10C / HOMECOMING / MONDAY, OCTOBER 18,2010 / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN / KANSAN.COM
Jayhawks top historical homecoming football games
BY CHRIS SCHAEDER | editor@kansan.com
From the moment I attended my first homecoming football game at my school in second grade, I realized that the game is the most integral part of the festivities that take place throughout the week. This opinion
was cemented last year during my freshmen year at Kansas. I hadn't noticed as much school spirit as there was in high school when we had dress-up days, but this changed at the football game. Despite the frigid weather, the enthusiasm and spirit displayed by Kansas
students was unbelievable. It would have been easy for students to go home and watch the game in a warm environment. With the game against Texas A&M on Saturday, I have come up with my list of the top five homecoming football moments in Kansas history.
The halftime ceremony at the 1925 homecoming game. The first homecoming queen was crowned during the ceremony. Kansas had homecoming queens until 1969, when the tradition was replaced with the ExCEL award, which honors two students of both genders
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KANSAS' FIRST HOMECOMING GAME On Nov. 23,1912, Kansas played its first homecoming
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THE JAYHAWKS TEAR THE CORNHUSKERS APART
Before Kansas's historic Orange Bowl victory against
Virginia Tech in January 2008, Kansas achieved a rare
Virginia Tech in January 2008, Kansas achieved a rare feat in the history of the football program. The Jayhawks defeated Nebraska 76-39 in the 2007 homecoming football game. Kansas set an all-time record for most touchdowns and points scored by a Nebraska opponent. This was only the second victory in the last 39 games against the Cornhuskers. Out of all the football games played against Nebraska, this one was the most memorable for Kansas.
RECORD CROWD
football game against its biggest rival, the Missouri Tigers. Kansas defeated Missouri 12-3 and there was a ceremonial burning of a wooden
In 1947, Kansas beat Missouri in front of a Big 6 record crowd of 40,043 with a score of 20-14. This win guaranteed Kansas its best regular season record since 1908 and cemented the fact that
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those two teams would continue to play classic football games.
Spencer Research Library
Fans gather for a homecoming rally in 1947. Fans turned out in record numbers for the name.
tiger in front of Fraser Hall the Friday before the game. In future years, Kansas would play Missouri for most homecoming football games.
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INSPIRED SECOND HALT In the 1929 homecoming game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers, the Jayhawks found themselves down 20-0 at halftime. Many people left the game early, thinking that Kansas had already
INSPIRED SECOND HALF
the game early, thinking that Kansas had already lost. The Jayhawks took this personally and came out in the second half, dominating the rest of the game to claim a 20-20 tie against a very good Nebraska team.
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BABY JAY IS HATCHED
At the homecoming football game on Oct. 9, 1971, Big Jay carried a large egg to the 50-yard line of the field. Baby Jay then hatched from the egg, making her official debut as Kansas' newest mascot.
making her official debut as Kansas newest masseer Baby Jay has continued to represent Kansas at various events around the country.
Spencer Research Library
Spencer Research Library The 1971 homecoming game was the introduction of Baby Jay. Amy Sue Hurst was the brains behind Baby Jay. Kansas played and defeated Kansas State.
EXPERIENCE THE FOUNDATION THAT STARTED THE MAKEUP REVOLUTION