Kansas tied
Oklahoma for the 1968 Big Eight championship, the Jayhawks' most recent conference title as of 2022. The Jayhawks, who lost 15-14 to undefeated
Penn State in the
1969 Orange Bowl, were hit hard by graduation going into 1969, including quarterback
Bobby Douglass and defensive end
John Zook, who were NFL starters (with the
Chicago Bears and
Atlanta Falcons, respectively) as rookies.
Archrival
Missouri wrapped up the Big Eight championship with a 69-21 rout at Lawrence in the last game played on natural grass at
Memorial Stadium. As of 2022, that is the Tigers' most recent conference title.
The team's statistical leaders included Phil Basler with 746 passing yards,
John Riggins with 662 rushing yards and John Mosier with 339 receiving yards.[3] Emery Hicks was the team captain.[2]