Kansas Football Learns Kickoff Time for Middle Tennessee Matchup
Kansas football now knows when it will return to David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.
The Big 12 announced Monday that Kansas’ Oct. 3 matchup against Middle Tennessee will kick off at 11 a.m. CT and be televised nationally on ESPNU. The announcement came after the Jayhawks’ trip to London for the inaugural Union Jack Classic against Arizona State.
The game will be Kansas’ first Saturday morning kickoff of the season and the Jayhawks’ final nonconference game of the 2026 campaign. It will also be the first meeting between Kansas and Middle Tennessee in program history.
The timing gives Kansas an opportunity to get back to Lawrence and reset after a difficult stretch. The Jayhawks are currently 1-2 following Saturday’s 24-17 loss to Arizona State at Wembley Stadium. Kansas will have an open week before returning home to face the Blue Raiders.
Kansas showed flashes against Arizona State, finishing with 414 total yards while holding the Sun Devils to 228. However, three turnovers proved costly in the seven-point loss. The Jayhawks will now have their bye week to make adjustments before beginning another stretch of games.
Middle Tennessee enters the matchup with a 2-1 record. The Blue Raiders opened the season with a 38-14 victory over Murray State before losing a close 28-26 game at Marshall. They bounced back Saturday by defeating Nevada 27-20.
The Blue Raiders have also received strong play from quarterback Roman Gagliano, who has thrown for 616 yards, six touchdowns and one interception through three games. Running back Antonio Martin Jr., a Kansas State transfer, has already recorded two 100-yard rushing performances this season.
The matchup will also feature a familiar face for Kansas fans. Jayhawks wide receiver Nahzae Cox transferred to Kansas from Middle Tennessee and will face his former team. Cox has four catches for 125 yards and a touchdown so far this season.
For Kansas, the Middle Tennessee game represents more than just the final nonconference matchup. It will be the beginning of a nine-game stretch without another bye week to close out the regular season.
With the kickoff time now set, Kansas knows exactly when its next chapter begins. The Jayhawks will have two weeks to prepare for Middle Tennessee, with an 11 a.m. kickoff on Oct. 3 awaiting them in Lawrence.
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Jimmy Adeniran is a contributor to JayhawksROUNDTABLE. He can be reached at [email protected]
