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Jayhawk heaven

Kansas defeats Virginia Tech in historic Orange Bowl victory

Kansas University running back Brandon McAnderson hams it up for the cameras with defensive end James McClinton after KU's 24-21 victory Thursday at the Orange Bowl in Miami.

By Jonathan Kealing

January 4, 2008

KU fans celebrate victory in Lawrence

KU fans in downtown Lawrence revel in the Jayhawks' 24-21 Orange Bowl victory over Virginia Tech. Enlarge video

2008 Orange Bowl

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2008 Orange Bowl

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Journal-World KU reporter Jonathan Kealing is covering the fans in and on their way to Miami for the Jayhawks' first ever BCS bowl game. Check out some pitstops and potholes on the way to Miami and keep up with Journal-World Orange Bowl coverage from Miami on our interactive road trip map.

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Relive the 2007 Kansas football season in pictures

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Miami — As oranges flew into the crowd Thursday night and with their favorite players on the grandstand, fans of the Kansas University Jayhawks danced in their seats.

And fans in Lawrence crowded downtown, screamed for joy and shot off fireworks.

There was a lot to celebrate: first-ever Orange Bowl victory, first-ever Bowl Championship Series victory, first-ever 12-win season.

"KU winning this game is the best thing to happen to our team, ever," said Robbie Schloss, a KU fan from Cleveland, after KU defeated Virginia Tech 24-21 in the Orange Bowl.

Jayhawk fans weren't content, however, simply to celebrate.

They let it be known that they were tired of the mistreatment they thought their favorite team had received all season.

"This whole trip was worthwhile, just to see Kansas get some respect for the football it plays," said David Staloch, of Minneapolis. Staloch's daughter is a member of the KU cheerleading squad.

Other fans agreed.

"It's about time something good happened at Kansas," said Lucas Jesseph, a KU junior from Shawnee.

In Lawrence, drivers honked on Massachusetts Street, as revelers hung out of sun roofs and windows sporting Jayhawk T-shirts and flags. Several said the celebration caught them by surprise because it's something typically reserved for basketball season around here.

"It was the best time of my life. I loved it," said Mike McCabe, a 2007 KU graduate who lives in Overland Park.

The Jayhawk football team arrives in Topeka about 1:30 p.m. today, with return to Lawrence sometime thereafter.

Staff writer George Diepenbrock contributed to this story.

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The_Voice_of_Reason (anonymous) says…

Rock Chalk all the way!!!
January 4, 2008 at 1:19 a.m.
compmd (anonymous) says…

Kansas Football: A Winning Tradition...

...since September. :)

The look on the VT coach's face at times was hilarious. Awesome game, and a great end to a great season. Rock Chalk!
January 4, 2008 at 2:10 a.m.
asimpleman (anonymous) says…

Huh?

Kansas Jayhawks (11-2)
2007 schedule and results
Date Time Opponent Score W/L/T Stories
Sat. Sep. 1 7:00 PM p.m. ET Central Michigan 52-7 W Box
Sat. Sep. 8 7:00 PM p.m. ET Southeastern Louisiana 62-0 W Box
Sat. Sep. 15 7:00 PM p.m. ET Toledo 45-13 W Box
Sat. Sep. 22 7:00 PM p.m. ET Florida International 55-3 W Box
Sat. Oct. 6 12:00 PM p.m. ET at Kansas State 30-24 W Box
Sat. Oct. 13 12:30 PM p.m. ET Baylor 58-10 W Box
Sat. Oct. 20 5:30 PM p.m. ET at Colorado 19-14 W Box
Sat. Oct. 27 7:00 PM p.m. ET at Texas A&M 19-11 W Box
Sat. Nov. 3 12:30 PM p.m. ET Nebraska 76-39 W Box
Sat. Nov. 10 8:00 PM p.m. ET at Oklahoma State 43-28 W Box
Sat. Nov. 17 3:30 PM p.m. ET Iowa State 45-7 W Box
Sat. Nov. 24 8:00 PM p.m. ET Missouri 28-36 L Box
Thu. Jan. 3 8:00 PM p.m. ET Virginia Tech 21-24 L Recap | Box

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/foot...
January 4, 2008 at 4:36 a.m.
yankeelady (anonymous) says…

Too bad Virginia Tech couldn't have a worthy opponent to play. rock chalk indeed. Now let's hear them explain why we didn't deserve to be there. What a great season, can't wait until next year.
January 4, 2008 at 5:02 a.m.
ohjayhawk (anonymous) says…

simpleman - They even have it wrong on VT's schedule/results page...

