# 2011 Kansas Jayhawks football team

The 2011 Kansas Jayhawks football team represented the University of Kansas in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Jayhawks were led by second year head coach Turner Gill and played their home games at Memorial Stadium. They were a member of the Big 12 Conference.
The Jayhawks were picked to finish last by most voters in the preseason Big 12 polls. The Jayhawks conference schedule began with a loss at home to Texas Tech and ended with a loss to the Missouri in the Border Showdown game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. The Jayhawks finished with a 2–10 record, 0–9 in Big 12 play, and did not play in a bowl game for the third straight year. The Jayhawks had one of the toughest schedules in the nation. The Jayhawks schedule is currently ranked 4th in the nation according to Collegefootballpoll.com. During the season, the Jayhawks played Texas A&M and Missouri as members of the Big 12 for the final time, as both schools left for the SEC in July 2012.

## Schedule

| Date | Time | Opponent | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| September 3 | 6:00 p.m. | No. 20 (FCS) McNeese State* | Memorial StadiumLawrence, KS | 6Sports | W 42–24 | 41,068 |
| September 10 | 6:00 p.m. | Northern Illinois* | Memorial StadiumLawrence, KS | FCS | W 45–42 | 48,084 |
| September 17 | 11:30 a.m. | at Georgia Tech* | Bobby Dodd StadiumAtlanta, GA | FSN | L 24–66 | 42,025 |
| October 1 | 11:00 a.m. | Texas Tech | Memorial StadiumLawrence, KS | FSN | L 35–46 | 39,621 |
| October 8 | 2:30 p.m. | at No. 7 Oklahoma State | Boone Pickens StadiumStillwater, OK | | L 28–70 | 58,030 |
| October 15 | 8:15 p.m. | No. 1 Oklahoma | Memorial StadiumLawrence, KS | ESPN2 | L 17–47 | 42,580 |
| October 22 | 11:00 a.m. | No. 16 Kansas State | Memorial StadiumLawrence, KS (Sunflower Showdown/Governor's Cup) | FSN | L 21–59 | 47,157 |
| October 29 | 6:00 p.m. | at Texas | Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial StadiumAustin, TX | LHN | L 0–43 | 99,211 |
| November 5 | 11:30 a.m. | at Iowa State | Jack Trice StadiumAmes, IA | FCS | L 10–13 | 51,575 |
| November 12 | 1:00 p.m. | Baylor | Memorial StadiumLawrence, KS | | L 30–31 $^{OT}$ | 35,188 |
| November 19 | 11:00 a.m. | at Texas A&M | Kyle FieldCollege Station, TX | FSN | L 7–61 | 86,411 |
| November 26 | 2:30 p.m. | vs. Missouri | Arrowhead StadiumKansas City, MO (Border War) | FSN | L 10–24 | 47,059 |
| *Non-conference gameHomecomingRankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to the gameAll times are in Central time |||||||

