photo by: Charlie Riedel/Associated Press

Kansas head coach Lance Leipold leads his team onto the field before a game against Oklahoma on Oct. 23, 2021.

The calendar for Lance Leipold’s second season coaching the Kansas football team is now set. The Big 12 announced Wednesday dates for all conference games in 2022, making the Jayhawks’ complete schedule official.

As it turns out, KU will play in the Big 12’s opening game next year, with a Sept. 2 road matchup with West Virginia serving as the only league game being played in Week 2. It marks the earliest KU has played a conference game since Aug. 31, 2002, when the Jayhawks kicked off their season at Iowa State.

On the weekend of the first full slate of Big 12 games in 2022, KU will play its conference home opener against Iowa State, on Oct. 1, at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.

The Jayhawks get one more home game — Oct. 8 versus TCU — before playing consecutive road games at Oklahoma and Baylor.

After closing out the month of October with a bye week, KU’s home stretch for 2022 will feature alternating home and away dates. The last third of the season begins at home on Nov. 5, when Oklahoma State will visit Lawrence. From there, the Jayhawks travel to Texas Tech, face Texas at home, and then finish the season with a rivalry road matchup versus Kansas State.

The Sunflower Showdown in Manhattan to close the schedule will mark the first time since 2018 that the two rivals square off to finish the year.

The Jayhawks will have four Big 12 home dates and five conference games on the road next year — the reverse of the 2021 schedule breakdown.

During the nonconference portion of the schedule in 2022, KU will open its season versus an FCS opponent, Tennessee Tech, at home on Sept. 3.

After the early road trip to WVU, the Jayhawks will be on the road again for a Sept. 17 matchup with Houston. In the nonconference finale, Duke will visit Lawrence on Sept. 24.

Kickoff times and TV and streaming details for KU’s full schedule have not yet been announced.

The Big 12 calendar is set to feature a 10-team, nine-game, round robin format for the 12th consecutive season. Of course, that could potentially change if Texas and Oklahoma somehow find a feasible way to exit for the SEC early.

The 2022 Big 12 Championship Game is scheduled for Dec. 3 at AT & T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Kansas football 2022 schedule

Sept. 3 – Tennessee Tech

Sept. 10 – at West Virginia

Sept. 17 – at Houston

Sept. 24 – Duke

Oct. 1 – Iowa State

Oct. 8 – TCU

Oct. 15 – at Oklahoma

Oct. 22 – at Baylor

Nov. 5 – Oklahoma State

Nov. 12 – at Texas Tech

Nov. 19 – Texas

Nov. 26 – at Kansas State