Kansas will get an early start for its Oct. 3 meeting with Middle Tennessee.
The Big 12 announced Monday that the Jayhawks’ matchup with the Blue Raiders is set for an 11 a.m. CT kickoff and will air nationally on ESPNU. The game comes after Kansas returns from London, where it played Arizona State in the inaugural Union Jack Classic.
It will be the first Saturday morning kickoff of the season for Kansas, and it closes out the team’s nonconference schedule for the 2026 campaign. It’s also the first time Kansas and Middle Tennessee have ever met on the football field.
The timing gives the Jayhawks a chance to regroup after a rough stretch. Kansas is 1-2 after Saturday’s 24-17 loss to Arizona State at Wembley Stadium, and it will have a bye week before coming back to Lawrence.
There were bright spots in the loss. Kansas piled up 414 total yards and limited the Sun Devils to 228, but three turnovers swung the game the wrong way. The open week now gives the Jayhawks a chance to clean things up before the next run of games begins.
Middle Tennessee arrives at 2-1. The Blue Raiders opened with a 38-14 win over Murray State, then dropped a tight 28-26 decision at Marshall before rebounding Saturday with a 27-20 victory over Nevada.
Quarterback Roman Gagliano has been a major reason for that start. Through three games, he has thrown for 616 yards, six touchdowns and one interception. Running back Antonio Martin Jr., a Kansas State transfer, has also made an impact with two 100-yard rushing games already.
There will be a little extra familiarity in this one for Kansas fans, too. Jayhawks receiver Nahzae Cox transferred to Kansas from Middle Tennessee and will face his old team. Cox has totaled four catches for 125 yards and a touchdown this season.
For Kansas, this is more than just another nonconference date. It opens a nine-game stretch without another bye week to finish the regular season.
Now the date and time are locked in. Kansas has two weeks to prepare, and on Oct. 3 at 11 a.m. CT, the Jayhawks will be back in Lawrence with Middle Tennessee waiting.
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Kansas Showed Promise In London But One Problem Still Looms
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