Yes ... Kansas beat Texas. In football. How the Jayhawks stunned Longhorns in Austin
Believe it.
Kansas beat Texas in football: 57-56 in overtime.
And not only that, first-year coach Lance Leipold also picked up a lightning-bolt jolt on Saturday for the program he inherited in late April, stunning the college football world on a mild night at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.
“I’m really happy for everyone. I’m happy for our fans,” Leipold said in a small media room afterward just outside KU’s still-celebrating locker room. ” Because in my short time, I know there’s a lot of people that care a lot about this program, and there’s a locker room full of guys that really care about each other.”
This was also an exorcism of a final demon that downtrodden KU hadn’t been able to escape for more than a decade.
The Jayhawks, with the win, picked up their first Big 12 road victory since Oct. 4, 2008. Since then, KU had set a NCAA record by losing 56 straight conference road games, breaking the previous mark of 44 set by the Sewanee (Tennessee) Tigers from 1931-39, according to College Football Reference.
So how did it happen? Third-string quarterback Jalon Daniels was fantastic, defensive end Kyron Johnson had two strip-sacks, and the Jayhawks took advantage of a crazy final three minutes of the first half to build a lead before a dramatic finish.
KU was tied 14-14 then before Daniels scored on a 9-yard touchdown run. Shortly after, Johnson created a turnover around the edge, and Devin Neal followed with a 19-yard touchdown reception on a screen.
Texas went back to its two-minute offense, and KU cornerback Jacobee Bryant jumped a route for a 31-yard pick-six as suddenly, the Jayhawks led 35-14 at the break.
“We’re going to go out and play hard, and no one’s going to question about how we’re going about it,” Leipold said. “That’s what they can’t take away from us. I think (our guys) embrace it and start to understand if you just keep pounding away at things, things will happen.”
KU held on from there in a high-possession second half and OT.
It looked like KU cornerback OJ Burroughs sealed the win with an interception in the end zone with 1:10 left in regulation.
But KU was unable to get a first down, and Texas scored on its last chance with the ball in regulation.
And what an overtime it was. Texas had the first possession and scored to take the lead. Neal answered with a TD for the Jayhawks, and Leipold made the decision to go for two. Win it or lose it.
The Jayhawks won it, as Daniels rolled out right amid a raging charge of chaos and found walk-on fullback Jared Casey in the end zone with a pass that won it all.
Believe it.
“Obviously it’s outstanding tradition, outstanding facility and resources and all those things,” Leipold said of Texas. “So you come in here ... we’re David. They’re Goliath. (But) we go out there and play.”
Casey — a walk-on from Plainville, Kansas — had not taken a snap on offense for KU in his career until Saturday’s game. He moved up the depth chart following injuries to Spencer Roe and Mason Fairchild.
“It just popped into my hands,” Casey said of the catch. “A surreal moment.”
Neal, a Lawrence native, finished with 24 carries for 143 yards with three touchdowns.
“As a little kid, I dreamed of this moment, this crazy environment,” Neal said afterward. “I’ve got nothing but respect for Texas. To put that performance together from all aspects of the game — special teams, offense, defense — it was truly special to be part of.”
Daniels, meanwhile, started his first game this season for KU after Jason Bean and Miles Kendrick were both injured the previous contest against Kansas State. He threw for 202 yards and three touchdowns.
“Outstanding. Amazing,” Leipold said of Daniels. “To play this well after not getting very many reps, to come in with energy, and glancing here statistically ... 21-for-30, that’s amazing. He was accurate.”
KU (2-8, 1-6 Big 12) will play at TCU next week.
And Leipold was already starting to focus his attention on keeping his team grounded late Saturday night.
“It’s one win. We’ve got to build on it,” Leipold said. “This’ll be a great 24, 48 hours. But you have to keep working at it.”
This story was originally published November 13, 2021 at 10:43 PM.
