Lance Leipold honored Kansas’ Devin Neal with T-shirt after Jayhawks beat Iowa State

Kansas football coach Lance Leipold wore a blue “All-Time Rushing Leader Real Deal Devin Neal” T-shirt to his postgame news conference after the Jayhawks’ 45-36 victory over Iowa State on Saturday at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

“Did you buy one yet?” Leipold jokingly asked a media member who covered the historic game in which the fourth-year senior running back out of Lawrence High passed June Henley to place first on KU’s rushing list.

Seriously folks … Leipold and the Jayhawk players were thrilled for Neal, who gained 116 yards on 18 carries with two touchdowns in the lopsided win that upped KU’s league record to 2-4 (3-6 overall).

“We’re very happy for Devin and all of his teammates who have been part of this all the way through,” Leipold said. “We’ve talked many times about what kind of player he’s been, what kind of person he’s been, how humble and hardworking he’s been throughout this. I’m so happy he did it in front of our home fans in our home away from home for the season and not on the road. It’s a special moment for him.

“He’s done so much for us on and off the field and so much for us this season. He’s run physical. He’s been a very good receiver out of the backfield. I thought he had another outstanding game today.”

Let the record books state that Neal has gained 3,951 rushing yards for his career with three or four games remaining. KU has not been mathematically eliminated from bowl consideration as the season hits the home stretch.

Henley gained 3,841 yards from 1993 to ’96.

“I promise you I asked for a T-shirt. They said they’ve only got offensive lineman’s sizes,” said KU defensive back Mello Dotson, whose 25-yard interception return for a touchdown gave the Jayhawks a 45-28 lead with 5:58 left, ending any hopes of an ISU comeback.

“I remember the first day he got on campus, looking at him. His confidence was there from Day 1. I’m super proud of him also,” Dotson added.

Quarterback Jalon Daniels, who completed 12 of 24 passes for 295 yards and two TDs, also wore a “Real Deal Devin Neal” T-shirt to his postgame session with media members.

Neal, however, went with a KU shirt and “Rock Chalk Jayhawk” hat with a red and white tassel.

“Nah, I can’t do that, can’t do that,” an ever-modest Neal said of wearing a shirt that includes his own name and accomplishment. “I’m super blessed, super proud to be part of this special day.”

It didn’t take long for Neal to end the suspense regarding his setting the KU all-time record for career rushing yards.

Neal, who needed just seven yards to Henley, carried for 14 yards on KU’s first play from scrimmage. Receiver Quentin Skinner, who caught four passes for 135 yards and a TD, was the first to congratulate Neal after the 5-foot-11, 215-pounder’s record-setting 14-yard burst.

“There was ‘good job’ from the guys and ‘move on.’ We had to score,” said Neal. The Jayhawks scored on five of six drives in the first half.

Shortly after, when his record was announced to the crowd of 51,109, Neal shaped his hands into a heart for the fans to see.

“I mean being present with the fans … they’ve given a lot to the program,” said Neal. “It’s an honor all around. They’ve given so much to the program and community. It’s one of those dream-come-true type of moments. I’m really blessed to be on this team, it’s a unique honor to be on the team four straight years with the players and coaches, being in the locker room. It’s just awesome.”

Neal on Saturday also set the KU record for career rushing touchdowns. His two TDs off runs of 13 and 10 yards give him 43 TDs to Henley’s 41. Neal also surpassed Tony Sands Saturday for 100-yard rushing games. Neal has 18; Sands 17 from 1988 to ’91.

Prior to Saturday, Neal had already set the record for total TDs rushing and receiving. He has 46 total to Henley’s 43.

“I didn’t talk to any of them (this week),” Neal said of Sands and Henley. “I’ve had a lot of conversations with Tony Sands though. He said he’d come to the Colorado game. It’s so awesome to talk to great guys like him. He and others laid a great foundation.”

Neal, who is approaching 4,000 career yards said: “I mean I never thought I’d be in this position. I never thought I’d play as a true freshman, being thrown in the fire with a real young team.”

QB Daniels, who said he didn’t realize Neal broke the career rushing record on that first-quarter carry, said he’s thoroughly looking forward to the final three games — at BYU, at home against Colorado and at Baylor. Three victories would make KU bowl eligible.

“We haven’t seen the whole potential of this team,” Daniels said. “I’m excited to see what this team continues to do the rest of this season.”