When you live in Oklahoma City — or specifically one of its suburbs, as Joe Vaughn did — you pretty much have to choose sides.
“Basically, you’re either an Oklahoma or an Oklahoma State fan,” said Vaughn, senior center on Kansas University’s football team. “It’s a big rivalry.”
OK, Joe, which way did you lean?
“I never liked either one, really,” Vaughn said. “My team was always Florida State. I didn’t really have a reason why.”
Seminole Fever disappeared, though, when the 6-foot-1, 285-pounder from Del City, Okla., transferred to KU from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, a two-year school, in the spring of 2003 and quickly won the Jayhawks’ starting center job.
Vaughn answered the bell for all 13 of KU’s games last season, making a noteworthy impact. The Big 12 Conference coaches and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram tapped him as the league’s offensive newcomer of the year — an award usually reserved for skill-position players.
Now KU is touting Vaughn for more postseason honors this fall — a possibility that no doubt would be enhanced if Kansas could make some noise Saturday against No. 2-ranked OU at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., where many of Vaughn’s friends and relatives will be watching.
“I went to an OU camp and stood on the field once,” Vaughn said, “and I went to a few games as a kid. But playing there will be new for me. Great team, great atmosphere … it’ll be fun.”
As excited as Vaughn is to perform within a half-hour of his hometown, he also realizes becoming too excited only will work against him.
“It’s always good to go back home,” he said. “I have a lot of family there, but you have to treat it as another game. We’re going to go down there and win. That’s all we’re interested in. But we’ll have to bring our A game.”
If you’re wondering if either Oklahoma or Oklahoma State was interested in Vaughn while he was performing at NEO and earned second-team NJCAA All-America recognition, the answer is no.
“That didn’t make me feel bad,” Vaughn said. “The main goal when you’re in juco is to get a free education, so when any school offers you a scholarship you’re interested.”
Vaughn made two visits to NCAA Division I-A programs — Kansas and Indiana. He picked the Jayhawks because of the geography factor and an opportunity to return home twice during his major college career.
Last year, it was Stillwater, Okla., where the Jayhawks bowed to Oklahoma State, 44-21 — a defeat more attributable to poor defensive play than offensive breakdowns. The Jayhawks, though, were down to their third quarterback when Adam Barmann, spelling the injured Bill Whittemore, went down early and was replaced by Brian Luke.
Barmann evolved into Whittemore’s successor this season, starting all six games. But juco transfer Jason Swanson, who sparked KU to a 31-28 victory over Kansas State two weeks ago, has more than a foot in the door now.
Still, if Kansas has a quarterback controversy, you won’t find Vaughn in the middle of it. He’s an equal opportunity snapper.
“I feel either one of them will do a great job,” he said.
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Pump ’em up: KU coach Mark Mangino made sure to point out that his team needs to make the most of its trip to Norman. Big 12 North schools make trips to South Division schools only once every four years.
“We told them to make it their very best shot,” Mangino said, “and let’s make it something they could tell their kids and grandkids about.”
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Family Ties: KU running back John Randle has cloudy memories of watching football in Norman. But he has done it. Randle’s cousin, Keith Sparks, played special teams for the Sooners from 1993 to 1995.
“That’s the last time I was there,” Randle said. “That’s when the program wasn’t at the level that it is now. I was pretty young. He’s a grown man, now.”
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Streaks, stats, facts: Oklahoma has won two straight over Kansas, but the Jayhawks still have won three of the last five meetings. … The Sooners won the last meeting, 38-10, in 2001 behind the offensive playcalling of Mangino. … Jayhawk receiver Brandon Rideau is third all-time in career receptions at KU with 111. He needs six more to tie Richard Estell for second place. … Despite the perceived struggles at kicker, freshman Scott Webb is a perfect 18-for-18 on extra-point attempts. His 24 points (18 PAT’s, two field goals) ties him for second on the team with Rideau (four touchdowns). John Randle leads with 42 points on seven touchdowns.
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