Maybe Kansas University’s baseball team should have messed around with this mustache movement earlier in the season.

The Jayhawks — marked by multiple players’ messy, vintage mustaches — turned their new good-luck look into the most memorable night of the season Friday when KU tamed third-ranked Texas, 5-2, at Hoglund Ballpark in front of a national-television audience on ESPNU and season-best crowd of 1,707.

“If we keep winning, they can grow them all season,” joked KU coach Ritch Price of his squad’s 1970’s ‘stache style that started last week before the Best of the Midwest Tournament at CommunityAmerica Ballpark in Kansas City, Kan.

When the KU skipper was asked if he would sport one, he smiled and said: “Absolutely not.”

But Price might want to rethink his stance considering that his Jayhawks are red-hot since starting their “hilarious” hijinks — winning eight of their last nine ballgames, and four out of their last five Big 12 Conference contests.

None was larger than Friday’s victory against the Longhorns, though.

“I couldn’t be more pleased. I think that is as good as we can play in every phase of the game,” said Price, whose team improved to 32-21 overall and 7-11 in the Big 12, while UT fell to 38-10 and 13-8 in conference.

Indeed the Jayhawks jumped out of the gates thanks to the support of a raucous crowd more fitting of Allen Fieldhouse than typically found at Hoglund Ballpark.

“That’s the first time I’ve ever heard the fans doing the Rock-Chalk chant,” said KU catcher Sean Richardson, who is growing an infant-staged Fu Manchu mustache. “It was awesome.”

Kansas University closer Don Czyz is greeted by pitcher Kodiak Quick, right, and the rest of the team after the last out against Texas. Quick and Czyz pitched in KU's 5-2 victory Friday night over the No. 3-ranked Longhorns at Hoglund Ballpark.

So too was the senior’s solo blast down the left-field line to start the second inning and KU’s scoring.

From there sophomore pitcher Sean Land, defined by his scraggy ‘stache, had a spectacular start on the mound.

The left-hander, who improved to 5-4 on the season, retired the Longhorns in order the first three innings while striking out four UT batters.

“I felt better than I’ve ever felt in my whole life,” said Land, who pointed the finger for the mustache folly at senior catcher Jake Kauzlarich, the team’s clown. “I felt like I had extra juice on my fastball. It felt awesome.”

KU first baseman Jared Schweitzer had to have an equally awesome outlook after tying Ryan Baty’s KU school record for consecutive games with a hit at 21 when he slapped a hard single past third in the second.

Just for good measure, the junior jacked a solo shot of his own to start the fifth.

6Sports video: KU baseball tops Texas

“Maybe it is the mustaches,” said a smiling Schweitzer, who lacks the awkward locks near his lips like his teammates, but hasn’t cut his coiffure since his streak started.

“We’re just playing well. We’ve always had this potential, but for some reason it’s starting to click right now, and we’re going to roll with it.”

The Jayhawks definitely utilized a roll that left the Longhorns unlucky.

Kansas University shortstop Ritchie Price throws to first base after forcing out Texas runner Nick Peoples, left, to complete a double play against Texas. The Jayhawks beat the Longhorns, 5-2, Friday night at Hoglund Ballpark.

After Schweitzer stung UT starter Kyle McCulloch, KU freshmen Ryne Price and Erik Morrison reached base on back-to-back walks.

They scored when Matt Baty lofted a routine ball to left field that UT’s Carson Kainer looked to have in his glove, but lost at the last second in the setting sun and the ball landed behind him.

That botched play was among a handful of reasons legendary Longhorns coach Augie Gurrido left Hoglund Ballpark unhappy.

“I’m disappointed we didn’t put up a better fight,” said Gurrido, who guided UT to a second-place finish last season at the College World Series. “They capitalized on their opportunities, and we didn’t.”

Members of the Kansas University baseball squad celebrate their 5-2 victory over Texas.

But Price said his team must continue to do that today otherwise a team as talented as Texas will have no trouble taking back control of this series.

“The players were as jacked up as any group I’ve coached,” Price said. “They definitely rose to the occasion.

“You have to be special to play in this league. Texas is special and we were definitely special tonight. But now we have to go out and win the series. They’re going to come at us tomorrow with their best effort and we’re going to have to respond in the same manner.”