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Kansas' attitude determines its altitude
I'll never forget the Kansas football game on Nov. 3,2001. It was my first time getting to see the mighty Nebraska Cornhuskers play in person. The Cornhuskers came into Lawrence ranked No.2 in the nation while the Jay Hawks were on their way to a 3-8 record.
After a slow start, the Nebraska option attack ran all over the Kansas defense and finished with nearly 300 rushing yards. The result was a 51-7 loss for the Jayhawks.
I'm an optimist, but I knew Kansas didn't have a chance that night. For me, the most exciting part of the night was hearing that the Arizona Diamond-backs had just routed the New York Yankees to force Game 7 in the World Series. The football game's outcome was far too predictable.
A lot of things changed in those six years. Mark Mangino was hired in December 2001 and the program began to take on a new identity.
Sure, Mangino and his staff brought new
That game is why I was so stunned when Kansas scored 10 touchdowns and beat Nebraska 76-39 just two seasons ago. Exactly six years to the day after I had seen Kansas face a seemingly invincible Nebraska squard, the Jayhawks were on the other side of the blowout. Todd Reesing and the Jayhawks were on their way to No.2 in the polls and Nebraska's defense had no answer for the Kansas passing attack.
offensive schemes and philosophies to the program, but they also brought something that can't be found in any playbook. They brought a new attitude that Kansas football had been lacking. The coaches believed in the team and the team believed in its potential.
Kansas faced a tougher schedule last year but still won a second straight bowl game, a first for the program, to finish 7-5 on the year.
But the success didn't come right away. Kansas struggled at the start of Mangino's tenure before breaking through with a bowl win in 2005. The team then lost several winnable games in 2006 and did not make a bowl.
Fans hoped for something better in 2007, but no one predicted an Orange Bowl win. The team caught the nation by surprise and won its first 11 games before falling to Missouri at Arrowhead Stadium.
The difference is not just with the team or the coaches, but also with the fans. Like other fans, I think the Jayhawks now have a real chance to win every time they take the field, no matter who the opponent is. That's an exciting thought.
I've seen a lot of home games at the University, but the 2007 Nebraska game stands out. Kansas football had arrived and everyone knew it.
The football program has had two great years in a row. The team has goals this season of making another bowl game and winning the Big 12 North, and the Nov. 14 game against Nebraska will play a big part in the division race.
For me, the success of this season won't depend on the outcome of the Nebraska game or even if the Jayhawks make a third consecutive bowl appearance. With the program's new attitude, there is no limit on how far Kansas can go this year.
An excitement that was not seen for decades surrounds the program and anticipation has never been higher for the Jayhawks. But no matter what happens, the team is confident in its chances. And that is the real success.
KANSAN FILE PHOTO
Wide receive Marcus Henry blocks a kick in the 2002 Orange Game bowl in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Jayhawks defeated Virginia Tech 24-21.
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THE WAVE SEPTEMBER 4,2009