Memphis, Tenn. — In the weeks leading up to this week’s Liberty Bowl clash between Kansas and Arkansas, there was talk on both sides of the battle about whether the Jayhawks might be a little more motivated to win the game.
It’s been 14 years since Kansas last appeared in a bowl game, and the Jayhawks are largely whole entering the game, while Arkansas has dealt with departures and defections on both its roster and coaching staff.
On Tuesday in downtown Memphis, KU coach Lance Leipold and Arkansas coach Sam Pittman both shot down the notion that Kansas might want to win Wednesday’s game more because of KU’s long bowl drought and the fact that Arkansas is a regular participant in bowl games.
“I’ve heard the same thing,” Leipold said of the chatter around the bowl build-up. “I know our guys want to be here and I know our guys want an opportunity to play, especially our upperclassmen and the guys who have been through a lot.”
Leipold then briefly marveled at what some of KU’s veterans have endured, having played for three head coaches and five to eight position coaches during their time with the program.
“Crazy stuff that no young man ever thought he signed up for when he went to college,” Leipold explained. “I know they’re going to be excited to play but at the same time I wouldn’t underestimate coach Pittman’s use of motivation and I know they’ll be more than ready to play, as well. I just want to make sure we play with great enthusiasm and finish this year out right.”
Added Pittman, when asked the same question: “Kansas is going to be ready because coach Leipold’s a freaking great football coach. They’re excited, they’re going to be ready; but, hell, two teams can be excited and I know we are. I can promise you we’ll be ready to play.”
Playing for Jayhawk Nation
Leipold said Tuesday that he was thrilled to see “what it means to the loyal Kansas fans,” and even happier to see several former KU players show up for the team’s final walk-through on Tuesday morning.
And while the goal is always to win, Leipold said just getting here and allowing this team and these players to experience what it’s like to prepare to play in a bowl game would be huge for the future of the program.
The extra bowl practices create opportunity for growth and development. The 14 years KU went without those sessions contributed to KU falling farther behind the rest of the Big 12. And Leipold, along with his his staff and many Kansas players, believes that playing in the Liberty Bowl was the first step toward rebuilding that part of KU’s culture.
“Those are things we’re still working through and we’re just starting to lay that foundation,” he said. “That’s what we were proud of at the last job (Buffalo); we had that in a good spot. And hopefully this is just the beginning of those things for this program and we can benefit from it.”
Pittman likes Lance
As he did several weeks ago when the bowl matchups were announced, Pittman spent a decent chunk of time praising Leipold and the turnaround he has engineered at Kansas.
Pittman, who coached at KU for one season under Terry Allen in 2001, knows all too well the challenges the program has faced throughout the years.
“Going out and doing what he has done at Kansas, that takes a ball coach,” Pittman said. “They’re very fortunate to have him.”
Coordinator talk
After the regular season ended, Pittman lost defensive coordinator Barry Odom to a head coaching job at UNLV, and that has forced the Razorbacks to adjust to a new way of doing things on defense.
“Mike Scherer is a capable football coach,” Pittman said of his linebackers coach. “He’s going to call the game, and we’ve got enough players to go out and win the game. And I think the guys have been very excited about some of the new things that Mike and the defensive staff have brought, some different looks to hopefully try to confuse Kansas a little bit.”
On the flip side of that, Pittman has developed an appreciation for the work of KU offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, who has oversaw one of the best offenses in college football this season.
“Kansas has done some really neat things, offensively,” Pittman said Tuesday. “Defensively, as well. But, offensively, they’ve got a few plays that we may try to steal.”
Pittman pointed specifically to KU’s option rushes on the back side of their zone reads and stretch plays.
“That’s a really cool concept,” Pittman added.
Liberty Bowl officials say stadium is ready
Below-freezing temperatures and broken water lines throughout Memphis have wreaked havoc on the city’s infrastructure this week.
But the issues will not have a negative impact on Wednesday’s Liberty Bowl, scheduled for a 4:30 p.m. kickoff between Kansas (6-6) and Arkansas (6-6) at Simmons Liberty Bowl Stadium.
“There have been significant weather challenges throughout the country, including here in Memphis,” Liberty Bowl officials wrote in a statement released Monday afternoon. “We can assure you that the 64th AutoZone Liberty Bowl between Kansas and Arkansas will be played on Wednesday, December 28th with kickoff at 4:30 p.m. The weather forecast at game time is for temperatures in the 50s.”
On Tuesday, the Memphis Commercial Appeal reported that Thomas Carrier, the stadium’s general manager was not anticipating any problems for fans on Wednesday.
“We’re going to have a game and we’re excited for it,” Carrier told The Commercial Appeal Tuesday morning. “We’ve got some backups in place, if need be. But we’ll have the stadium ready to rock for all the Razorbacks and Jayhawks coming to town.”
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