If profit is the bottom line – and isn’t it always? – then Kansas University may come away from Saturday’s football game in decent shape.
Associate athletic director Brandon Macneill said 47,000 tickets had been sold for Saturday’s 6 p.m. game with Oklahoma, which was moved late last year from Lawrence to Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
That figure, Macneill said, included 9,000 tickets for students who may or may not show up, considering the game will occur during fall break.
Since tickets at Arrowhead are reserved, students were asked to redeem their tickets this week in Lawrence for a reserved seat.
“(Monday), when the ticket office opened, there was a line,” Macneill said.
The athletic department targeted selling 54,000 tickets for the game earlier in the year, and Macneill said a walk-up crowd could boost attendance close to that number.
“I think it will be a success financially,” Macneill said. “Without question, we’ll fill more paid seats here than we would at Memorial.”
KU keeps all of the revenue from ticket sales, while the Kansas City Chiefs rake in parking and concession revenue and a fee KU paid to rent the stadium.
¢ One of the best: KU’s rush defense has been good enough for a No. 3 ranking in the country.
Allowing just 64.6 yards per game, Kansas ranks only behind Ohio State (56.2) and Louisiana State (62.5) of the 119 NCAA Division I-A teams.
¢ No TV for Colorado: KU’s conference clash Oct. 22 with Colorado in Boulder will not be televised. Colorado officials met late Monday to discuss a possible start time for the game, and it likely will be released today.
¢ No answer: KU’s quarterback soap opera, which pretty much has lingered for an entire calendar year, lives another day. Speaking during the Big 12 coaches conference call Monday morning, KU coach Mark Mangino said no quarterback had been named starter for the Oklahoma game, mainly because the coaches wouldn’t meet with the players until later in the day. Brian Luke and Adam Barmann are considered the front-runners, with Marcus Herford another possibility. Jason Swanson, who hasn’t played a down yet this season, might be in the mix as well. A decision could be made as soon as today. Or not.
¢ Peterson to return: OU running back Adrian Peterson, limited to just three carries Saturday against Texas, is expected to play against the Jayhawks.
The Heisman Trophy runner-up as a freshman, Peterson has been hobbled by a tender ankle, which was aggravated early against the Longhorns. OU coach Bob Stoops said he would be fine, though, and Mangino is planning accordingly. “He runs hard. Every time he gets the ball in his hands, he’s on a mission,” Mangino said. “He’ll probably get a bunch of carries against us.”
