Monday Rewind: Texas

Posted by Matt Tait October 29, 2012 at 12:17 p.m.

A Kansas fan expresses the sentiments of some of those remaining following the Jayhawks' heartbreaking 21-17 loss to Texas on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012 at Memorial Stadium. by Nick Krug

Saturday’s 21-17 loss to Texas may have been the Kansas University football team’s seventh straight this season and 17th consecutive Big 12 Conference defeat in the past three seasons, but it proved memorable for another reason.

As the heartbroken Jayhawks made the walk from the Memorial Stadium turf to their locker room, KU fans lined both sides of the rope walkway to show their support for the effort, as KU led the Longhorns until 12 seconds remained in the game.

The show of support might not have eliminated the sting entirely, but it meant something, especially to the guys who had been here the longest and endured losing season after losing season.

“We recognize it,” said senior safety Bradley McDougald. “And we appreciate it.”

It was not just the support after the game that McDougald said meant something. He said the loud and proud Memorial Stadium crowd of more than 40,000 motivated and inspired the Jayhawks while on the field.

“It was the fourth quarter, we went back out there and you could just feel the excitement in the air, everybody was on their feet just ready to go,” McDougald recalled. “But the thing that stuck out to me was I looked over to the student section and there was a sign that said, “We Still Believe.” Even though we’ve been through our ups and downs, I know there’s still 5-10 percent of our fans that truly believe through thick and thin and those die-hard fans are the guys we play for.”

At 1-7 overall and 0-5 in Big 12 play, the Jayhawks now are officially eliminated from bowl contention, though nobody really thought such talk would come into play this season anyway.

Still, it bears mention because it demonstrates what these guys are playing for. Week after week, as the Jayhawks line up as double-digit underdogs in the tough-as-nails Big 12 Conference, there are no title implications on the line, no computer rankings to consider. Yet still, week after week, guys like McDougald and Toben Opurum and James Sims and several others lay it all on the line for themselves, their team, their school and their pride.

There are a dozen different statistics and areas of progress that point to the improvement this team is making and has made throughout the course of the 2012 season. But few of them are as important to the big picture as the fact that fans are still there.

Sure, you’ve already heard from the group that merely looks at football season as an appetizer to basketball, which begins its exhibition schedule Tuesday night at Allen Fieldhouse. But those fans are going to think that way year in and year out, no matter how well the football team does.

More impressive is the group that has continued to show up at Memorial Stadium on Saturdays. More than 40,000 watched KU nearly knock off Texas last weekend. A couple of weeks earlier, more than 31,000 showed up for the close call against Oklahoma State on a day that many players’ parents might not have made it out because of the weather. The best part about that one? Even after taking cover for a weather delay that lasted an hour and 19 minutes, many fans filed back in to support the Jayhawks and witness the near comeback.

From the time he arrived in town, KU coach Charlie Weis emphasized the role the fans would play in helping KU football rebuild. It’s clear, based on their support throughout a one-win season, that the die-hards heard Weis’ words loud and clear and have been happy to do their part.

Last Saturday, they almost were rewarded with a big-time upset of mighty Texas that had been 70-plus years in the making. It didn’t happen, but here’s betting what those fans saw during that one will inspire them to come back strong for KU’s home finale on Nov. 17 vs. Iowa State.

“I think the team knows, ‘Hey, we can hang with the big boys. We can beat the big boys,’” Weis said after the latest loss.

It seems the fan base now believes that, too. The win total may not improve, but, around here, getting the fans to believe is as big a step as any.

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bad_dog 6 months, 4 weeks ago

I too, still believe.

Thanks for all your in-depth coverage, Matt. Given the subject choices and tone of your columns it's apparent you still have your head in the game.

Reuben_J_Cogburn 6 months, 4 weeks ago

It's goosebump inspiring, Matt.

I was there, too. And it's amazing to see those who still believe. This time last year, that would not be the case.

I'm proud, boys. Stay the course. Keep the Faith.

Rock Chalk.

