Orange Bowl

Kansas Football Press Conference quotes (courtesy KU Sports Information) Head Coach Mark Mangino: On going to the Orange Bowl: "We have accepted an invitation to the FedEx Orange Bowl against Virginia Tech. It's an exciting day here at the University of Kansas. What you see here is a culmination of a bunch of young players working hard, working together, making great sacrifices, a great staff of assistant coaches, tireless work and family sacrifices to get Kansas' football program in the national spotlight.

by Richard Smith For the first time ever, Kansas is bowling with the big boys. The Jayhawks' 11-1 season earned them their first-ever invitation to a BCS bowl Sunday night--they'll play 11-2 Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl January 3rd in Miami. It will be KU's third trip to the Orange Bowl overall, but first since 1969. The Jayhawks lost 15-14 to Penn State in that game, and 20-14 to Georgia Tech in the 1948 Orange Bowl. Virginia Tech claimed the ACC championship with a 30-16 win over Boston College Saturday.

KU is Orange Bowl bound but for the many fans who can't make it all the way to Miami, the commemorative souvenirs are already ready for purchase in Kansas. Sports Time Fan Shop is the first store in Wichita to get the Orange bowl shirts. In fact, they've even to a waiting list of people who want to buy the merchandise. Other sports stores say they will be getting shirt shipments mid-week. "The orange bowl is very prestigious," explained Tad Snarenberger of Sports Time. "It's a very big deal.

Marking the second time South Florida will "double host" two BCS Bowl games -- the Discover Orange Bowl on Jan. 1, 2013, and the Discover BCS National Championship Game on Jan. 7, 2013 the BCS group and the Orange Bowl Committee have unveiled the 2013 Discover BCS National Championship Game logo. The BCS National Championship Game logo incorporates colors and elements that represent the beauty of South Florida. The blue waves represent the world famous beaches of South Florida, while the iconic Orange Bowl orange represents nearly 80 years of college football excellence in South Florida.

While the Jayhawk football team enjoys their victory celebrations in Lawrence, their families are enjoy the victory from the comfort of their homes. We caught up with one proud family -- the Carneys in Haven. While most Kansans watched the Orange Bowl hoping for a Jayhawk win, the Carneys watched for Number 29. "We looked for him," said Michelle Carney with a grin, "we couldn't find him on the sideline, we looked everywhere for him. But he was there. " She and her husband Mark and their four children - Asheli, Markisha, Chardenannae, and Mark Jr. - all watched for freshman Isiah Barfield.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Expect at least a few chants of "Rock Chalk, Jayhawk" to bounce off the Statehouse rotunda this week. On Friday, legislators and Gov. Kathleen Sebelius will honor the University of Kansas football and basketball teams for their accomplishments. Men's basketball coach Bill Self will bring members of his national championship team to Topeka. The Jayhawks won their first title since 1988, beating Memphis in overtime, 75-68. Kansas finished the season 37-3.

MIAMI, Florida (AP) - It took more than brawn to get Kansas to the Orange Bowl. The Jayhawks believe brains had something to do with their 11-1 season, too. And they've got the stats to back up their case. Starting defensive ends Russell Brorsen and John Larson have both been named to academic All-America teams. Quarterback Todd Reesing averaged straight-A's in high school and was admitted into the university's honors program almost immediately. Coaches and players believe that intelligence and application to academics are key reasons Kansas is one of the most mistake-free teams in the country.

Kansas won't have to look far Saturday to find an example of a program that has clawed its way to respectability. Baylor was one of the worst programs in college football when Art Briles took over. With a win over the Jayhawks, they could become bowl eligible in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1991-92. The Bears were 31-94 over the 11 season before Briles arrived. The Jayhawks won the Orange Bowl just a few years ago. But at 2-7 and without a Big 12 win this season, time is running out for coach Turner Gill to engineer an upset victory and perhaps salvage Year 2 of his own rebuilding project.

New Kansas coach Turner Gill and Texas Tech's Tommy Tuberville had differing debuts, and the Big 12's newest coaches now have different challenges going into Week 2. After losing 6-3 at home to lower-division FCS team North Dakota State in Gill's first game, the Jayhawks now have to get ready for 16th-ranked Georgia Tech (1-0), which played in the Orange Bowl last season. Gill thinks the unexpected loss and how good the Yellow Jackets are "will get everybody focused and ready to get better.

by Richard Smith The summer before his senior year of high school, Texas prep standout Todd Reesing and his father set off on a cross-country tour in search of a football scholarship. It did not go well. "I'd go to camps, and everywhere it was the same," Reesing recalls. "Even when I'd throw the ball they'd say 'He throws well, but he's just too short.' It always came down to that. "After awhile it was like, if you don't want me here, fine--just say so. Don't waste my time, I won't waste yours.

