Kansas Hosts Kansas State in 121st Edition of the Dillons Sunflower Showdown

Via Kansas Athletics

LAWRENCE, Kan. – The Kansas Jayhawks (7-3, 4-3 Big 12) will host the No. 23 Kansas State Wildcats (7-3, 5-2 Big 12) for the 121st edition of the Dillons Sunflower Showdown at 6 p.m. CT on Saturday, November 18 inside David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. The game will serve as Kansas’ home finale and Senior Night.

The game will air on FS1 with Alex Faust (Play-by-Play) and Petros Papadakis (Analyst) on the call. Game action can also be heard across the Jayhawk Radio Network with Brian Hanni (Play-by-Play), David Lawrence (Analyst) and Brandon McAnderson (Sideline) calling the action.

The matchup between the Jayhawks and the Wildcats will be the 121st in the series history, in what is the ninth longest played rivalry game in FBS football and now the longest in KU program history – surpassing Kansas vs. Missouri’s 120 games played from 1891 to 2011. The series has been played every year since 1911, making it the fourth-longest active series in FBS and the second-longest in-state rivalry.

Kansas enters the Dillons Sunflower Showdown with a 7-3 overall record, marking Kansas’ first winning season since 2008. Kansas’ seven wins in its first 10 games are the most in a season since 2007, when Kansas started 10-0.

Kansas is coming off a 16-13 defeat at the hands of Texas Tech on Nov. 11, in which running back Devin Neal rushed for 137 yards and a touchdown. Texas Tech won the game with two seconds remaining on a 30-yard field goal by Gino Garcia. The loss was Kansas’ first at home this season, as the Jayhawks enter Saturday’s contest winning nine of its last 12 home games including a 5-1 record at home this season.

Kansas State is coming off a bounce-back win over Baylor on Nov. 11, as the Wildcats outscored the Bears 59-25 to move to 6-0 at home this season. In a series that dates to 1902, Kansas leads the all-time series at 65-50-5, including a 37-22-2 record in games played in Lawrence.

Kansas Athletics announced Friday that KU will host Kansas State in front of a sold-out crowd at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, the fourth sellout of the season and seventh under head coach Lance Leipold. Fans still looking to attend are encouraged to visit SeatGeek, the official secondary partner of Kansas Athletics.

Kansas will finish off its regular season schedule by traveling to Cincinnati, Ohio to take on the Cincinnati Bearcats on Saturday, November 25. The meeting between the Jayhawks and Bearcats will be the third in the series history and the first as members of the Big 12 Conference. The two teams last played in 1997 in Cincinnati, which the Bearcats won, 34-7. Kansas won the inaugural matchup in 1995 in Lawrence, 23-18.

Hot this week

Missing Two-Year-Old Mitchell County Boy Found Unresponsive in Creek

A massive search for a missing two-year-old boy in Beloit, Kansas, ended tragically when he was found unresponsive in a creek early Friday morning. The search began late Thursday night after reports of his disappearance. The Mitchell County Sheriff's Office expressed grief and an investigation is currently underway.

Marshall County Rail Collision Leaves Local Farmer Dead, Two Train Conductors Injured

HERKIMER, KS — A tragic collision between a farm vehicle and a freight train in northwest Marshall County on Monday afternoon has claimed the life of a local farmer and left two train conductors hospitalized with serious injuries, authorities report.

Flood Watches Issued Across Four States as Heavy Rainfall Threatens the Central Plains

The National Weather Service has issued Flood and Flash Flood Watches for parts of Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, and Missouri due to expected heavy thunderstorms. Significant rainfall could exceed three inches in some areas, prompting warnings across major cities like Omaha and Manhattan. Residents are advised to remain vigilant and prepared for possible flooding.

Tuttle Creek Reservoir Sees Sharp Inflow Rise As Marshall County Rivers Pass Flood Stage

Heavy runoff has caused Tuttle Creek Reservoir to exceed its conservation limits, rising 2.69 feet within 24 hours. Inflows from the Big Blue River surged dramatically, prompting officials to limit outflows to manage potential flooding. Nearby rivers are also under flood warnings, with emergency management monitoring conditions closely, urging residents to stay cautious.

Stop Sign Violation, Possible Mobile Device Use Lead to Three-Vehicle Crash East of Derby; Three Hospitalized

SEDGWICK COUNTY, Kan. — The Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office Major Crash Team is investigating a violent three-vehicle collision east of Derby on Tuesday evening that left three people hospitalized, two in critical condition. Authorities are looking into whether a mobile device played a role in the accident.

Latest Headlines

Chiefs Re-sign Star Cornerback L’Jarius Sneed

The Kansas City Chiefs re-signed cornerback L'Jarius Sneed, who originally joined the team in 2020. During his initial four years, Sneed became a standout player, contributing to the Chiefs' Super Bowl wins in 2022 and 2023. He returns after a two-year stint with Tennessee, enhancing the defense under Steve Spagnuolo.

Caglianone’s Two Home Runs Power Royals Past Rangers 5-3

Jac Caglianone made a remarkable return for the Kansas City Royals, going 3-for-3 with two home runs and three RBIs, leading the team to a 5-3 victory over the Texas Rangers. After an early deficit, Kansas City rallied with a four-run sixth inning to secure their fifth win in six games.

Boil Water Advisory Issued for the City of Haddam, Washington County

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a boil water advisory for Haddam due to a waterline break. Residents are advised to boil water before consumption, dispose of ice, and disinfect surfaces. The advisory, effective June 9, 2026, remains until bacterial contamination risks are resolved. For queries, contact KDHE or local water systems.

Hurricane-Force Winds Leave Trail of Damage Across Ottawa County

Ottawa County is recovering from severe storms that caused extensive damage, particularly in Tescott, where hurricane-force winds uprooted trees and knocked down power lines. The community, now declared a disaster area, is working together to clear debris. A cooling station has been set up for residents without electricity as recovery efforts continue.

Cloud County Jail Reopens and Resumes Normal Operations After Six-Month Staffing Suspension

The Cloud County Jail in Concordia, KS, has reopened after a six-month closure due to staffing shortages. The facility resumed normal operations on June 5, welcoming back staff and inmates. Training for personnel has concluded, and while staffing is nearly complete, recruitment for corrections officers continues. The community's patience during this period was appreciated.

Wichita Police Seize Nine Firearms, Arrest Three Minors After Fight Breaks Out at Teen Party

Wichita police seized nine firearms, including a stolen one, after responding to a disturbance at a short-term rental on June 8. Officials reported a chaotic scene with around 50 attendees and three minors arrested for alcohol violations. The homeowner was unaware of the event and cooperated fully. The investigation continues.
- Advertisement -

Related Articles

Popular Categories

- Advertisement -