Kansas Coach Leipold Acknowledges Embarrassing 42-17 Loss to K-State, Extending Rivalry Streak to 17

Kansas head coach Lance Leipold — who signed a contract in February 2024 that runs through the 2029 season with a $6.65 million base salary in 2025 and a buyout that starts at $27.8 million (dropping to $22.9 million after Dec. 1) — watched his Jayhawks fall 42-17 to Kansas State, extending KU’s Sunflower Showdown skid to 17 straight losses. KU led early but was thoroughly outplayed after a turnover, surrendering 371 total yards, committing four turnovers and failing to sustain an offense that finished with 129 passing yards from Jalon Daniels (17-of-35, one interception), his fewest in three years. The loss drops Kansas to 4-4, leaving four games remaining and the team needing two more wins to reach bowl eligibility. Leipold called the result “a major step backwards,” said he was “embarrassed,” acknowledged the Wildcats were more physical and executed better, and took responsibility as head coach while stressing the need to work on the future. Fans voiced visible frustration at the game, and Leipold credited K‑State’s disruptive defensive game plan even as he reiterated that KU must improve across the board.