hawks! buffs! recap ...

As the great William Grigsby would note, "what a beeeeeee-yutiful day for football!" So grab your favorite libation, cool it with some Mountain Valley Spring Water ice cubes you bought at Prrrrrrrrice Chopper, and relive the madness ...

* arrived in Lawrence about 9:45 and parked close to our usual spot on Ohio north of 9th. We actually managed to park on 9th for once. Pretty sweet.

* tailgaters everywhere. As much as KU Football has changed for the better over the last 5, 6 years, thank God that's one tradition that didn't get discarded.

* one advantage of parking on 9th is the flat walk in via Mississippi. I did come prepared though; the inhaler was in the pocket in case we had to go the hilly route.

* after a quick stop at Jensen Liquors for some "medicine", we were on our way.

* the (joe pesci voice) yute ticket was initially denied entry. Visibly upset, off to gate number two, where it was accepted with no problems. By a very, very attractive blonde chick in a red Kerry Meier jersey.

* I noted this on our walk up the Hill to the Campanille: girls in college now, are so much friggin hotter than they were a decade ago. I so want to go back to college. Brent noted "I'd go back. I'd be the dirty old man. And I'd feel no shame". (joe biden voice) I'm with you pal. And I can get dirtier, champ ...

* wound up in the usual section (20) but way lower this time. 2nd row above the lower bowl entrance. Right next to the tricky step up. This would be a recurring theme of priceless entertainment ...

* I thought I recognized the guy I asked "are these seats saved" to, but wasn't sure until about 20 minutes later, when he starts staring at me and goes "Steve"? Yup, I work with the guy.

* Parachuters in the pregame! Neat stuff. And the guy in the KSU colored parachute was roundly booed. Good stuff.

* The Mangino PSA. Urging us in the student section to "refrain from using that chant". Mark, with all due respect, noone in that student section has ever dropped a tirade of F bombs on his kid's game's ref like you have. So shut the f*ck up and let us have our f*cking fun, you f*cking lovable fattie.

* The PSA was roundly booed. As well it should be. Here's a thought censorship Nazis: you don't want something to continue, don't pay any attention to it. Fads tend to, you know, fade once folks lose interest in them.

* And to the alumni who booed us continuing the chant: we DO have creative chants. "You let the whole team down!" Name me one other stadium in this conference where you'll hear that.

* And to Tigers fans complaining about how classless us KU fans are, I've got one word for you. Antlers. You folks waived your right to b*tch about class away the second you put that ridiculous head gear on those folks ...

* Another first half, another crappy KU performance on offense. If we don't get this fixed like right effing now, we're getting rolled in Norman next Saturday.

* The first half highlight: an incredible interception at the 4 by Kendrick Harper, who somehow stripped the ball from the Buffs receiver as they were going to the ground. Saved a goal to go situation with the game still scoreless.

* Of course, KU went three and out, the punt was awful, and the Buffs scored 4 plays later. But still, huge early play.

* The wind was a huge factor today. Huge.

* early 2nd quarter, there it was. Walking up the aisle. A beautiful blue t-shirt on a KU student. "The Bird is the Word!" That set off a solid 15 minutes straight of "Family Guy" jokes. I so want that t-shirt ...

* Midway through the 2nd quarter, the light finally came on in Ed Warriner's brain. As Gregg was screaming the entire time up until then, "Jake Sharp Needs Space!" Finally, KU began running options and pitches for Sharp, and go figure, the offense started moving. After a Sharp touchdown to tie the game at 7 ...

* oh oh oh oh oh! oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh, oh oh, oh oh! (keys jingling) oh oh oh oh oh! oh oh oh oh oh! OOOOOOAAAAAH!!!! RIP HIS F*CKING HEAD OFF!!!

* text from Heath: "chant was clear as i've ever heard it on tv". Well done, student section. Well done.

* and again, those hacked off on the west side of the stadium ... blow me. You weren't there in the Terry Allen era. You weren't there when things looked grim under Mangino in the beginning. But us in the student section, we've never left. (Save for the old school third quarter shuffle. But at least we showed up for the beginning). We've always been there. Even when your side of the stadium was deserted midway through the first quarter as KU was getting blown out of the building. For you to now insist your way is the way it should be, is beyond ridiculous, and utterly intolerable. We will chant. If you don't like it, go to Joe College, buy yourself a funny t-shirt, and proceed to rip your f*cking head off.

