Kansas University athletic director Sheahon Zenger took time away from KU’s season-opening football victory against McNeese State on Saturday to discuss the uncertain future of the Big 12 Conference.

“We were disappointed to hear the comments yesterday from Oklahoma,” said Zenger of comments from OU’s president about the Sooners’ wandering eyes. “We thought we had nine schools that were committed, strongly committed, to the conference but we don’t know anything else so there’s not much more than I can say or comment on other than to say the chancellor and I are in constant contact exploring all strategies that will benefit the University of Kansas and we still believe the best option is a strong Big 12 Conference with nine schools committed.”

Asked if he believed the Big 12 could survive with eight teams, should OU decide to leave, Zenger pointed toward his desire to continue to work with the rest of the league.

“That’s not something we’ve even… We’re not even thinking beyond this at this point,” he said. “I need to continue to visit with the conference leadership and the other ADs.”