Kansas Jayhawks to Face Arizona Wildcats for First Time in 59 Years

LAWRENCE, Kan. – The Kansas Jayhawks will face the Arizona Wildcats for the first time in 59 years on Saturday, November 8, at Arizona Stadium in Tucson. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CT and will air on ESPN2, featuring play-by-play from Mike Monaco, analysis by Kirk Morrison, and sideline reporting by Dawn Davenport.

The Jayhawks enter this matchup with a record of 5-4 overall and 3-3 in the Big 12 following their recent 38-21 victory over Oklahoma State on November 1. This win marked the fourth consecutive Homecoming victory for Kansas, their longest streak since 1997-2000.

Arizona, hosting Kansas as part of their Homecoming festivities, holds a 5-3 overall record and is 2-3 in conference play. The Wildcats are currently 4-1 at home this season.

Saturday’s game will showcase two of the top quarterbacks in the conference: Kansas’ Jalon Daniels and Arizona’s Noah Fifita, both hailing from Southern California. Daniels, who is enjoying a standout season, has completed 160 of 240 passes for 1,991 yards and 20 touchdowns – ranking fifth in single-season passing touchdowns for Kansas.

In addition to hitting a historic milestone of over 10,000 career yards, Daniels is supported by a strong rushing duo in Kai Thomas and LeShon Williams, who have combined for 10 rushing touchdowns this season.

On defense, Kansas redshirt junior linebacker Rich Miller leads the team with 60 tackles. The Jayhawks have recorded 14 sacks this season, with defensive end Lonnie Phelps contributing 4.5 sacks and showcasing his skills last weekend with a tackle for loss and a blocked field goal.

Arizona’s quarterback Fifita has thrown for 2,042 yards, 21 touchdowns, and four interceptions. He has recorded multiple touchdown passes in five consecutive games and had a standout performance last Saturday, throwing four touchdowns in a 52-17 win against Colorado. The Wildcats have a diversified offensive strategy with five different receivers over 200 yards, led by Tre Spivey, who has six touchdown catches.

This matchup will be the first between the teams since 1966 and is the seventh overall meeting, with Kansas leading the series 3-2-1, including a 3-1 record in Tucson.

After the Arizona game, Kansas will have an open week before traveling to Ames, Iowa, to face Iowa State on November 22 and concluding the regular season at home against Utah on November 28.