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KANSAN.COM/SPORTS | MONDAY, NOV. 21, 2016
Jayhawk fans climb onto the goalboast and tear it down following the overtime win over Texas. The Longhorns fell to the Jayhawks in overtime, 24-21
Andrew Rosenthal/KANSAN
Hannah Edelman/KANSAN Sophomore running back Taylor Martin runs through a gap in the Texas defense on Nov. 19. Kansas defeated Texas 24-21 in overtime.
Hannah Edelman/KANSAN
▶ SEAN COLLINS
@seanzie_UDK
Nineteen yards. That was the difference between the Jayhawks and their first victory against the Texas Longhorns since 1938. On first down and 19 yards to go in the fourth quarter, redshirt freshman quarterback Carter Stanley lobbed the ball into double coverage in the corner of the end zone.
It was at that moment, on offense, that sophomore wide receiver Steven Sims Jr. made the biggest defensive play of the game — maybe of the season, and probably of David Beaty's coaching career.
With two Longhorns draped all over him, Sims was seemingly outmatched, but he broke up an interception, pulling the ball out of Texas
sophomore cornerback Kris Boyd's grasp.
"Good break up, you saved the game," Sims said. "That's what they kept saying to me. 'You saved the game, you saved the game.'"
Down 21-18 with less than 10 seconds to go, coach David Beaty took no chances and sent senior kicker Matthew Wyman out to push the game into overtime. The kick was good.
In their 24-21 victory over the Longhorns on Senior Night, the Jayhawks found themselves making the big plays that they have been missing all season long, and in the most important of moments.
confident look to them."
"I could tell that they had a different look in their eye today," Beaty said. "I just could tell. They believed, and not that they don't always believe, but they had a very
To start overtime, it was a freshman that sealed the deal. When Texas freshman quarterback Shane Buechele lofted up a pass, Beaty saw freshman safety Mike Lee's eyes light up.
Every week there is a ton of students in that student section, and as a coach you keep thinking 'you know, are these kids going to continue to do that?' And they did."
David Beatty Kansas coach
score to win the game, but the team could already feel the victory.
It was his moment, and he intercepted the ball and ran it to the Texas 40-yard line. The Jayhawks still needed to
"I really thought the game was over once he picked it, but I forgot we had to score points too," Sims said with a chuckle. "I was just like; well we are going to score anyways."
After a couple of run plays up the gut from senior running back Ke'aun Kinner, it was all up to Wyman.
On Oct. 8 against TCU, Wyman had a similar opportunity, and missed. This was something Wyman assured he wouldn't let happen again. His routine and form were perfected in the most important moment.
"When I look up, I f*** up. That's my saying," Wyman said. "That's what I focused on."
The focus paid off, and the Jayhawks upset the Longhorns. To no surprise, the Jayhawk fans rushed the field. Not only was Beaty happy for his seniors on their night, but he also kept in mind the seniors of last year.
"Those guys knew that they were looking straight into the fire last year," Beaty said. "I told them 'If you help us, if you continue to be the great kids that you are, I'll never let you be forgotten.'"
This was the second time the fans have rushed this field this season,but
this night had a much different feeling than the beginning of the season.
"They kept coming. Every week there is a ton of students in that student section, and as a coach you keep thinking 'you know, are these kids going to continue to do that?' Beaty said. "And they did."
Finally, Beaty got his long-pursued Big 12 victory, and against the historical powerhouse in burnt orange and white.
Kansas clinches share of Big 12 title with home win
Aaron Goldstein/KANSAN Cassie Wait, Taylor Soucie and Maggie Anderson carry the Kansas Jayhawks to a Big 12 conference title. The Jayhawks won the match against Iowa State in five sets on Nov. 19.
▶ TIFFANY LITTLER
@littt33
Aaron Goldstein/KANSAN
Big 12 Champions.
This is a title Kansas volleyball (25-2, 14-1) has never received before. With a 3-2 win (25-18, 25-18, 13-25, 22-25, 15-9) over Iowa State (16-7, 8-6) on Kansas' senior day, the Jayhawks finally held the trophy it has been longing for.
The win Saturday afternoon solidified at least a share of the title for the Jayhawks, who have one more game remaining, an away match against Baylor. This win also gave coach Ray Bechard his 350th win at Kansas.
Prior to the match, Kansas honored the seniors of Iowa State as well as their own. Senior middle blocker Tayler Soucie also received her award for Big 12 Female Sportsperson of the Year, after recording nine blocks and eight kills. This
was her sixth-straight match with more than six blocks.
After knocking off No. 7 Texas, Iowa State carried its performance over to today's match and was hot on offense. The Cyclones led the beginning of each of the first four sets and dominated Kansas throughout the third set. The Jayhawks eventually regained the lead in each set, with the exception of the third.
"We didn't hit for a good efficiency, they outblocked us, out-dug us," Bechard said. "But much of that is a reflection in
Soucie said she tried to remain humble throughout her four years at Kansas and said she doesn't solely focus on accomplishments.
"I'm just taking it one day at a time, one game at a time," she said. "When our season ends, hopefully not for a while, I'll think about [my legacy] then."
the third set, when we just didn't really show up at all," Bechard said. "That fifth set was kind of this team in a nutshell for the year. When their backs are to the wall, they respond."
"[I'm] very proud of representing this group
and what they work for," he said. "Sometimes it's not the prettiest volleyball, but nobody outworks us and I think that was on display today."
Kansas was without one of its key players, junior right side hitter Kelsie Payne, due to an ankle
Throughout the struggle of the third and fourth sets, which brought a
injury. Because of this, redshirt freshman outside hitter Ashley Smith stepped up and saw her first career start. Smith recorded six kills, four digs and one block.
combined total of nine tie scores and two lead changes, Soucie said she and her team kept a level head in order to bounce back.
"We weren't worried. It was just business," Soucie said. "We knew we had to play our game and that was it."
Senior libero Cassie Wait had 15 digs and two assists. When asked about how the victory on Senior Day felt to her, she said it went beyond the trophy and senior recognition.
"I think it's less about us as a senior class and more about what you can do to promote that Jayhawk name and what it means for the next generation of Jayhawk athletes," she said. "And what it means to wear Kansas across your chest."
Kansas will travel to Waco, Texas on Saturday to attempt to clinch the title outright. First serve is set for 1 p.m.
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