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Kansas Names Isaiah Marshall Starter as Jayhawks Prepare to Host LIU

Coach Lance Leipold’s choice signals a run-focused plan for a lopsided home opener and a chance to protect game film ahead of a tougher road ahead.

Check out Kansas football's depth chart for its 2026 regular season opener against LIU.
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Kansas football quarterback Isaiah Marshall (8) works on drills during practice at KU on April 9, 2026.
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Overview

  • The Jayhawks will open the regular season Friday, Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. CT at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium with the game televised on ESPNU and streamed on ESPN+.
  • Kansas announced redshirt sophomore Isaiah Marshall as the starting quarterback after a fall-camp competition, with coach Lance Leipold citing Marshall’s command, growth, and running vision.
  • Redshirt junior Cole Ballard was passed over for the starting role but retained a leadership position as a team captain and, according to Leipold, has responded maturely to the decision.
  • Betting markets listed Kansas as an overwhelming favorite — FanDuel showed a 39.5-point spread as of Aug. 30 — and LIU enters off a 42-21 loss at North Dakota, underscoring a likely mismatch.
  • The opener kicks off a stretch that includes a Sept. 11 home game against Missouri and a Sept. 19 neutral-site matchup with Arizona State as Kansas looks to rebound in Leipold’s sixth season after back-to-back 5-7 campaigns.