Devin Neal reflects on Kansas football’s rise ‘out of the dirt’ after crushing Colorado
Kansas senior running back Devin Neal formed both hands into the shape of a heart, acknowledging 56,470 fans who chanted his name as the final seconds ticked off the clock in the Jayhawks’ 37-21 victory over Colorado on Saturday at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
The school’s all-time leading ground gainer and touchdown leader savored every moment of his Senior Day victory over the No 16-ranked team in the country. He rushed for 207 yards and three touchdowns and caught four passes for 80 yards, including a 51-yard reception to open the scoring as KU (5-6, 4-4) kept its hopes alive for bowl eligibility, needing a win over Baylor next Saturday to land a spot in the postseason.
“It was more special for me I guess just because it is my last home game or whatever you want to call it,” Neal said of Arrowhead, a stadium where KU went 3-1 during a season the Jayhawks had to leave Lawrence for their home contests because of ongoing David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium renovations.
“It was special all around. Honestly, Sevi (Morrison, running back) was going to go in the last drive (as KU ran out the clock on the win over the Buffs (8-3, 6-2). “Coach (Lance) Leipold said, ‘Do you want it?’ I said, ‘Sure, why not? Let’s go out this type of way.’’’
So he remained in the game with QB Jalon Daniels and some other seniors on offense.
“It was special to do it in front of that type of crowd. They showed up. They never gave up on us. That was important for us. We loved it for sure,” Neal added of the victory.
Neal, a 5-11, 215-pound graduate of Lawrence High, who did not redshirt during his four-year college career, decided to make the heart sign to the fans on the spur of the moment.
“I mean, it was crazy because I remember my first snap, being a little baby here, 190 pounds, honestly not ready to play,” Neal said. “So many people along this road helped me get to this position. All the fans that that showed up today, they could have easily given up on us. A lot of people did write us off.
“All the support for the guys … we enjoy that. We are humans at the end of the day. To see all the smiles and camaraderie in the locker room … that’s why we play the game. It was a special moment for me. It’ll be a cool moment for me. I try to hold it in, but it was a cool night for me for sure.”
Of the fans chanting his name, he said: “That was cool, too. I feel I’ve given a lot to this university in a lot of different ways. For them to be able to support me one last time at home I appreciate it. The people always have my back. They support me, send me messages. So many supported me through a lot in this journey.
“All I want to do is give back to them any way I can. It definitely makes it more special being from Lawrence and playing for my hometown school, being able to do what we’ve done.”
Neal chose KU in recruiting when the Jayhawks were a downtrodden program. He’s been able to play in a bowl game in two of his first three seasons in Lawrence.
“I remember when I did commit how many people called me crazy and said I was wasting my career,” Neal said. “But a lot of people aren’t going to be able to experience what I have been able to experience. Being able to get a dormant program out of the dirt, out of the mud, disrespected, to this position to sellout crowds … I am never going to forget. That means a lot to me.”
Neal resisted the temptation to check his cell phone for messages as it buzzed repeatedly after the game.
“I kind of muted it a lot,” he said. “That is not what it’s about for me. I want to celebrate with those guys (teammates) and my family, especially after my last home game. I know they are waiting on me. They probably are the ones blowing me up the most.”
Neal did say it was gratifying to have such a big game against Colorado.
The Jayhawks apparently were fired up all week after hearing Buffs’ coaching staff member Warren Sapp call KU QB Jalon Daniels a “jitterbug.” The game was chippy with players on both sides talking … a lot.
“It’s just bulletin board material for us. I mean a lot of talking before playing,” Neal said. “I don’t believe in that. We all know J.D. is not whatever you want to call him. He’s a bigger guy. He makes people miss. We played with an extra edge.”
KU coach Lance Leipold praised Neal after the victory.
“For him to put together a game like this when we needed it, some of the runs after contact (and) big clutch plays were huge,” Leipold said. “He’s truly a special back, and fittingly so for him to play his last home game (like that), no matter where we’re playing at the moment. For him to have that type of game really puts an exclamation mark on his performance and career here.”
Leipold made sure Neal had a lot of carries.
“We talked about it that it’d be a big day for him,” Leipold said. “To have 37 of them says a lot. There are certain times you get in a rhythm, you can feel it, you are seeing things pretty well and you have an idea what’s going on. I thought Jeff Grimes (offensive coordinator) did an outstanding job mixing things up when we needed to. It was a special day for a special guy.”
A guy who wants to have a great game at Baylor Saturday and qualify for a bowl game.
“We still want to play with each other as long as we can, play in late December or whenever that may be,” Neal said.