## Game summaries
### McNeese State

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 20 (FCS) Cowboys | 0 | 3 | 13 | 8 | 24 |
| » Jayhawks | 7 | 14 | 7 | 14 | 42 |
at Memorial Stadium • Lawrence, Kansas
* Date: Saturday, September 3, 2011
* Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
* Game attendance: 41,068
* Source:
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | McN | KAN |
| 1 | 5:30 | 8 | 84 | 2:41 | KAN | Daymond Patterson 25-yard touchdown reception from Jordan Webb, Alex Mueller kick good | 0 | 7 |
| 2 | 11:52 | 17 | 68 | 8:31 | McN | 26-yard field goal by Josh Lewis | 3 | 7 |
| 2 | 8:00 | 8 | 73 | 3:47 | KAN | James Sims 1-yard touchdown run, Alex Mueller kick good | 3 | 14 |
| 2 | 1:51 | 12 | 67 | 4:09 | KAN | Tony Pierson 13-yard touchdown run, Alex Mueller kick good | 3 | 21 |
| 3 | 9:48 | 12 | 76 | 5:07 | McN | Champlain Babin 14-yard touchdown reception from Cody Stroud, Josh Lewis kick good | 10 | 21 |
| 3 | 8:02 | 6 | 61 | 1:40 | KAN | JaCorey Shepherd 56-yard touchdown reception from Jordan Webb, Alex Mueller kick good | 10 | 28 |
| 3 | 4:24 | 7 | 51 | 3:28 | McN | Wes Briscoe 32-yard touchdown reception from Riley Dodge, Josh Lewis kick failed | 16 | 28 |
| 4 | 13:20 | 7 | 45 | 2:41 | KAN | Jordan Webb 8-yard touchdown run, Alex Mueller kick good | 16 | 35 |
| 4 | 8:32 | 4 | 64 | 1:21 | McN | Cody Stroud 1-yard touchdown run, 2-point pass good | 24 | 35 |
| 4 | 6:30 | 5 | 70 | 1:56 | KAN | JaCorey Shepherd 48-yard touchdown reception from Jordan Webb, Alex Mueller kick good | 24 | 42 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 24 | 42 |
| Statistics | McN | KAN |
| First downs | 22 | 23 |
| Total yards | 420 | 447 |
| Rushes–yards | 33–95 | 55–301 |
| Passing yards | 339 | 158 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 31–41–0 | 7–10–0 |
| Time of possession | 21:27 | 15:29 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| McNeese State | Passing | Cody Stroud | 22/27, 218 yards, 1 TD |
| McNeese State | Rushing | Riley Dodge | 11 carries, 45 yards |
| McNeese State | Receiving | Champlain Babin | 5 receptions, 108 yards, 1 TD |
| Kansas | Passing | Jordan Webb | 7/10, 146 yards, 3 TD |
| Kansas | Rushing | James Sims | 19 carries, 104 yards, 1 TD |
| Kansas | Receiving | JaCorey Shepherd | 3 receptions, 107 yards, 2 TD |

### Northern Illinois

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Huskies | 7 | 14 | 14 | 7 | 42 |
| » Jayhawks | 7 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 45 |
at Memorial Stadium • Lawrence, Kansas
* Date: Saturday, September 10, 2011
* Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
* Game attendance: 48,084
* Source:
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | NIU | KAN |
| 1 | 7:51 | 11 | 68 | 4:06 | KAN | D.J. Beshears 15-yard touchdown reception from Jordan Webb, Alex Mueller kick good | 0 | 7 |
| 1 | 2:50 | 11 | 74 | 4:58 | NIU | Chandler Harnish 7-yard touchdown run, Nabal Jefferson kick good | 7 | 7 |
| 2 | 13:43 | 5 | 68 | 1:03 | NIU | Chandler Harnish 12-yard touchdown run, Mathew Sims kick good | 14 | 7 |
| 2 | 8:39 | 9 | 53 | 3:28 | NIU | Martel Moore 8-yard touchdown reception from Chandler Harnish, Mathew Sims kick good | 21 | 7 |
| 2 | 4:16 | 12 | 74 | 4:16 | KAN | Darrian Miller 18-yard touchdown run, Alex Mueller kick good | 21 | 14 |
| 2 | 0:17 | 6 | 70 | 1:29 | KAN | Kale Pick 36-yard touchdown reception from Jordan Webb, Alex Mueller kick good | 21 | 21 |
| 3 | 12:59 | 5 | 66 | 1:56 | NIU | Chandler Harnish 26-yard touchdown run, Mathew Sims kick good | 28 | 21 |
| 3 | 10:32 | 7 | 75 | 2:21 | KAN | James Sims 8-yard touchdown run, Alex Mueller kick good | 28 | 28 |
| 3 | 2:55 | 14 | 72 | 5:45 | KAN | James Sims 1-yard touchdown run, Alex Mueller kick good | 28 | 35 |
| 3 | 1:17 | 5 | 65 | 1:32 | NIU | Da'Ron Brown 10-yard touchdown reception from Chandler Harnish, Mathew Sims kick good | 35 | 35 |
| 4 | 8:50 | 16 | 73 | 7:24 | KAN | 27-yard field goal by Alex Mueller | 35 | 38 |
| 4 | 5:03 | 11 | 85 | 3:41 | NIU | Jasmin Hopkins 1-yard touchdown run, Mathew Sims kick good | 42 | 38 |
| 4 | 0:09 | 11 | 47 | 4:40 | KAN | D.J. Beshears 6-yard touchdown reception from Jordan Webb, Alex Mueller kick good | 42 | 45 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 42 | 45 |
| Statistics | NIU | KAN |
| First downs | 27 | 32 |
| Total yards | 462 | 534 |
| Rushes–yards | 29–147 | 60–253 |
| Passing yards | 315 | 297 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 27–33–0 | 21–30–0 |
| Time of possession | 13:54 | 22:03 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Northern Illinois | Passing | Chandler Harnish | 27/33, 315 yards, 2 TD |
| Northern Illinois | Rushing | Chandler Harnish | 11 carries, 89 yards, 3 TD |
| Northern Illinois | Receiving | Nathan Palmer | 9 receptions, 86 yards |
| Kansas | Passing | Jordan Webb | 21/30, 281 yards, 3 TD |
| Kansas | Rushing | James Sims | 26 carries, 110 yards, 2 TD |
| Kansas | Receiving | D.J. Beshears | 7 receptions, 70 yards, 2 TD |

