Kansas football fans in Lawrence proud of the effort in Liberty Bowl overtime thriller
The most successful football season for the University of Kansas (6-7) since 2008 came to a close on Wednesday night in a 55-53 triple-overtime thriller to Arkansas (7-6) in the Liberty Bowl.
A 25-point comeback in the last 3:19 of regulation forced overtime, but Arkansas would ultimately come away with the two-point win.
KU football fans in Lawrence rode a rollercoaster of emotions, from the lows of trailing 24-7 after the first quarter to the highs of an incredible comeback.
More:Kansas football's comeback effort falls short in Liberty Bowl 3 OT loss to Arkansas
A season to remember
Despite the tough result from the Liberty Bowl, KU fans in Lawrence on Wednesday night were proud of their football team.
Lawrence resident Casey Graver is a longtime KU football fan, spending home games at David Booth Memorial Stadium and away games with his roommates watching the games.
"It was the unreal start right? 5-0, going to every game being so invested," said Graver. "When we beat West Virginia on that pick-six, I literally ran out into the pouring rain into the street with no shoes and just laid there for five minutes I was so excited.
"As one of the few bigger KU football and basketball fans here, it's been like, honestly, like the happiest year of my life."
KU senior Nathan Griesemer was disappointed on Wednesday night but proud of what this group accomplished.
"Watching them overcome everything they've had to overcome in the past 10, more than 10 years," said Griesemer. "It's been a great time watching them and I'm proud of them."
KU junior Trey Kays has been a fan since he was a young kid and said the support of the team has been awesome to watch.
"Everyone's into it. We sold out the bowl game. We packed (David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium)," said Kays. "It's been such a great time.
"Before it was, 'Oh, KU's playing today. Whatever,' This year, everyone's like, 'Oh man, it's Saturday. Let's go out,' Everyone wants to do something. Before that, it was just another day, basically."
Cory Nguyen works security for Logie's on Mass Street, a popular venue on Wednesday night with many KU fans either in Memphis or back home for winter break, and said he noticed the crowds get bigger week to week.
"We had the five-winning game streak (to start the year)," said Nguyen, a junior at KU. "That whole winning streak was absolutely electric.
"All that really matters, first bowl in 14 years? That's awesome."
The future is bright
Disappointed faces were aplenty in downtown Lawrence after the game, but fans talked to talked about their excitement for what's to come.
"Even though it's not been the best performance tonight, I know next year it's just gonna be better," said Kays. "There's so many good people (coming back). Lance Leipold, he's so good."
Reed Pfeifer, a junior at KU, echoed those sentiments.
"I've watched them my whole life," said Pfeifer. "This is great. Like to battle back from being down 31-7 and to get to overtime? Triple OT, force it to two-point conversions? That's pretty good."
The praises of Leipold have been sung all year, deservedly so, and the fans leaving Lawrence after the game continued to show their support for the head coach.
"Lance (Leipold), not to over-exaggerate," said Graver. "But he's brought a lot more happiness to my life. Knowing that they have a chance to win every Saturday puts a legit smile on my face. I look forward to it every week.
"We're gonna be good next year. We have people coming in and everybody comes back."
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: KU football fans react to overtime thriller from Lawrence
