LAWRENCE — After playing their first two home games at Children’s Mercy Park, the Kansas Jayhawks on Saturday will play the first of four remaining home games at Arrowhead Stadium.
First up is TCU (2-2), a team also trying to regain some footing after two straight losses. KU (1-3) enters on a three-game slide, but KU coach Lance Leipold is hoping the Jayhawk faithful will provide a spark that helps the team get back on track as it opens Big 12 play.
“We appreciate our fan support, and they’re needed as much as ever to make a difference,” Leipold said. “I know if they’re not disappointed or frustrated, they wouldn’t be a fan. I don’t underestimate that. That’s what happens here. But hopefully they show up and are energetic and can help us when we need them.”
KU’s previous home games this season were played on Thursday and Friday nights, which made it a little difficult to get recruits to the games. However, Leipold said that shouldn’t be an issue going forward.
“We’re expecting a big group this weekend, and we’re excited for it,” Leipold said. “I know they’ve been excited and just in the conversations we’ve had, from here on out I anticipate those numbers to be back where they normally are as far as gameday visits.
“Of course, the tough part about it is you don’t get to show this new facility or campus. But there are some that have made plans that if they’re traveling into town to stay overnight and come here on Sunday. So we’ll get that, but it was an exciting topic for recruits to play at Arrowhead, and we’re excited as well.”
Leipold said that despite the team’s slow start, he expects the Jayhawks to finish strong. In fact, he compared the early portion of the season to a book or a movie that starts slow but builds something special by the end. And he’s counting on his team to follow a similar path.
“This team still has a lot of season to play,” Leipold said. “I told them it’s kind of like reading books or watching a movie where they sometimes start off really slow, but they end up being quite a story at the end and I plan on this team being one.”
WHEELER MISSES PRACTICE
KU linebacker Cornell Wheeler missed practice Monday, and Leipold wasn’t sure if he’d play Saturday against TCU. Wheeler, who leads the team with 24 tackles, was injured in the fourth quarter against West Virginia. If Wheeler can’t play, Taiwan Berryhill and JB Brown will take his place.
KU-ARIZONA STATE KICKOFF SET
KU will play its first Bit 12 road game of the season when it travels to Tempe to face the Arizona State Sun Devils on Oct. 5. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. and the game will be televised on ESPN2.