Displayhawk 6 months, 4 weeks ago

Keep sawin' wood! ........ NO WAIT! ........ ummm ....... Get'r Done!

Reuben_J_Cogburn 6 months, 4 weeks ago

Love the sarcasm, brother. Good stuff.

bville_hawk 6 months, 4 weeks ago

Coach Weis tweeted last night:

"Sunday meetings over. Back out to practice. Best remedy to move forward is hard work! No pity party! No excuses! Just work even harder!"

No question, we are on the right track with the right coach. Remain patient, good things are coming down the road.

Reuben_J_Cogburn 6 months, 4 weeks ago

+1. Knew I could count on you to make a rational statement.

ralster 6 months, 4 weeks ago

I was at the game. A true down-to-the-end battle. At times our mistakes were horrendous, and most of the day our D uglied-up the TX offense. Credit TX for making the plays when they had to. But a real battle, and yet another sign of methodical progress...just not showing up in the W column. And true that nobody needs the moral-type victory, as everybody would want the real W. But it is baby steps, and Campo is doing a great job with what little he had. Good looking LB corps coming up. Now the finesse offense may be sandbagged a bit for next year, as we know thats what Weis loves (passing), and with Heaps+McCay+Turzilli+Mundine+Pierson+Sims+Cox...we may get off to a WAY better start next year. This year is an experience builder, reps, conditioning, etc..., etc.... But the boys need to taste a W. I think we'll get 1 more this baby-step season. RCJH. I LOVED THE EFFORT. Also, thanks to the fans that stayed to the end (most ALL did, from where I was on the 50yd line)!!!

TenaciousD 6 months, 4 weeks ago

I'm an out of stater so I won't make a game this year until Iowa State. Just curious... is the team still singing the school song with the student section after the games?

Reuben_J_Cogburn 6 months, 4 weeks ago

Yes. Alma Mater in front of the student section.

Didn't know how I felt about it at first, but I gotta tell you, it actually meant something this past Saturday. And I think it's going to be a great tradition.

The fans also stayed to applaud our guys running off the field. Kudos.

raprichard 6 months, 4 weeks ago

You are absolutely right that it meant something this time. This is the first game where I actually felt that pride and appreciation when singing the alma mater with the team. Full disclaimer: I'm not a student any more, but my tickets are in the section next to the students, so I typically stay and sing it with them.

jaykan7 6 months, 4 weeks ago

I would love to see the stands full of die hard KU fans. The attendance of this game, a measly 40,097. What would Allen Field House look like at 80% capacity? We are just outside of KC and the team needs more fans in the stands. I remember the Mangino era, the stands were full even before the 2007 season, and the emotion from the crowd was something to be seen and heard. We are struggling to turn it around, but folks it is already happening. So lets pack the stands on that last home game.

Reuben_J_Cogburn 6 months, 4 weeks ago

topekahawk 6 months, 4 weeks ago

jaykan7,

During the Mangino era these were the games that had attendance above 50,000 (sellout is 50,071): 2002 -- none 2003 -- MU 50,071 and NU 50,107 2004 -- KSU 50,152 2005 -- NU 51,750 2006 -- KSU 51,821 2007 -- NU 51,190 and ISU 51,050 2008 -- FIU 52,112, SHSU 51,767, TT 50,125, KSU 52,230, UT 51,930 2009 -- NCU 52,530, Duke 50,101, SMiss 50,025, OU 51,104, NU 51,525

Even during the Orange Bowl year, KU wasn't selling out all the home games. It takes time.

jaykan7 6 months, 3 weeks ago

Ok, that's 17 games during a 5 year period give or take. These are sell outs, which is awesome by the way. How many times were we close to the 50,071? 48,000 to 50,000...we had 40,097 there on Saturday. Other schools are selling tickets for people to stand around the stadium to watch their games. I watch SEC, other Big 12's and Big 10 games and their stands are full and it sounds so loud on TV.

kenhil 6 months, 4 weeks ago

I STILL BELIEVE

hawkdds 6 months, 4 weeks ago

Been a KU football fan 50+ years through thick & thin, wasn't excited about Weis hire but obviously the man is working. his tail off to win. Fill the stadium for Iowa State.

focojayhawk 6 months, 3 weeks ago

Four of our games have been lost by 7 or less, and we were in the TCU game with a shot. The time will come.

