When the Kansas Jayhawks open their 2025 football season at David Booth Memorial Stadium, the opponent on the other side of the field will be an unfamiliar one: the Long Island University Sharks.
LIU, a Division I FCS program competing in the Northeast Conference, has been building momentum since its first FBS victory over Eastern Michigan last year, a 28‑23 upset that sparked a five‑win stretch in the final six games of the season.
At the helm of that surge is head coach Ron Cooper, whose four‑decade career includes stints in college ranks and a tenure coaching defensive backs for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, lending a professional pedigree to the Sharks’ scheme.
The offensive catalyst is quarterback Ethan Greenwood, who in 2025 amassed 645 passing yards while also contributing 416 rushing yards, showcasing a dual‑threat style that blends arm strength with a run‑first option attack.
Defensively, cornerback Trey Watkins has emerged as a playmaker, tying for second in the FCS with interceptions and earning a preseason All‑America Third Team nod after a standout career in New Jersey.
Adding depth to the defense, redshirt junior Kezni Brown finished the previous season with 15 tackles, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble, earning preseason All‑NEC recognition as the Sharks look to shore up a unit that performed well against a Power Five opponent.
Beyond the individual storylines, the matchup marks the fourth encounter between LIU and a Big 12 school, with prior defeats to TCU, Baylor and West Virginia, underscoring the Sharks’ growing willingness to test themselves against top‑tier competition.
A Test for the Jayhawks
Kansas will be looking to translate its offseason preparations into a strong start, but the Sharks’ blend of experience, confidence and unconventional offensive tactics presents a unique challenge for the traditional powerhouse.