* how sweet was the safety? And what the hell was Cody Hawkins thinking on that play?

* speaking of (brian griffin voice) what the hell? plays ... what the hell was with the clock management to end the half?!?! Utter incompetence.

* the tricky step up. What humor. In section 19/20 as you head up into the second bowl, there's a tough step up when the two sides of the walkway come together. At least 20 people slipped and fell today, including one girl who slid down on her ass into the support beam, and one drunk gentleman who slipped on a jalapeno and slid down 6 steps before figuring out he'd missed his seat. There also was a hilarious moment when a dude slipped, lost his nachos and pretzel ... and rather than be humiliated further, just left said nacho and pretzel. Both weren't any worse for the wear.

* We had our first confirmed alcohol overdose of the season. Paramedics called midway through quarter two to carry out a clearly underage chick who was white as a ghost, beyond intoxicated, passed out. After attempting to "help" her up the aisle, they gave up, and one guy carried her by the shoulders, the other by the legs. At 12:30 in the afternoon. Hawk Football! Win or Lose, We Still Booze!!!

* Halftime, it was a battle of the bands. The Buffs band did a tribute to Journey. The Hawks band did a tribute to Guitar Hero. At least the Buffs won something today. Although their version of "Don't Stop Believin'" was horrid. Nothing like last year's tear-inducing, awe-inspiring "Pride of Kansas" tribute after the Iowa State game ...

* 2nd half, finally, the offense got going. Reesing goes to the hurry up, and the Buffs are caught off guard. Reesing delivered a 20 plus yard strike to Meier, then a beautifully thrown 20 plus yard laser to Briscoe. Reesing completes the drive with a TD to Briscoe in the back of the end zone, an awesome leap by Briscoe, and solid "put it where only the receiver could get it" pass by Reesing. 16-7 Hawks.

* at this point, I send the patented "time to bury this team go d!" text message. After pathetic coverage on the kick, the Buffs are in business at our 40. Hawkins first pass goes for 38, then a QB plunge brings the game to 16-14.

* I should probably mention, the four people who sat in front of us (plus the baby) ... are you kidding me? You are in the STUDENT section! WE DO NOT SIT! (unless there's a timeout on the field). WE STAND ON BENCHES! WE ARE LOUD! Sure they were nice, and the one guy seemed knowledgable ... but seriously. You are in the STUDENT section! If you want to act like a spoiled b*tch, move to the west side of the stadium!

* OK, back to the recap. For the first time, I am nervous that we are going to lose. A slight panic attack sets in, and I hit the inhaler. (Always a good sign ...) The emotion in that stadium is just dead after the quick strike Buffs TD. We need something big. Cue Todd Reesing.

* In less than 2 minutes, Reesing drives us 75 yards, hitting at one point 3 straight first down passes, plus running for one as well. A Jake Sharp sprint from the 8 gives us a 9 point cushion once again.

* The defense finally answers my text from a drive ago, and forces a three and out. Cue Dexton Fields, who returns a punt 30 some odd yards to set us up near the Buffs 40 ready to deliver the knockout blow. Cue Jake Sharp, who drives the Hawks 40 something yards to deliver the, uuh, knockout blow. 30-14 Hawks. Ballgame.

* a few interesting stats:

Reesing: 27 of 34, 256, 1 TD.
Sharp: 31 carries 118 yds, 3 TD.
(student section chant voice) Ker-ry Mey-er!: 9 catches, 94 yards.
Total yards: KU 407, Buffs 233.

And both Buffs touchdowns started inside the KU 42.

* and of course, post game ... Burrito King! My stomach wasn't up to it ... but you have to love the Burrito King. That place is da bomb! (Usually to your septic system ...)

* and the student in line with us ... his Hawk Football! t-shirt: "F_CK K-ST_T_! Anyone wanna buy a vowel?" Yeah. I'd like a U for $250 Pat ...

* Hawks! Sooners! 2:30 on Saturday! On national television! Seriously, did you ever dream you'd live to see the day Kansas Jayhawk Football would have nearly every freaking game of its season televised?!?! I'm on cloud nine. We're one win away from qualifying for a bowl in back to back seasons for the first time ever.

All we have to do to be bowl eligible is win one more. In mid October. Wait, we're Kansas Football?!?! (the late, great harry caray voice) Holy cow ...