When you're one of the nation's best teams — or trying to be — continually playing opponents from a lower level to open the season isn't a great look.
No. 22 Kansas opens its 2024 season against FCS Lindenwood at home on Thursday, Aug. 29, but might not be playing another FCS opponent in 2025 after FBS Schedules reported that Kansas and Stephen F. Austin mutually agreed to cancel a game scheduled for Aug. 30, 2025.
Kansas has played an FCS team in its season opener for the last three years with wins over Missouri State (2023), Tennessee Tech (2022) and South Dakota (2021).
From FBS Schedules: "According to a copy of an agreement obtained from Stephen F. Austin State University via a state of Texas Public Information Act request, the two schools have mutually agreed to cancel the game in 2025 and neither school will owe a cancellation fee. The letter was signed by both schools on July 25, 2024."
Kansas is currently scheduled to open the 2025 season against Fresno State on Aug. 23, 2025.