Jayhawks snap 18-game losing streak to Sooners after thrilling win

LAWRENCE, Kan. — There’s no denying that Coach Lance Leipold and his team took advantage of their bye-week.

After all, Kansas got players healthy, added wrinkles to the playbook and scouted Oklahoma’s game against UCF. It all paid off Saturday, as the Jayhawks traded punches with the No. 6 Sooners throughout the afternoon, and outlasted them 38-33.

A sold out homecoming crowd witnessed Kansas beat a top-10 at Memorial Stadium for the first time since 1984. Not to mention the Jayhawks snapped an 18-game losing streak to the Sooners, and reached bowl eligibility for a second-straight year. There was an hour weather delay, and the game wasn’t pretty at times, but Leipold secured the signature win of his tenure, and now the team is on cloud nine.

“We got an excited locker room, we’re pretty pumped up,” Leipold said. “I’m just processing everything, the ups and the downs, the emotions, how proud I am of this football team for so many reasons.”

Kansas’ success is a testament to all of the hard work he has put in, with laying down the foundation for the past three years. Now everything is coming to fruition for the Jayhawks, and Leipold believes the best is yet to come. Taking down the Sooners with all of the College Football world watching, is going to send a message to the rest of the Big 12.

Kansas led Oklahoma (7-1) in total offense, first downs, time of possession and yards per play. On top of that, the Jayhawks got off to a fast start, and held the Sooners scoreless in the first quarter for the first time this season. Leipold’s defense forced two turnovers, and the offense turned those into touchdowns.

Quarterback Jason Bean kept the team motivated and had ice water in his veins when it mattered the most. He was picked off twice, but completed 15 of his 32 passes for 218 yards. Bean also had a 38-yard touchdown run. Unlike in the Oklahoma State game, Bean was able to redeem himself late in the fourth quarter after he threw an interception.

With 70 seconds left on the clock on fourth down, Bean completed a 45-yard pass to wideout Lawrence Arnold. Running back Devin Neal scored the go-ahead touchdown on the next play that sent the crowd into a frenzy. Leipold was in awe of how Bean put the team on his back and carried them to the finish line.

“Even in the fourth quarter, he (Bean) throws the interception, and miss some things there, but he just kept fighting,” he said. “That’s all we can ask for him, and to see him make some plays like he did today, I thought that was really special.”

Both teams were able to run the ball, but Kansas (6-2) made it happen in the clutch. Running back Devin Neal generated a team-high, 112 yards on the ground, and Daniel Hishaw added two rushing scores. Arnold led the team with 79 receiving yards, and was targeted by Bean seven times.

Veteran safety Kenny Logan tallied a game-high, 11 tackles, and had 68 punt return yards. Marvin Grant was also a staple in the secondary, and recorded eight stops, including sevin solo. Kansas’ defense gave up some explosive plays at times, but executed on Oklahoma’s last drive to seal the game, and Leipold enjoyed all of it.

“We got some stops when we needed to, maybe it wasn’t always the prettiest, but that’s a good football team,” the 59-year old coach said. “And for us to battle, I’m extremely proud.”

The Jayhawks had 70 recruits in attendance, and Leipold believes the team showed them what their football program is all about. The fans stormed the field, and ripped down the goal post too. The third-year coach feels there’s a monumental shift with the program. Kansas is no longer just a basketball school, with football trending up. Leipold wants the fans to keep filling the stadium, and he’ll continue to strive for better recruits.

Kansas is very much alive in the Big 12 race, with a lot of football left. Leipold just wants to keep his players hungry and humble because they’re starting to see light at the end of the tunnel following this victory.

“We ask a lot, it’s not easy, but under the stage and everything today, weather included, it’s a big win.”