### At Georgia Tech

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Jayhawks | 7 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 24 |
| » Yellow Jackets | 14 | 10 | 28 | 14 | 66 |
at Bobby Dodd Stadium • Atlanta, Georgia
* Date: Saturday, September 17, 2011
* Game time: 11:30 a.m. CDT (12:30 p.m. local EDT)
* Game attendance: 42,025
* Source:
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | KAN | GT |
| 1 | 12:33 | 1 | 95 | 0:14 | GT | Orwin Smith 95-yard touchdown run, Justin Moore kick good | 0 | 7 |
| 1 | 7:09 | 11 | 72 | 5:16 | KAN | Darrian Miller 10-yard touchdown run, Alex Mueller kick good | 7 | 7 |
| 1 | 0:06 | 4 | 44 | 1:43 | GT | Roddy Jones 4-yard touchdown run, Justin Moore kick good | 7 | 14 |
| 2 | 9:03 | 13 | 71 | 5:57 | KAN | Darrian Miller 11-yard touchdown run, Alex Mueller kick good | 14 | 14 |
| 2 | 7:32 | 5 | 72 | 1:25 | GT | David Sims 19-yard touchdown run, Justin Moore kick good | 14 | 21 |
| 2 | 0:39 | 8 | 73 | 3:09 | GT | 24-yard field goal by Justin Moore | 14 | 24 |
| 2 | 0:00 | 5 | 65 | 0:35 | KAN | 28-yard field goal by Alex Mueller | 17 | 24 |
| 3 | 14:39 | 1 | 63 | 0:11 | GT | Embry Peebles 63-yard touchdown run, Justin Moore kick good | 17 | 31 |
| 3 | 10:34 | 4 | 74 | 2:23 | GT | Orwin Smith 67-yard touchdown reception from Tevin Washington, Justin Moore kick good | 17 | 38 |
| 3 | 6:55 | 1 | 52 | 0:07 | GT | Roddy Jones 52-yard touchdown reception from Tevin Washington, Justin Moore kick good | 17 | 45 |
| 3 | 3:30 | 6 | 74 | 2:17 | GT | David Sims 21-yard touchdown run, Justin Moore kick good | 17 | 52 |
| 4 | 11:44 | 10 | 68 | 5:23 | GT | Synjyn Days 2-yard touchdown run, Justin Moore kick good | 17 | 59 |
| 4 | 5:13 | 8 | 75 | 4:16 | GT | Charles Perkins 3-yard touchdown run, Justin Moore kick good | 17 | 66 |
| 4 | 2:24 | 9 | 63 | 2:41 | KAN | Andrew Turzilli 10-yard touchdown reception from Quinn Mecham, Alex Mueller kick good | 24 | 66 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 24 | 66 |
| Statistics | KAN | GT |
| First downs | 19 | 24 |
| Total yards | 362 | 768 |
| Rushes–yards | 42–151 | 50–604 |
| Passing yards | 212 | 175 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 17–27–0 | 4–7–0 |
| Time of possession | 19:07 | 16:26 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Kansas | Passing | Jordan Webb | 11/19, 148 yards |
| Kansas | Rushing | Darrian Miller | 11 carries, 53 yards, 2 TD |
| Kansas | Receiving | D.J. Beshears | 5 receptions, 65 yards |
| Georgia Tech | Passing | Tevin Washington | 4/7, 164 yards, 2 TD |
| Georgia Tech | Rushing | Orwin Smith | 5 carries, 157 yards, 1 TD |
| Georgia Tech | Receiving | Orwin Smith | 2 receptions, 108 yards, 1 TD |

