KU vs. Lindenwood Lions: Five things to know about Jayhawks’ first football game

The college football season has finally arrived.

And the Kansas Jayhawks play their season opener Thursday against the Lindenwood Lions at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan.

KU was 9-4 last season and could be even better this year. For the first time since 2008, the Jayhawks made the top 25 in both major college football polls. The team’s goal is to win a Big 12 championship.

But Kansas coach Lance Leipold downplays the hype surrounding the Jayhawks.

“My goal is still that we are better today than we were yesterday, and then the wins and the other things will take care of themselves,” he said. “To win a Big 12 championship, that’s really a game that’s not even on the schedule yet, that you haven’t earned it. … I always try to stay away from that.

“Do we have the ability now (to) line up and do those things? Yes. ... We’ve got to go back and play and prove it, because if not, then we will be disappointed.”

Here’s everything you need to know about this week’s season-opening game:

KU football vs. Lindenwood game details

Kickoff: 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29

Where: Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City, Kan.

TV: FS1 Radio: Jayhawk Radio Network; WHB (810) in Kansas City

Early betting line: Kansas is a 44.5-point favorite.

Five Things to Know

1. Lindenwood hasn’t been a Division I football team for long. Two years ago, the Lions transitioned from Division II to Division I. It’s been a bit of a struggle since then. Lindenwood finished 3-7 last year, including 1-5 (last place) in the Big South OVC

2. KU’s cornerbacks must watch for Lions WR Jeff Caldwell. He was a first-team all-conference selection and led the League in TDs, with eight in just nine games. The junior was also one of five Lindenwood players picked as players to watch this season by league media.

3. Expectations around the Lions aren’t high. League media also projected Lindenwood to finish eighth in the Big South OVC. On top of that, this matchup against the Jayhawks is the program’s first game against an FBS opponent since the Lions transitioned to Division I.

4. Lions D-line star Kobe McClendon will test KU’s new-look O-line. Last season, McClendon led Lindenwood with 6.5 sacks. He also had 32 tackles, including 9.5 for losses.

5. Lindenwood’s coach heaps praise on Leipold . Lindenwood coach Jed Stugart praised Leipold when this game was announced. Both were Division II coaches previously. “I have a lot of respect for Coach Leipold, and watching what he’s done at Kansas is incredible,” he said. “Since we’ve been here at Lindenwood, we’ve had a mindset that we’ll play anyone and anywhere.”

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