Virginia Tech Hokies (12-2)
2007 schedule and results
Date Time Opponent Score W/L/T Stories
Sat. Sep. 1 12:00 PM p.m. ET East Carolina 17-7 W Box
Sat. Sep. 8 9:15 PM p.m. ET at LSU 7-48 L Box
Sat. Sep. 15 1:30 PM p.m. ET Ohio 28-7 W Box
Sat. Sep. 22 1:30 PM p.m. ET William & Mary 44-3 W Box
Sat. Sep. 29 12:00 PM p.m. ET North Carolina 17-10 W Box
Sat. Oct. 6 6:00 PM p.m. ET at Clemson 41-23 W Box
Sat. Oct. 13 12:00 PM p.m. ET at Duke 43-14 W Box
Thu. Oct. 25 7:30 PM p.m. ET Boston College 10-14 L Box
Thu. Nov. 1 7:30 PM p.m. ET at Georgia Tech 27-3 W Box
Sat. Nov. 10 3:30 PM p.m. ET Florida State 40-21 W Box
Sat. Nov. 17 3:30 PM p.m. ET Miami (FL) 44-14 W Box
Sat. Nov. 24 12:00 PM p.m. ET at Virginia 33-21 W Box
Sat. Dec. 1 1:00 PM p.m. ET at Boston College 30-16 W Box
Thu. Jan. 3 8:00 PM p.m. ET at Kansas 24-21 W Recap | Box

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/foot...
January 4, 2008 at 7:07 a.m.
pimp11 (anonymous) says…

You can only ride on the coat tails of the V.Tech Tragedy for so long....... Its sad that people will look at this HUGE victory for KU and say," well Tech had a lot to deal with this season, so we're not surprised they werent clicking on all cylinders."

Give credit where credit is due!!!

rock chalk jayhawk!!!
January 4, 2008 at 8:16 a.m.
riverdrifter (anonymous) says…

Our claim to No. 1 is as legit as any. Screw the LSU/OSU game.
Say it loud and say it proud: We're No. 1!
January 4, 2008 at 8:17 a.m.
guesswho (anonymous) says…

Great job team!!

Maybe that game at Arrowhead really did help our players get used to a non-home game, national TV, etc. They didn't play with jitters.
January 4, 2008 at 8:20 a.m.
fleeba (anonymous) says…

Rock Chalk Jayhawk, Go KU!
Good job guys!!!
January 4, 2008 at 8:36 a.m.
hatfieldream (anonymous) says…

So happy and proud to be a Jayhawk this morning. But I am canceling my subscription to SI for having KU as 11-2 for the season and VT as 12-2. Seriously, what is up with that??
January 4, 2008 at 8:45 a.m.
NavyVet (anonymous) says…

how 'bout them /hawks, baby!!!
January 4, 2008 at 8:46 a.m.
NavyVet (anonymous) says…

how 'bout them 'hawks, baby!!!
January 4, 2008 at 8:46 a.m.
alm77 (anonymous) says…

How can Sports Illustrated STILL have it wrong nine hours later??? arrrrrggggggg. they suck.
January 4, 2008 at 9:04 a.m.
dminear60 (anonymous) says…

The Hawks showed real class and sportmanship when they took a knee. I am so proud to be a Jayhawk! Mangino was right, this is only the beginning of the football future at Kansas and we are no longer just a basketball school!
January 4, 2008 at 9:12 a.m.
HodgePodge (Erin Parmelee) says…

Gee, where are all those loud mouthed Mizzou fans this morning??

