Kansas quarterback Jason Bean could only watch from the sideline during the final play of a 38-33 victory over No. 6 Oklahoma. As soon as Dillon Gabriel’s Hail Mary attempt fell harmlessly to the ground, Bean admitted that he let out a sigh of relief as the Jayhawks defeated the Sooners for the first time since 1997 to become bowl eligible for a second consecutive season.
“I think I’ve been here long enough for y’all to understand what that means to me,” Bean said. “The things I’ve been through, the things this team has been through, this program has been through, this school, and this state.”
“It means everything to get that win and against that school in that fashion,” Bean added. “It’s just huge for us.”
The win was so significant that Bean asked to speak to the team in the locker room, a decision he made in the moment. He expressed his gratitude for the team having his back through the ups and downs.
“I’m happy and probably pulling for Jason in ways that I don’t always, because he’s been unselfish,” head coach Lance Leipold said. “He could have left like a lot of guys do today in college football, a lot of things he’s been through, and a lot of ups and downs. He just keeps coming back.”
“He just kept fighting,” Leipold added. “That’s all we can ask for him.”
In a way, the final two offensive drives were emblematic of the Bean experience during his three seasons in Lawrence. He threw a costly interception on the first of those two possessions, only to follow that up with a game-winning drive in the final two minutes to demonstrate his poise.
The drive that ended with an interception started on KU’s 25-yard line with 5:26 left in the game, with the Jayhawks trailing by a 33-32 margin. Bean made a few impressive plays on that drive, including a 36-yard pass to running back Devin Neal and 10-yard connection with receiver Luke Grimm on an out route on fourth-and-4.
But Bean’s errant passes loomed large, the first of which came right after the fourth-down conversion when he threw it right to an Oklahoma defender. While that pass was ultimately dropped, Bean was picked off moments later on a screen pass to Neal to give the Sooners the ball in the closing minutes.
“I’ve made mistakes in the past and I’ve learned from those mistakes,” Bean said. “Just trying not to repeat the same dumb mistakes that I have in the past. That was my main thing these past two weeks, just focus on recovering when I make a mistake.”
Bean got his chance at redemption after KU’s defense forced a three-and-out to give the offense the ball back at the 20-yard line with 2:29 remaining in regulation. While a field goal would have won the game, Bean told reporters the offense was thinking touchdown the whole way.
The game-winning drive began with a 13-yard scramble by Bean, who then hit tight end Mason Fairchild for a 17-yard pickup to get KU to midfield. After an incomplete pass and two short runs, the Jayhawks were staring at a fourth-and-6 with the clock winding down.
With no time to really think, Bean took the snap and settled in the pocket to let the long route develop. Bean then threw a laser as Lawrence Arnold broke inward at the 30-yard line to make the catch, and then it was off to the races for the receiver to finish off a decisive 37-yard play.
“That was remarkable (and) special from him,” said Neal, who punched in the game-winning touchdown run on the very next play. “Especially coming back from the (previous) drive. He completely flushed it, and went back to do his job. He threw a crucial ball at the right moment. I’m super proud of him.”
It was far from a perfect performance, but Bean battled his way to victory on a day where Gabriel, a purported Heisman candidate, was on the other sideline.
Bean finished 15-for-32 for 238 yards while overcoming two interceptions. He produced 62 yards on the ground, highlighted by a 38-yard touchdown run in the third period that gave Kansas a brief 26-21 advantage.
No. 9 did all this without knowing for certain whether he will make another start for the Jayhawks. Quarterback Jalon Daniels, who has missed the last three games due to injury, was seen warming up in uniform prior to the matchup against OU.
But if Saturday’s thrilling upset was truly Bean’s last start, it would certainly be a fitting end for the scrappy signal-caller who has been through so much during his collegiate career.
“I’m fighting for this team and everyone around me,” Bean said. “I want to win so that this team wins and so that everyone is excited for themselves. I want people to believe in themselves, not for me.”
Mike Gunnoe/Special to the Journal-World
