Jayhawks, Wildcats to Play 124th Sunflower Showdown

Kansas and Kansas State will face off on the gridiron this Saturday.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Football

Jayhawks, Wildcats to Play 124th Sunflower Showdown

The Kansas Jayhawks and the Kansas State Wildcats are set to compete in the 124th installment of the Sunflower Showdown on October 17, 2026. This long-standing state rivalry highlights a pivotal matchup on the upcoming college football schedule.

Why it matters

The game represents a historic chapter in the rivalry between two of the state's most prominent athletic programs. It brings together local communities as fans prepare for the latest installment of this storied contest.

This marks the 124th official meeting in the series history between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Kansas State Wildcats. The total number of past installments serves as the benchmark for this upcoming rivalry game.

The players

Leyton Cure

He is a football player currently competing for the Kansas Jayhawks.

Linkon Cure

He is a football player currently competing for the Kansas State Wildcats.

Kansas Jayhawks

They are the collegiate football team representing the University of Kansas.

Kansas State Wildcats

They are the collegiate football team representing Kansas State University.

The details

The upcoming game features brothers Leyton Cure, who plays for the Kansas Jayhawks, and Linkon Cure, who represents the Kansas State Wildcats. Both players hail from Goodland, Kansas, adding a personal connection to the statewide rivalry.

The 124th Sunflower Showdown takes place on October 17, 2026.

Season Trajectory

This game follows a pattern set by the Sunflower Showdown throughout the history of the series. The matchup represents a critical point in the season for both schools as they compete for dominance within the state.

The game determines the current standing in the 124th historical series between these two state rivals. Players from the same hometown, Leyton and Linkon Cure, will be on opposite sides of the field during this contest.

The takeaway

This rivalry game highlights the competitive spirit of collegiate football in the state of Kansas. Fans can watch for how the brothers, Leyton and Linkon Cure, perform against one another in this milestone event.