Marking the second time South Florida will "double host" two BCS Bowl games -- the Discover Orange Bowl on Jan. 1, 2013, and the Discover BCS National Championship Game on Jan. 7, 2013 the BCS group and the Orange Bowl Committee have unveiled the 2013 Discover BCS National Championship Game logo. The BCS National Championship Game logo incorporates colors and elements that represent the beauty of South Florida. The blue waves represent the world famous beaches of South Florida, while the iconic Orange Bowl orange represents nearly 80 years of college football excellence in South Florida.

Kansas won't have to look far Saturday to find an example of a program that has clawed its way to respectability. Baylor was one of the worst programs in college football when Art Briles took over. With a win over the Jayhawks, they could become bowl eligible in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1991-92. The Bears were 31-94 over the 11 season before Briles arrived. The Jayhawks won the Orange Bowl just a few years ago. But at 2-7 and without a Big 12 win this season, time is running out for coach Turner Gill to engineer an upset victory and perhaps salvage Year 2 of his own rebuilding project.

New Kansas coach Turner Gill and Texas Tech's Tommy Tuberville had differing debuts, and the Big 12's newest coaches now have different challenges going into Week 2. After losing 6-3 at home to lower-division FCS team North Dakota State in Gill's first game, the Jayhawks now have to get ready for 16th-ranked Georgia Tech (1-0), which played in the Orange Bowl last season. Gill thinks the unexpected loss and how good the Yellow Jackets are "will get everybody focused and ready to get better.

By Eyewitness Sports (LAWRENCE, Kan.) Mark Mangino has resigned as head football coach at the University of Kansas, effective immediately. Athletics Director Lew Perkins released the following statement on KU's website Thursday night: "We appreciate the eight years that Mark has given to rebuilding our football program. He and I have reached a mutually satisfactory agreement that reflects the appreciation we have for his efforts on behalf of Kansas Football. " "As you know we have recently completed an internal review of the football program.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Expect at least a few chants of "Rock Chalk, Jayhawk" to bounce off the Statehouse rotunda this week. On Friday, legislators and Gov. Kathleen Sebelius will honor the University of Kansas football and basketball teams for their accomplishments. Men's basketball coach Bill Self will bring members of his national championship team to Topeka. The Jayhawks won their first title since 1988, beating Memphis in overtime, 75-68. Kansas finished the season 37-3.

While the Jayhawk football team enjoys their victory celebrations in Lawrence, their families are enjoy the victory from the comfort of their homes. We caught up with one proud family -- the Carneys in Haven. While most Kansans watched the Orange Bowl hoping for a Jayhawk win, the Carneys watched for Number 29. "We looked for him," said Michelle Carney with a grin, "we couldn't find him on the sideline, we looked everywhere for him. But he was there. " She and her husband Mark and their four children - Asheli, Markisha, Chardenannae, and Mark Jr. - all watched for freshman Isiah Barfield.

by Richard Smith 10:55pm Jayhawks win the Orange Bowl in Miami, Final Score: 24-21. No defensive stand necessary. KU successfully runs out the clock, and the Hokies never get the opportunity to make it interesting by driving for the win. Assuming Mark Mangino was starting to sweat it out a little at the end, it's probably not an issue now. He got a nice gatorade bath courtesy of his players. 10:45pm Not so fast! Virginia Tech drives 78 yards for a touchdown with three minutes left.

MIAMI, Florida (AP) - The Kansas Jayhawks practiced in an unusual cold rain in southern Florida. Skies were sunny when Virginia Tech (11-2) went through its workout in preparation for tomorrow night's kickoff. Coach Mark Mangino says the showers were no more of a distraction than anything else has been since Kansas (11-1) arrived in Florida. Mangino says the players have handled everything pretty well and seem focused. Virginia Tech is playing in its 15th straight bowl game.

by Richard Smith The summer before his senior year of high school, Texas prep standout Todd Reesing and his father set off on a cross-country tour in search of a football scholarship. It did not go well. "I'd go to camps, and everywhere it was the same," Reesing recalls. "Even when I'd throw the ball they'd say 'He throws well, but he's just too short.' It always came down to that. "After awhile it was like, if you don't want me here, fine--just say so. Don't waste my time, I won't waste yours.

MIAMI, Florida (AP) - It took more than brawn to get Kansas to the Orange Bowl. The Jayhawks believe brains had something to do with their 11-1 season, too. And they've got the stats to back up their case. Starting defensive ends Russell Brorsen and John Larson have both been named to academic All-America teams. Quarterback Todd Reesing averaged straight-A's in high school and was admitted into the university's honors program almost immediately. Coaches and players believe that intelligence and application to academics are key reasons Kansas is one of the most mistake-free teams in the country.