Kansas to Host Louisiana Monroe Saturday Night

Sept. 6, 2006

Lawrence, Kan. — The University of Kansas (1-0, 0-0 Big 12) continues non-conference play at 6 p.m. Saturday when Louisiana Monroe (1-0, 0-0 Sun Belt Conference) visits Lawrence in the first-ever meeting between the two teams. The Jayhawks are riding a seven-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.

Kansas opened the season with a convincing 49-18 victory over Northwestern State last week behind a career-high 140 yards rushing from senior running back Jon Cornish. Redshirt-freshman quarterback Kerry Meier was solid in his collegiate debut, throwing for a pair of touchdowns and rushing for two additional scores. The KU special teams also put 14 points on the scoreboard, highlighted by Brian Murph’s 70 yard punt return for a touchdown. KU’s 49 points against the Demons represented the most points by the Jayhawks in a season-opener since 1992.

Louisiana Monroe enters Saturday’s game against the Jayhawks with a 1-0 record after defeating Alcorn State 24-6 in its season-opener. The Warhawks have won three of their last four games dating back to last season which saw ULM finish in a tie for first-place in the Sun Belt Conference with a 5-2 mark.

Saturday has been labeled “Heroes Night” at Memorial Stadium as Kansas Athletics and the Jayhawk football team will honor the service of the nation’s armed services personnel, veterans, firefighters, EMS personnel, law enforcement members and teachers. With valid identification, members of those groups can purchase tickets to the game against the Warhawks for just $5 each, while their family members can purchase tickets for $25 apiece. These special promotional tickets can be purchased prior to the game (in person only, at the Allen Fieldhouse Ticket Office) or on game-day at any of the Memorial Stadium ticket booths which open 2 1/2 hours prior to kickoff.

The first 25,000 fans to enter the stadium will receive a Jayhawk football scheule magnet, courtesy of University Financial Services. In addition, all members of the Junior Jayhawks Club will receive one reserved ticket to the game when they present their membership card at any ticket booth at the stadium. Family members can purchase additional tickets for $25 each.

Saturday will also serve as Band Day as more than 30 high school bands will perform at halftime with the KU Marching Band. In addition, to recoginize Family Weekend, the Office of New Student Orientation is offering a special ticket rate of $25.00 (each) for KU families.