Rock on Jayhawks!!
January 4, 2008 at 9:20 a.m.
dminear60 (anonymous) says…

HodgePodge: Those lound mouthed Mizzou fans are posting comments on the KC Star and showing what truly poor sports they can be. This feels so great...nothing a Mizzou fan could say can take away from the fact that we are Orange Bowl Champs!
January 4, 2008 at 9:26 a.m.
jazzttt (anonymous) says…

Whatta year to be a Jayhawk! Seconds on the sportsmanship gesture by taking a knee. True, VTech HAS been through a lot this year, but their tragedy had nothing to do with the football team. I was a little worried at first when I saw the 2008 schedule with Texas, TTech, OU, and up-and-coming South Fla on it, but I think we'll do just fine, wasn't KU something like 5-1 against other bowl teams this year?--even one of our "cupcakes" {CMU} got to a bowl. Time to rally around the basketball team who's also on a mission to bring back some hardware from the final four, then look forward to beating the Tiggers in Arrowhead.
January 4, 2008 at 9:37 a.m.
HodgePodge (Erin Parmelee) says…

dminear60 (Anonymous) says:

HodgePodge: Those lound mouthed Mizzou fans are posting comments on the KC Star and showing what truly poor sports they can be. This feels so great:nothing a Mizzou fan could say can take away from the fact that we are Orange Bowl Champs!
---------------------------------------------------------------

Typical. No wonder they have a reputation for class. ;)
January 4, 2008 at 9:38 a.m.
jazzttt (anonymous) says…

Whatta year to be a Jayhawk! Seconds on the sportsmanship gesture by taking a knee. True, VTech HAS been through a lot this year, but their tragedy had nothing to do with the football team. I was a little worried at first when I saw the 2008 schedule with Texas, TTech, OU, and up-and-coming South Fla on it, but I think we'll do just fine, wasn't KU something like 5-1 against other bowl teams this year?--even one of our "cupcakes" {CMU} got to a bowl. Time to rally around the basketball team who're also on a mission to bring back some hardware from the final four, then look forward to beating the Tiggers in Arrowhead.
January 4, 2008 at 9:38 a.m.
Fatty_McButterpants (anonymous) says…

Can I get a picture of the look on Beamer's face after we blocked the VT field goal attempt? I want to hang it on my wall with the caption, "But they had a weak schedule!" underneath. Seriously, he looked like he was about to cry. It was awesome!
January 4, 2008 at 9:44 a.m.
FatTony (anonymous) says…

If you click through to the Game Recap the SI has it correct, its only on the team homepage that the record is wrong, either way still sloppy. Then again during the broadcast we were called Kansas State and in the pre recorded open, suddenly UK moved from Lexington to Lawrence.
January 4, 2008 at 9:52 a.m.
Valkyrie_of_Reason (Kathy Getto) says…

Way to go! What a great game.
January 4, 2008 at 9:58 a.m.
EXks (anonymous) says…

Hawks you rock! This has to be the best game in my life.
We were seconds and inches from scoring again, but we gracefully let the clock run out.

What a team! Coach M., what a speech you gave.

Congrats men!
January 4, 2008 at 9:58 a.m.
smithmagenis (anonymous) says…

Way to go gentlemen. Thank you for being such a class act and giving Lawrence even more to be proud of. Wonderful job, you deserve all that comes out of this for you.
January 4, 2008 at 10:07 a.m.
The_Original_Bob (anonymous) says…

Perhaps this will permantly keep OUMUfan away.
January 4, 2008 at 10:21 a.m.
Uhlrick_Hetfield_III (anonymous) says…

A great victory, I couldn't believe that Governor Roundheels tried to horn her way into the pictures after the screwing she's given KU the past couple of years.
January 4, 2008 at 10:24 a.m.
Dazie (Aileen Dingus) says…

Will there be a parade?
January 4, 2008 at 10:37 a.m.
Confrontation (anonymous) says…

Mass Street was a blast last night! We headed there right after the game, and the streets became congested really fast. This Jayhawk Spirit is the only thing that makes this town livable. Where is the baby Missery fan, Joshos? Still crying in his beer today?
January 4, 2008 at 10:38 a.m.
MUKUOUFan (anonymous) says…

Sorry "The_Original_Bob", not a chance! I've dissed on KU not deserving to be in the Orange Bowl for two weeks (much to your annoyance), and after last night's Orange Bowl I think it only appropriate for me to "man up" and say I was wrong. KU looked great, Coach Mangino has been a class act all the way, congratulations.
January 4, 2008 at 11:15 a.m.
Bone777 (anonymous) says…

Wee hee!!!
January 4, 2008 at 1:01 p.m.
MaryKatesPillStash (anonymous) says…

I'm betting there will be a parade. I think we've had them in the past. I thought they might schedule one for tomorrow, but I haven't heard anything, so I guess not.
January 4, 2008 at 1:27 p.m.
coolmarv (anonymous) says…

Good job Hawks!

