The 1971 Kansas Jayhawks football team represented the University of Kansas in the Big Eight Conference during the 1971 NCAA University Division football season. In their first season under head coach Don Fambrough, the Jayhawks compiled a 4–7 record (2–5 against conference opponents), tied for fifth place in the conference, and were outscored by opponents by a combined total of 286 to 187.^[1][2] They played their home games at Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kansas.

The team's statistical leaders included David Jaynes with 748 passing yards, Delvin Williams with 509 rushing yards and John Schroll with 491 receiving yards.^[3] Kenny Page and Bob Childs were the team captains.^[2]

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance
September 11	Washington State*	Memorial Stadium Lawrence, KS	W 34–0	33,195–37,750
September 18	Baylor*	Memorial Stadium Lawrence, KS	W 22–0	36,362
September 25	at Florida State*	Doak Campbell Stadium Tallahassee, FL	L 7–30	34,784
October 2	at Minnesota*	Memorial Stadium Minneapolis, MN	L 20–38	29,093–30,090
October 9	Kansas State	Memorial Stadium Lawrence, KS (rivalry)	W 39–13	51,151
October 16	at No. 1 Nebraska	Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE (rivalry)	L 0–55	65,542–68,331
October 23	at Iowa State	Clyde Williams Field Ames, IA	L 24–40	31,459
October 30	Oklahoma State	Memorial Stadium Lawrence, KS	L 10–17	38,813
November 6	No. 13 Colorado	Memorial Stadium Lawrence, KS	L 14–35	35,299
November 13	at No. 2 Oklahoma	Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Norman, OK	L 10–56	54,347
November 20	Missouri	Memorial Stadium Lawrence, KS (Border War)	W 7–2	43,464
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game