Jayhawks in contention for spot in Big 12 title game. ‘We’re proud but not satisfied’
Kansas football coach Lance Leipold heard from a bunch of friends, family members and coaching peers around the country in the aftermath of Saturday’s 37-16 victory over Oklahoma State at Booth Memorial Stadium.
“I think it hit 150 (texts) the other night,” Leipold said during his weekly news conference Monday held in advance of Saturday’s Big 12 battle between KU (6-3) and Texas Tech (4-5, 2-4), set for a 6 p.m. kickoff in Lubbock, Texas.
Folks were quick to recognize Leipold for directing the Jayhawks to six victories in nine games. Six wins have qualified the Jayhawks for the school’s first bowl appearance since 2008 in Leipold’s second season at KU.
“There were a few more this morning,” Leipold added of well-wishes via text. “Whether it be friends or colleagues, people around the country, of course boosters and things like that that who acknowledge the work of the team — where we’re at, so that’s good. At the same time we have a lot of work to do yet.”
With three games left to play in the regular season, the Jayhawks have not been eliminated from contention for a spot in the Big 12 championship game, Dec. 3 in Arlington, Texas. That game matches the top two teams in the regular-season standings.
Right now, KU is in a tie for fifth in the league with Oklahoma State at 3-3. TCU is in first at 6-0 with three teams (Kansas State, Texas, Baylor) tied for second at 4-2. Oklahoma and Texas Tech are tied for seventh at 2-4. Iowa State and West Virginia are 1-5.
A victory over Texas Tech on Saturday would have KU over .500 in league play at 4-3 heading into a home game against Texas and road game versus Kansas State, two teams just a game ahead of the Jayhawks.
It’s safe to say very few individuals in the college football world predicted KU would have a shot at participating in the Big 12 title game when the team first took the field in August.
“Yes absolutely. I wouldn’t shy away from that,” Leipold said, asked if he “feels good” that his team is in the league race following last year’s (2-10) debut season in Lawrence.
“So much that this group has done and embraced and the job our coaches and staff have done, but that’s probably a few weeks to months down the road to truly reflect on. But yes (I) would say we’re proud but not satisfied,” Leipold added.
He hasn’t spent any time studying the possibilities yet.
“Somebody was saying something, or whatever I heard, I glanced at it,” he said of the standings and what’s ahead for the contenders. “It’s so balanced. I think in matchups this year you don’t even know where that fits. We talked about playing well down the stretch. There’s a lot of things that are possible. I guess I’ll just leave it that way. That’s probably the best way to look at it.
“We talked about yes it was a big day for us last week and a chance now we get to play a 13th game, but it’s something we can’t be content about and satisfied and still want to make sure we grow and continue to be the program we want to be here the last three weeks.”
Leipold didn’t give injury updates on specific players only to say the team remained hobbled by injuries entering Week 10.
“It’s a growing list,” he said of the injured list. “On Saturday one side of the ball or another … every eight to 10 plays there was a stoppage (to treat injured players). You read or see stuff about other teams, whatever it is it’s pretty consistent unfortunately in college football.
“Who and when they are available, we’ll see as the week goes. Today we had to modify a lot of things we normally do Monday to get in more walking, teaching, installation as far as going full speed. The next few days are important in getting it executed,” Leipold stated.
Neal honored by Big 12
KU’s Devin Neal on Monday was named the Big 12 Conference offensive player of the week. Neal, a sophomore running back out of Lawrence High, rushed for 224 yards on 32 carries and had 110 receiving yards off six catches in Kansas’ victory over No. 18 Oklahoma State.
Neal became the first Jayhawk in school history with 200+ rushing yards and 100+ receiving yards in a game. His 334 combined yards are the most since 1991, when Tony Sands combined for 398 yards (396 rush, 2 receiving) against Missouri.
Neal’s Big 12 offensive player of the week honor is the second of the season for the Jayhawks. Jalon Daniels was named Big 12 offensive player of the week on Sept. 19. Kansas now has two Big 12 Conference offensive player of the week honors for the first time in school history.
Kansas’ Lonnie Phelps was named the Big 12 defensive player of the Week on Sept. 5, followed by Cobee Bryant being named defensive player of the week on Sept. 12.
This story was originally published November 7, 2022 at 1:37 PM with the headline "Jayhawks in contention for spot in Big 12 title game. ‘We’re proud but not satisfied’."
