Players, fans celebrate as Jayhawks attain bowl eligibility for first time since 2008
Thousands of University of Kansas students poured onto the field and raced toward the south end zone goalposts after the final horn sounded in KU’s 37-16 football victory over Oklahoma State on Saturday at Booth Memorial Stadium.
The students ripped down the posts and carried them to nearby Potter Lake, where they soaked the posts while celebrating bowl eligibility for their Jayhawks for the first time since 2008.
KU’s convincing win over OSU was its sixth victory of the season against three losses. It takes six wins in a 12-game season for a team to be eligible for a bowl.
“I think it’s awesome,” second-year coach Lance Leipold said of the goalposts coming down. “Again, we have a special fan base here who has been through a lot.
“To see the students take that opportunity, you know it’s pretty (special),” Leipold added, his voice trailing off.
The Jayhawks went 2-10 in 2021, Leipold’s first season at KU.
“As I told them (his players), I’m really proud of them, happy,” Leipold said. “If you look, some guys have been around a long time. They’ve kind of gone through adversity and stayed with this program. Holistically (it’s great) for the school.
“I told them (Jayhawks in locker room) we are pretty demanding in things. There’s a reason we are, for moments like this. To see them play well … I thought we were physical today. They did some things that challenged us.”
The No. 18-ranked Cowboys fell to 6-3 (3-3 Big 12).
KU quarterback Jason Bean, who played for the Jayhawks’ 2-10 team a year ago, celebrated bowl eligibility wildly with his teammates in a happy locker room.
“It means everything,” Bean said. “This is everything I dreamed of for this team and the city.”
Of the goalposts getting tossed into Potter Lake, Bean — who threw for two TDs and rushed for another Saturday — said: “It’s been a while since we’ve been bowl eligible. What better way to do it against a really good team. I’m happy for the fans who were able to do that (celebrate). I think everybody feels the excitement and happiness. I’m just thankful.”
Running back Devin Neal was in grade school the last time the Jayhawks qualified for a bowl. On Saturday, he did his part to secure KU’s sixth win by rushing for 224 yards and catching a half-dozen passes for 110 yards.
“It was special,” Neal said of the locker room celebration. “The amount of work we put in the offseason to get to this point … we’re not done yet. To be able to accomplish this means a lot.”
Neal, who played his high school football in Lawrence, shared the joyous moment with his parents, hugging them on the field after the game and in the locker room facility.
“They know how much playing here has meant to me,” the former Lawrence High star said. “To share this (bowl news) with them is something I feel blessed to do.”
This story was originally published November 5, 2022 at 8:48 PM.
