The 2007 Kansas Jayhawk football team began the season as barely a blip on anyones radar. After their 6-6 campaign in 2006, the college football ranking powers-that-be gave them little or no regard as a team who might possess enough talent to crack the top twenty-five.
'Course, the Kansas football team is pretty used to utter disregard. For years, Kansas has been regarded as an easy 'W' for teams in the hunt for a national title. Kansas week usually meant about thirty minutes of playing time for the opposing starting squad, then a good hard practice for the backups. Heck, Kansas is a basketball school, for Pete's sake. Nothing more than a league doormat on the gridiron.
Problem is, someone forgot to inform head coach Mark Mangino and the rest of the Jayhawk football squad of such this year. Or, maybe they just missed that campus memo.
After beginning the season unranked, Kansas blasted nearly everyone on their schedule as they rose to #2 in the nation, their highest ranking in school history. Once they stubbed their toe against Missouri, though, the critics surfaced again.
"Their schedule was too easy."
"They really weren't that good."
"Told ya so."
And once again, Kansas faded into the college football background in the eyes of most of the nation. Once again, the forgotten Jayhawks. Once again, a doormat. Though their success this season earned them a birth in the Orange Bowl against Virginia Tech, it seemed just a courtesy invite. Surely KU didn't stand a chance. Once again, Mangino and Company missed that memo.
The Jayhawks came to play last night, and they played with the chip on their shoulder they have carried all season. They played intelligently, they played with fire, and they played to win. The entire team seemed to play with a confidence which is normally found in teams who are on the "big stage" year after year. Such has not been the case for Kansas, but one couldn't tell last night. The Jayhawk defense swarmed to the ball, created turnovers, and hit hard. Quarterback Todd Reesing made his mistakes, but made just as many fantastic decisions. The Jayhawks will take their 24-21 season-ending victory and the Orange Bowl trophy home with them. More importantly, they take the respect and admiration of the college football world home with them.
Congratulations, Kansas. Welcome to the big-time. Savor this victory, for it is a special, special moment in the history of your university, and you've earned it!
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3 comments:
Kevin, thanks for the great blog! These are great words from such an avid Husker! Rock Chalk Jayhawk indeed!
My intentions, Jeff, were to reel off one of those Rock Chalk thingys near the end of this blog, but my Husker allegiance just wouldn't allow for it. I tried, my friend. I thought of you a lot during the game the other night - and I look forward to future bantering!
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