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Kansas fans remove goalpost from field amid celebration after Oklahoma upset

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz10/28/23

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Kansas fans wasted no time celebrating Saturday’s upset of No. 6-ranked Oklahoma. They took to the field right away, and they took the field goal post right out of the ground in the process.

The Jayhawks faithful immediately went for the goalpost after the game — a 38-33 Kansas victory. It marked the program’s first victory over Oklahoma since 1997, and the first win over an AP top-10 team since 1984.

Then, the goalpost ended up in the lake.

Kansas quarterback Jason Bean was the key to the victory, leading a seven-play, 80-yard drive with less than two minutes to go to set up Devin Neal’s game-winning, 9-yard touchdown run. Bean finished the day with 218 passing yards on 15 of 32 passing along with 62 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground.

The victory also meant coach Lance Leipold hit a bonus in his contract. Because Kansas got its sixth victory of the year, he gets a $100,000 bonus, according to USA Today’s Steve Berkowitz.

Devin Neal: Kansas stayed ‘vigilant’ and ‘ready,’ confident in defense to keep Oklahoma quiet in final seconds

It wasn’t easy going for Kansas to get the victory. The Jayhawks saw an early 14-0 lead evaporate, even after lightning came into the area and halted play. But they battled back, trading leads with Oklahoma before the Sooners went out in front, 33-32 with 5:22 to go. Jason Bean then threw an interception to give the Sooners the ball back with 2:23 to play, but Kansas managed to get one more drive.

That’s when Bean led the Jayhawks down the field for a 7-play, 80-yard drive capped by Neal’s touchdown with less than a minute to go. The defense then had to turn around and get a stop, and Neal said he was more than confident it would happen.

“We just were focused on staying vigilant, staying ready,” Neal said. “We knew the defense was going to make a stop. They were making stops all game. Super proud of the entire group, man. I have no words at this point. Super excited.”

As for what a young Devin Neal would say, he knows exactly what he’d say.

“He’d be really proud of what we’re doing here,” Neal said, with a smile.

Kansas now finds itself bowl eligible once again with a 6-2 record. Next up for the Jayhawks is a trip to Ames to take on Iowa State next week as the final stretch of the season begins.