January 1, 1969 saw the Jayhawks make their second appearance in the Orange Bowl in Miami, Fla., the team's third bowl bid. Now known as the "twelfth man game," the bitter 15-14 loss that was very nearly a victory.

In the final seconds of the game, KU had seemingly stopped Penn State's come from a come-from-behind, two-point conversion attempt to hang on to a 14-13 lead. Officials ruled that KU had 12 men on the field, giving the Nittany Lions a second attempt, which they did not squander.

It was the final game for two Kansas All-Americans, quarterback Bobby Douglass and defensive end John Zook. It was the last year in which KU has had two All-Americans.