Jason Bean on ending to 2023 season: 'It's a lot better ending than last year'

Jason Bean and the Kansas Jayhawks enjoyed a successful 2023 season, ending on a high note with a victory in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl over the UNLV Rebels.

During the victory back in December, Bean was incredible. The Jayhawks signal-caller passed for 449 yards and six touchdowns in Kansas’ 49-36 victory. Afterwards, speaking with the media, Bean elaborated on what it meant to end the season on such an amazing performance.

“It’s a lot better ending than last year,” Bean said, regarding the way the Jayhawks finished 2023. “I’m just thankful for the way that this team played tonight. They played their guts out. I’m just thankful.”

It’s been a steady climb for Kansas under Lance Leipold, and Bean helped steady the ship as quarterback Jalon Daniels dealt with a litany of injuries over the last two seasons. He’s become a phenomenal player in his own right, and he’s no longer simply a backup for Kansas.

Moving forward, it remains to be seen what the future holds for Jason Bean and the Jayhawks. Nevertheless, the quarterback will always be able to look back on 2023 fondly, knowing he did everything he could to succeed with the program.

Lance Leipold believes Kansas can contend for Big 12 Championship

Meanwhile, Kansas has done nothing but ascend since Lance Leipold took over. Once at the bottom of the college football world, the Jayhawks just pulled off their first winning season since 2008. Another win was added to the 8-4 regular season after taking down UNLV in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl.

Even with a ton of progress being made, Leipold is still looking to take another step forward. He believes Kansas has the opportunity to compete for a Big 12 Championship. Not just in the future but beginning in 2024 thanks to the players returning the Lawrence.

“We’ve talked about putting ourselves in a position, with the amount of players we have returning, that we can be in a conversation to compete for a conference championship,” Leipold said. “I don’t think I ever thought I would be saying that this quick into this time here at Kansas. And it’s because of [the players] and what they’ve done. 

“Their belief in one another, belief in what we do, and continually striving to get better each and every day. Hopefully, this is just the beginning of having these type of opportunities.”

To find Kansas’ last conference championship in football, you would have to go back to 1968 when the Big 8 was still around. There are eight in total, with three of them coming before the 20th century. It’s been a long time for the Jayhawks but Leipold is confident in where the program stands.