Kansas football made statement in monumental win over Oklahoma: ‘Change the program’
Kansas football coach Lance Leipold’s voice was completely hoarse as he fielded questions postgame after KU’s 38-33 win over No. 6 Oklahoma.
The Jayhawks (6-2, 3-2 Big 12) ended an 18-game losing streak to OU (7-1, 4-1) and won their first game against the Sooners since 1997, with their backup quarterback, Jason Bean, leading the offense.
Kansas is now bowl eligible for the second straight year in Leipold’s three-year tenure.
Saturday’s game was KU’s first home regular-season win against a top 10 team since 1984, when Kansas beat OU with NFL great Troy Aikman as the opposing QB.
Naturally, Leipold celebrated hard postgame. The Jayhawks’ celebrations included speeches, dances and chants of “Rock Chalk Jayhawk” in the Kansas locker room.
According to Kansas tight end Mason Fairchild and running back Devin Neal, Leipold even cracked a smile postgame — a smile that Neal said only appears after Kansas wins.
A smile that was well-earned after the monumental task that Leipold and his staff have accomplished in Lawrence.
“I’m just processing everything with the ups and downs, (the) emotion,” Leipold said. “How proud I am of this football team for so many reasons — so many today, but so many as a (coach).
“... To find a way to keep battling, come up with stops when we needed them and executing plays on top of that.”
For that, KU’s win was more than just a victory. It represented the progress KU has made under Leipold.
In Leipold’s first season, the Jayhawks led Oklahoma late but fell 35-23 at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. It was just a glimmer of hope for what became a 2-10 Kansas team, but it was a sign of competitiveness that has certainly continued.
Last season, the Jayhawks (6-7, 3-6) made their first bowl appearance since 2008 ... but still lost to OU 52-42.
A year later, KU earned two-decades-plus worth of revenge.
“For us, we really talk about getting our (game) back,” running back Devin Neal said. “That’s what we talk about a lot ... getting our revenge game back.”
That, plus a historic win for a program that’s starting to rack up a few of them up.
Kansas, unranked and seeking bowl eligibility, took down the undefeated Big 12 leader and a College Football Playoff contender.
It’s perhaps KU’s biggest win since the 2007 Orange Bowl season (‘08 bowl game) and certainly the biggest under Leipold.
“It’s big as any,” Leipold said. “I usually don’t do that, but I’m not in the mood right now to downplay this win for a lot of reasons. Hopefully, it’s a sign we can continue to fill this stadium and continue to recruit at a high level.”
A program-changing level.
Before last season, Kansas hadn’t won more than three games in a season since 2009. The Jayhawks have matched last year’s total of six and can eclipse it with plenty more to play.
In the stands, Kansas has had two home sellouts this season and pulled in five in Leipold’s three years in Lawrence.
KU hosted ESPN’s “College Gameday” last year and Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” on Saturday. The other schools to do that: Texas, Ohio State, Colorado and Notre Dame.
That’s the kind of attention Leipold has brought KU. Sellouts, bowl games and national media attention are the new normal in Lawrence.
“We’ve sat here for a long time just trying to keep it even, go steady and not talk about (it),” Leipold said. “You know what, it’s probably time for me to start talking about how proud I am of how far this program has come. It really has in a short time. That has to do with the players ... especially the ones that stuck around (who) believed in the direction.”
Leipold even called it “extra special” to beat a ranked team to become bowl eligible for the second straight year.
It’s also notable that Kansas hosted 70 recruits, Leipold said, in the stands for Saturday’s upset win.
Neal, a Lawrence native, believes its a snapshot of what lies ahead for them if they commit to Kansas.
“It shows them that we are the real deal,” Neal said. “We are a team that’s going to fight until the end. We can beat top-tier teams.”
And beyond that?
“It’s a good message,” Neal said. “Come to Kansas, man. Change the program. That’s what we’re starting. They can be a part of a great legacy.”