HawkOverseas 6 months, 3 weeks ago

Would KU Athletics ever consider letting people in for free? I know it sounds crazy. And most people have already bought tickets. But, for this last home game, just open the gates and let anyone in who wants to come. Anything to fill up the seats. Let these kids play in front of packed house, even if it's only for 2 quarters before people start leaving.

KUHawkhead 6 months, 3 weeks ago

They HAD to do that for Derp's last home game against Baylor and Heisman winner Griffin III. If you get to that point, a coaching change is in order.

KGphoto 6 months, 3 weeks ago

How about, for every person who leaves, one free admission is granted in their place. If you leave and want to come back, you have to go to the back of the free line.

oklahawk58 6 months, 3 weeks ago

"McDougald recalled. 'But the thing that stuck out to me was I looked over to the student section and there was a sign that said, 'We Still Believe.' Even though we’ve been through our ups and downs, I know there’s still 5-10 percent of our fans that truly believe through thick and thin and those die-hard fans are the guys we play for.'”

To the fair weather fans, there's a lesson to be learned here. Keep the faith, and when we finally do break through, it will be all the sweeter.

hawkdds 6 months, 3 weeks ago

A-men brother! RCJH

jayhawkintx1973 6 months, 3 weeks ago

I personally have no doubt that in order to build a consistent program, we need the fans at the games. There are many Jayhawk fans across the country that can't make it to Lawrence, but I live near TCU and will be going to KU games there and probably WACO and maybe Austin if things work out. Lubbock is a jaunt, but if I can get the time, I'll go to those. For sure, I'll be at KU football games at TCU as well as the basketball games, and others if they play them during times that I can go. I'll also be at the baseball and softball games at TCU, and those tickets are much easier to come by.

Waco isn't that far either, and I'll see if I can make the KU game there this year, but I wasn't able to get tickets for this Saturday's game.

But, we need the home field advantage, and the 12th man is the fans making lots of noise. I mean, make it like the 2004 game against Kansas State every time and that will certainly get the attention of the recruits that make visits during home games.

Give the boosters a reason to donate the money to add seating to the stadium. Have a waiting list of season tickets for a few years out, and it will make the decision easier for them.

jaykan7 6 months, 3 weeks ago

Posted above in 2009 against Northern Colorado we packed Memorial Stadium with 52,530 fans. That is crazy, but we need that number of fans in the stands with an attitude like when we play K-State or Missouri. That kind of fan base will get our players jacked to play and maybe rattle some young players on the opposing team. I know Memorial can get loud I have heard it before.

KGphoto 6 months, 3 weeks ago

It'll never happen. Wins come first. You don't become successful because your fans are great. Just ask any Chiefs fan. As the losing piles up, the stadium begins to empty.

When Shottenheimer arrived in 1989, the Chiefs actually began to win more ROAD games, locking in playoff appearances. The average yearly attendance went up by around 50%!! The Chiefs continued winning pretty consistently until Dick Vermeil retired, and the stadium either led, or nearly led the league every year during that span.

Enter Herm Edwards, 2006. He goes 9-7 but doesn't look good. Attendance drops a little the next year. In 2007 he goes 4-12 and the attendance drops substantially the next year. In 2008 he goes 2-14 and the attendance drops by almost 10% in the next year alone. Rock bottom for Arrowhead.

If you graphed it out, you would see attendance mirror winning percentage, just one year behind. I'm all for getting fans to the games, but it won't happen without winning first.

eastcoasthawk 6 months, 3 weeks ago

Made it back for Homecoming. Told everyone I talked to that we were going to win a conference game this year. Lost my voice trying to will the team to victory and damn we almost had it. You can see the improvement from last year. Hoping the guys can put together a good run in Baylor this week and shock them. ISU will be our next best shot. I still believe. Make it so boys.

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