Kansas football started the season 1-0 with its win at home against Fresno State. Here are a few questions to think about as the campaign progresses.
LAWRENCE — Kansas football opened its 2025 season with a 31-7 win Saturday, Aug. 23 at home against Fresno State.
The Jayhawks (1-0) left no doubt during the non-conference matchup. The Bulldogs (0-1) never led, with the closest they came to doing so being the 7-7 tie they earned during the first quarter. With momentum now on its side, KU looks ahead to its next game and an opportunity to start 2-0 this fall with head coach Lance Leipold.
Before the Aug. 29 kickoff at home against Wagner, though, here are a few questions to think about.
What was behind Kansas’ defense finding its consistency after it struggled early?
Fresno State took advantage of Kansas mistakes during the Bulldogs’ first offensive drive of the game, finishing it off with a touchdown. Leipold acknowledged there were missed tackles, which he said can be an issue as a team transitions from fall camp into the season. But Fresno State also never scored again after that drive and wound up turning the ball over three times, with Leipold credited to his team not panicking and getting pressure on the quarterback.
Redshirt senior linebacker Bangally Kamara, a transfer from South Carolina, was one of those Jayhawks to pressure the quarterback. Kamara finished the game with four tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack — not to mention a forced fumble. Leipold praised Kamara’s passion, athleticism, length and versatility, and detailed that part of the reason Kamara is at KU is the chance to be on the field on a regular basis.
Is there more clarity regarding the competitions along Kansas’ offensive line?
Kansas came into the Fresno State game anticipating a rotation at both left guard and right tackle, as the competition for playing time at those offensive line positions continued following fall camp. Although redshirt sophomore Amir Herring and redshirt senior Enrique Cruz Jr. got the starts, respectively, both redshirt sophomore Tavake Tuikolovatu and redshirt senior Nolan Gorczyca saw the field as well. Leipold didn’t say anything postgame that revealed any final decision, but did highlight how rotating can keep guys fresh. He explained they’ll grade the film and adjust as needed.
Overall, Leipold liked how the offensive line performed when it came to protection. He just thought there were too many penalties, which they will have to clean up.
Can Kansas sustain the momentum from its stadium reopening?
Count Leipold among those impressed by the new-look David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. There was how he saw the crowd fill it up, including the students, and the feeling of what it was like to come out of a real tunnel — which made it feel like the Jayhawks were a true power conference program. There’s more to be done, of course, but Leipold had high praise for a venue he thinks is a quality one to watch a college football game.
Now, it’s about sustaining all the positives everyone experienced Saturday as they work on the rest. While Leipold noted he couldn’t thank the students enough for their energy, he knows they need to keep showing up. He understands KU can have as much of a top-of-the-line stadium as it wants, but if no one comes to games, it won’t be all that special.
Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He was the 2022 National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas. Contact him at [email protected] or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas football: 3 lingering questions after beating Fresno State
Category: General Sports
