Following a two-game road swing, the Kansas Jayhawks are returning home to David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium this week to host the Baylor Bears for the program’s 114th Homecoming matchup. The game is scheduled for Saturday at 12 p.m., CT, and will be broadcast on TNT with JB Long, Mike Golic Jr., and Allie LaForce on the call.
Kansas enters the contest looking to extend a four-game winning streak in Homecoming matchups, a run that includes a 38-21 victory over Oklahoma State last year. Both teams are seeking to bounce back from losses in their previous outings. The Jayhawks fell 35-24 to Kansas State in Manhattan, while Baylor suffered a 17-6 defeat against host TCU. Returning to Lawrence offers Kansas an opportunity to regain momentum at home, where the team holds a 2-1 record this season.
Offensively, quarterback Isaiah Marshall continues to steer the Kansas attack. Marshall has thrown for 1,294 yards and nine touchdowns this season. He also contributed 117 rushing yards in the recent matchup against Kansas State, bringing his season rushing total to 372 yards. That figure places him just three yards behind the team’s leading rusher, Dylan Edwards, who has compiled 375 yards and four touchdowns on the ground along with 155 receiving yards and a receiving score. Receiver Nik McMillan paces the receiving corps with 23 catches for 400 yards and four touchdowns.
Those offensive weapons will face a formidable Baylor defense that ranks 39th nationally and fifth in the Big 12 Conference in total defense, surrendering 326.7 yards per contest. The Bears have proven particularly tough in scoring defense, ranking ninth in the country and second in the league by allowing just 14.7 points per game. Baylor also stands ninth nationally and fourth in the Big 12 in rushing defense, giving up 86.7 yards per game on the ground.
Conversely, Baylor brings an offense that also ranks 39th nationally in total offense, anchored by a passing game that stands 16th in the country and third in the conference at 286 yards per game. Quarterback DJ Lagway directs the aerial attack, averaging 279 passing yards per game with eight touchdowns against three interceptions this season. Receiver Gavin Freeman has been a primary target, hauling in 49 catches for 555 yards and two touchdowns. Freeman averages 8.17 catches per game, ranking him third nationally and leading the Big 12, while also sitting third in the conference in receiving yards per game.
The Kansas defense will look to counter through a strong secondary that ranks third in the league, yielding only 174.3 passing yards per game. Upperclassmen Trey Lathan and Leroy Harris III anchor the defensive unit. Lathan leads the team with 41 total tackles and 3.5 tackles-for-loss, while Harris has recorded 27 total stops, 9.5 tackles-for-loss, three sacks, four pass breakups, and three forced fumbles. Harris ranks second in the conference and seventh nationally, averaging 1.58 tackles-for-loss per game.
Historically, Baylor has not visited Lawrence since 2021, when the Bears defeated the Jayhawks in head coach Lance Leipold’s first Big 12 game. The two programs subsequently played in Waco in 2022 and 2024, while not meeting in 2023 or 2025. Overall, the Bears hold a 19-4 advantage in the all-time series.