Wasn't KU protecting their lead by 'taking a knee' more than 'not running up the score'? Didn't want to run the risk of that pigskin popping out again on the one. Maybe I'll finally have to buy a KU shirt supporting the football program. I'm not a big football fan but this year was great and a lot of fun.
January 4, 2008 at 1:30 p.m.
joshos (anonymous) says…

My my,
Do you people need stimulation that bad? If I ring a bell will you salivate like Pavlov's dogs?
I could throw out some excuses I heard from jayhawk nation after the loss to Mizzou (VT missed two field goals, it was cold and rainy, etc.) but I won't. I honestly thought you guys wouldn't score a point but you played well enough to win last night so good on you.
I was going to comment on the parachute sized black muumuu of a windbreaker Mangino was wearing but instead I have to focus on that moronic hat Boy Wonder wore after the game. For Pete's sake, you just won the biggest game of you career so why look like an imbecile by wearing the hat your grandparents bought on their Disney World vacation to a nationally televised press conference? Terrell Owens you are not.
January 4, 2008 at 1:54 p.m.
The_Original_Bob (anonymous) says…

" could throw out some excuses I heard from jayhawk nation after the loss to Mizzou (VT missed two field goals, it was cold and rainy, etc.) but I won't."

Um, you just did.
January 4, 2008 at 2:17 p.m.
ATOWN03 (anonymous) says…

The thing thats funny to me is, how little respect the jayhawks are STILL getting. It was all over blown when they got the bid and just about everyone in the sports media was tryin to say we didn't belong there. Now that we won, your not here much from espn or fox. ESPN'S Mark May is about a joke and he is always acting like his is the best in his field. After we won, it was so funny to sit and watch him talk about the game, when he talk about how much VT was going to come out and beat us...LMAO!
January 4, 2008 at 2:30 p.m.
craigers (anonymous) says…

I could swear that VT got one blocked!!!!
January 4, 2008 at 2:30 p.m.
HodgePodge (Erin Parmelee) says…

Honestly....why do people feel compelled to point out that Magino has (in the immortal words of Chris Farley) "a bit of a weight problem?" Do you think he doesn't know about it? And what in the heck does it have to do with his ability as a coach?
January 4, 2008 at 2:31 p.m.
dminear60 (anonymous) says…

joshos: Why don't you crawl back to Missiouri and whine? Your bitterness not very becoming, for you or the University of Missouri.
We are entitled to celebrate our victory and we will savor this for years. So shame on you for trying to belittle our fine team and our fine coaches.
January 4, 2008 at 3:22 p.m.
Confrontation (anonymous) says…

You all don't understand. Joshos is actually twice the size of Mangino, and that's after you add the camera weight. Joshos has never played football, or any other sport for that matter. His room (in his parent's basement) is actually covered with "I heart Mangino" posters. When he's not crying over Mizzou losses, he's fantasizing about Mangino riding in on a white horse and rescuing Mizzou's football program.
January 4, 2008 at 3:33 p.m.
dminear60 (anonymous) says…

Confrontation: Ouch, that was harsh...but deserved!
January 4, 2008 at 3:42 p.m.
OKjayhawk (anonymous) says…

Hey all!! I haven't posted in a while, but I would like to say on behalf of all the OU Sooners down here: Excellent Job! The guys looked great last night, and we're proud of ya'll!
January 4, 2008 at 3:55 p.m.
fabian_zimbabwe (anonymous) says…

Actually, I thought Todd's hat was quite sassy...wouldn't mind having one myself (if I knew where to buy one).
January 4, 2008 at 3:56 p.m.
Haiku_Cuckoo (anonymous) says…

Hats off to Coach Mangino, Lew Perkins and the football team!!
January 4, 2008 at 4:46 p.m.