Jayhawks to Host Demons in Season-Opener
Sept. 1, 2006
LAWRENCE, Kan. — The University of Kansas (0-0, 0-0 Big 12) opens the 2006 football campaign at 6 p.m. Saturday against Northwestern State (0-0, 0-0 Southland Conference) in the first-ever meeting between the two teams. The Jayhawks are riding a six-game home win streak into the contest at Memorial Stadium where the team has not lost since No. 6 Texas claimed a 27-23 come-from-behind victory on Nov. 13, 2004.
“We have prepared well all week and we feel great about our ball club,” said KU Head Coach Mark Mangino. “Our kids are tired of hitting each other and are looking forward to hitting somebody else.”
The Jayhawks return a strong nucleus of players on both sides of the ball as 42 letterwinners are back, including 22 on offense, 18 on defense and two specialists. In addition, the Jayhawks return seven starters on offense, three on defense and two specialists. After record-setting offensive displays during the early portion of Mangino’s tenure, the last two clubs have showcased some of KU’s best defenses in over 40 years. Jayhawk fans hope the two components will join forces in 2006 and lift the team to its first Big 12 North title.
Northwestern State enters the game against the Jayhawks after posting a 5-5 overall record in 2005 in cluding a 3-3 (tie-3rd) mark in Southland Conference play. The Demons return 36 letterwinners including eight starters (three on offense, five on defense) and three specialists. NSU was picked to finish third during the 2006 season in the Southland Conference preseason polls.
KU will play seven games at Memorial Stadium in 2006, including conference tilts against Kansas State, Texas A&M, Oklahoma State and Colorado. Public season tickets are $225. Faculty/staff season tickets are $180 and recent graduate packages are $150 (2004-06 graduation date). Family-Zone packages are also available for $300. The Family -Zone, located in the North Bowl, includes two adult and two youth general admission tickets. Fans can purchase their 2006 tickets online – kuathletics.com – or by contacting the ticket office at 800-34-HAWKS.
— KU —
