UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Friday, October 7, 1994
3A
Brian Vandervliet / KANSAN
John Erck, Owatonna, Minn., sophomore, watches last night's Kansas-Kansas State game as the Wildcats pull away from the Jayhawks. "It's brutal," he said.
Kansas crowd silenced by Kansas State victory
By Colleen McCain Kansan staff writer
It just wasn't pretty.
Though there were faint glimmers of hope as the game wore on, a Kansas State University victory seemed apparent before the halftime show even began.
KU fans who began the game on their feet, jubilantly waving red and blue pompoms and tossing around a plastic inflated football, later fell silent as cheers of "Go KSU!" resonated through Memorial Stadium.
David Soderstrom, Wichita freshman, watched the game from near the top of the stadium.
"I can see everything from up here," Soderstrom said. "And I can see that the refs are screwing up."
Soderstrom said that he and his friends were relegated to the upper bleachers when they lost track of time at Pizza Shuttle.
"We were so busy making fun of some people from Kansas State that we didn't get here until kickoff," he said.
As Kansas State scored their second touchdown, Soderstrom said he wouldn't lose hope.
"We just have to find a way to come back," he said.
A KU victory was a matter of family pride for KU Band member Matt Riegel. Riegel's twin brother Mark is a member of Kansas State's band.
"Heck yeah, we have a big rivalry," said Riegel, Dodge City junior. "This is for bragging rights in our family."
Riegel said he and his brother bet a few dollars on the game each year. But more importantly,
"I'm leaving now.I'm tired and I'm frustrated,and KU is going to lose anyway."
George Brett former Kansas City Royal
the game was a question of pride.
Both Kansas gubernatorial candidates attended the game with their wives, but neither seemed overly concerned with the outcome.
Although Bill Graves did graduate work at KU, he took the politically prudent position of neutrality at the game.
Jim Slattery, who graduated from Washburn University, said he was cheering for Kansas State.
"I honestly can say I have season tickets for both schools," Graves said. "I have allegiances on both sides, so I'm rooting for both teams."
"My wife Linda attended Kansas State, and we've been married for 20 years," Slattery said. "That should tell you who I'm rooting for. Mostly, this is just an enjoyable way to spend an evening, though."
Harry Smith, Lee's Summit, Mo., sophomore, spent the evening trekking up and down the stairs of the stadium selling soft drinks.
"I've been selling out so fast," Smith said. "I run out and people who want drinks start swearing at me."
The rude behavior of some fans probably was related to the level of alcohol consumption, Smith said.
"I swear people are sneaking bottles in and spiking the pop I sell them," he said.
Indeed, the stale smell of beer hung over much of the student section.
As Kansas State recorded its third touchdown, many despondent fans headed for the happier haven of bars.
Kevin Keller, Overland Park junior, left the game, muttering that the KU defense had choked.
"I'm going to local drinking establishments to drown my sorrows," Keller said. "But those lavender losers will lose so badly come basketball season."
Another KU fan who abandoned hope of a KU victory was former Kansas City Royal George Brett. He left at the beginning of the fourth quarter.
"I've rooted for KU since I came to Kansas City," Brett said. "I'm from California, but now I support KU."
Brett, who was attending his first Kansas- Kansas State football game, said he was more concerned with KU basketball.
"I've been a KU guy for the whole game tonight, but I'm leaving now," Brett said. "I'm tired and I'm frustrated, and KU is going to lose anyway."
Brian Vandervliet / KANSAN
Margie Smith, Prairie Village freshman, foreground, and other members of the KU Marching Band play their instruments in celebration of KU's first touchdown.
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