in 2021, there’s been a steady climb.
“There’s a level of consistency now,” Kirby said. “Every game they play, they’re competitive.”
Stadium transformation
Kirby detailed the transformation of David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, which will soon enter Phase 2 of a multi-year, $800 million renovation. The first phase, the west side, opened this season.
“People who’ve worked on SoFi Stadium said KU’s is on par,” Kirby said. “It’s top notch, premium suites, Limestone Club, Jayhawk Club. They’re all sold out. It’s like walking into a different world.”
The East side will be demolished after this season with plans to have enough seats in place for 2026 to continue playing on campus. UCF visits Lawrence in 2026.
Kansas coming off disappointing loss
Kansas enters the Bounce House at 3-2 (1-1 Big 12), reeling from a 37-34 home loss to Cincinnati in which they gave up over 600 yards of offense.
“No one expected them to lose that game,” Kirby admitted. “The offense puts up 597 yards, but the defense allows 600. That’s not going to cut it.”
The Jayhawks now head to Orlando before another road test at Texas Tech, making Saturday night’s matchup pivotal for momentum.
“This UCF game has become a big deal for KU,” Kirby said. “They’ve got to bounce back.”
JD6: One of college football’s best quarterbacks
Kansas is led by sixth-year quarterback Jalon Daniels, who is off to the best statistical start of his career. Daniels has thrown for 1,262 yards and 16 touchdowns, ranking second nationally, and added 214 rushing yards.
“When Kansas takes the field, Daniels is going to be the best quarterback in most games,” Kirby said. “He’s tough to sack, strong, and this is his sixth year. He’s throwing better than ever.”
Daniels missed spring ball due to injury but showed leadership by bringing his receivers to California over the summer to build chemistry. The work paid off, especially with Alabama transfer Emmanuel Henderson Jr., who has 23 catches for 435 yards and 4 touchdowns, including a 93-yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage last week.
“Henderson is explosive,” Kirby said. “Don’t kick to him either, he’s already returned one for a touchdown.”
Kansas has multiple receiving threats: Cam Pickett (Ball State transfer), Levi Wentz (a physical 6-2 target), and Bryson Canty (Columbia transfer) are all in the mix. “They’re deep and talented at receiver,” Kirby added.
Running back depth tested
Running back Daniel Hishaw Jr., who torched UCF in 2023, is out with injury. That leaves Iowa transfer Leshon Williams as the feature back. Williams leads KU with 245 rushing yards and is averaging 6.4 yards per carry.
“They rode Williams last week, 54 of 59 offensive snaps,” Kirby said. “But they’ve got to find someone to spell him this week.”
Offensive line and playcalling
Despite losing two NFL-caliber tackles, Kansas’ offensive line has remained solid. Texas A&M transfer center Bryce Foster, who is also an All-American track athlete, is the anchor, though he’s battled through injuries.
“Foster is an NFL guy, and Enrique Cruz from Syracuse has been solid,” Kirby said. “They’re still trying to get consistency.”
Though OC Andy Kotelnicki left for Penn State following the 2023 season, the offense remains mostly unchanged under Jim Zebrowski, who followed Leipold from Buffalo.
“There’s a lot of continuity,” Kirby explained. “Still the same motion, option, and misdirection looks.”
Defensive struggles resurface
Kansas’ defense has allowed 10 or fewer points in three games (Fresno State, Wagner, West Virginia), but in losses to Missouri and Cincinnati gave up 42 and 37 points, and 595 yards and 603 yards.
“They’ve struggled against teams that can throw,” Kirby said. “Receivers have found soft spots, and in some cases they’ve been left wide open.”
Still, Kansas has a strong front seven, especially on the interior line, which is coached by former UCF DL coach Jim Panagos. Dean Miller and Justice Finkley are key contributors off the edge, while linebackers Trey Lathan (team-leading 37 tackles) and Bangally Kamara form the core of the defense. Kamara, however, will miss the first half vs. UCF due to a targeting penalty.
“When Lathan and Kamara are on the field together, they’re pretty good,” Kirby said.
The question remains whether KU can limit explosive passing plays, an area UCF might try to exploit.
Kicker injury a potential issue
Kansas kicker Laith Marjan is listed as questionable, and Kirby noted it “surprised everybody.”
“He’s been perfect on kicks this year,” Kirby said. “If he can’t go, I don’t know who the backup is. That’s a concern.”
Rain forecast looms
With rain likely in Orlando on Saturday, the conditions could favor a run-heavy approach, but Kirby was unsure how Kansas might respond.
“We haven’t seen them have to play in that,” he said. “If it’s a smashmouth kind of game, it’s a total unknown.”
Kirby’s Prediction: Kansas 31, UCF 24
Both Kirby and I predicted narrow Kansas wins within a few points of each other.
“If conditions are normal, I like KU,” Kirby said. “Their offense gives them the chance to score with anybody. If it’s about who can score more, I trust them.”
That said, questions remain about Kansas’ defense, kicker situation, and how the offense might fare in a potential downpour. For UCF, the health of quarterback Tayven Jackson and the readiness of the offensive line in a bounce-back effort are the biggest unknowns.
Kansas going international
Before wrapping, Kirby commented on KU’s 2026 game in London vs. Arizona State, which was officially announced earlier this week.
“Initially, fans didn’t like giving up a home game, but with the stadium still under construction next year, it makes sense,” he said. “They’ll still have six home games. And if they get a bye week after it, which Leipold hinted at, it’s a win.”
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