### Texas Tech

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| » Red Raiders | 7 | 17 | 21 | 0 | 45 |
| Jayhawks | 20 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 34 |
at Memorial Stadium • Lawrence, Kansas
* Date: Saturday, October 1, 2011
* Game time: 11:00 a.m. CDT
* Game attendance: 39,621
* Source:
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | TTU | KAN |
| 1 | 13:10 | 4 | 41 | 1:50 | KAN | James Sims 11-yard touchdown run, Alex Mueller kick failed | 0 | 6 |
| 1 | 10:23 | 5 | 75 | 1:46 | KAN | Brandon Bourbon 51-yard touchdown run, Alex Mueller kick good | 0 | 13 |
| 1 | 3:39 | 5 | 25 | 2:54 | KAN | Tim Biere (KAN) fumble recovered by Kale Pick in end zone for touchdown, Alex Mueller kick good | 0 | 20 |
| 1 | 1:35 | 7 | 52 | 2:04 | TTU | DeAndre Washington 1-yard touchdown run, Donnie Carona kick good | 7 | 20 |
| 2 | 14:22 | 1 | 25 | 0:29 | TTU | Eric Ward 40-yard touchdown reception from Seth Doege, Donnie Carona kick good | 14 | 20 |
| 2 | 10:48 | 6 | 45 | 1:00 | TTU | Jacoby Franks 13-yard touchdown reception from Seth Doege, Donnie Carona kick good | 21 | 20 |
| 2 | 7:54 | 5 | 37 | 0:49 | TTU | 46-yard field goal by Donnie Carona | 21 | 20 |
| 2 | 0:47 | 10 | 62 | 3:38 | KAN | Rell Lewis 19-yard touchdown reception from Jordan Webb, Alex Mueller kick good | 24 | 27 |
| 3 | 11:23 | 12 | 91 | 3:37 | TTU | Eric Stephens 8-yard touchdown run, Donnie Carona kick good | 31 | 27 |
| 3 | 5:21 | 11 | 80 | 3:29 | TTU | Eric Stephens 1-yard touchdown run, Donnie Carona kick good | 38 | 27 |
| 3 | 2:49 | 8 | 64 | 2:07 | TTU | Eric Ward 18-yard touchdown reception from Seth Doege, Donnie Carona kick good | 45 | 27 |
| 4 | 3:30 | 5 | 45 | 1:12 | KAN | AJ Steward 10-yard touchdown reception from Jordan Webb, Alex Mueller kick good | 45 | 34 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 45 | 34 |
| Statistics | TTU | KAN |
| First downs | 28 | 26 |
| Total yards | 530 | 478 |
| Rushes–yards | 40–164 | 51–239 |
| Passing yards | 373 | 244 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 29–46–1 | 16–22–3 |
| Time of possession | 17:30 | 23:37 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Texas Tech | Passing | Seth Doege | 29/46, 366 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT |
| Texas Tech | Rushing | Eric Stephens Jr. | 26 carries, 124 yards, 2 TD |
| Texas Tech | Receiving | Cornelius Douglas | 4 receptions, 98 yards |
| Kansas | Passing | Jordan Webb | 16/22, 239 yards, 3 TD, 3 INT |
| Kansas | Rushing | Brandon Bourbon | 10 carries, 101 yards, 1 TD |
| Kansas | Receiving | D.J. Beshears | 3 receptions, 76 yards |

## Postseason coaching change

Following their 59–21 loss to rival Kansas State, Kansas Athletic Director Sheahon Zenger, expressed his displeasure to the Jayhawks performance during the season in a press conference. In the press conference, Zenger said "I don't expect any player, coach, administrator, fan or alum to accept the performance on the field today or in recent weeks. We will get this thing fixed. We will continue to evaluate the program on a week-by-week basis. At the University of Kansas, we will never make complete evaluations until the season is complete and the body of work is in." Many local sports analysts interpreted that statement as Zenger officially putting head coach Turner Gill on the "hotseat" meaning he could be fired if things do not change. The day after losing KU's final game of the season to Missouri, Zenger fired Turner Gill who had a 5–19 record, 1–16 within the conference. Former Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis was hired to replace him on December 8.