Kansas Jayhawks running back Devin Neal talks with the media after his team upset the Oklahoma Sooners.
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00:00 >> Well, looking back, I don't think I was supposed to score.
00:07 But at the end of the day, got in there, that meant a lot to me.
00:11 I know it meant a lot to the team as well, but
00:13 it has a little bit different feeling just getting that win.
00:16 And just having a team come together in such adverse moments,
00:19 it was a really up and down game.
00:21 So I'm just super proud of the guys for sure.
00:23 >> Bianchini from Lawrence, when you committed here,
00:26 you said you wanna turn this thing around.
00:27 Obviously, more work to do, but today pretty monumental step there.
00:30 When you're on that field at the end of the game,
00:32 all the fans around you doing that post game interview,
00:33 can you just kinda, did you take a second to reflect or
00:36 still haven't even hit you yet?
00:37 >> I don't think it's really hit me yet.
00:38 Just being able to come to this university and
00:41 really do what I set out to do.
00:43 I mean, a lot of people get to do that.
00:44 So I think it's a really surreal feeling for me.
00:46 And the first person I looked at was my parents,
00:49 cuz they knew how hard it was gonna be.
00:51 They knew the challenges ahead, but they're just so happy and so proud of me.
00:54 And so I was just really excited to be able to do that for them.
00:56 >> What was the message to Jason after that second interception as you guys
00:59 head onto the field for that final offensive series?
01:01 >> Yeah, I mean, we let him know that we're with him no matter what.
01:03 And it was tough coming, the interception was bad timing.
01:07 But at the end of the day, like I said, we rock with one another tightly as a unit.
01:12 So we knew we had to be behind him and
01:14 we knew that he was just gonna perform when he needed to and he did just that.
01:16 >> Can you talk about the poise that he showed on that final series?
01:19 >> Yeah, I mean, that was remarkable and special from him.
01:23 Especially coming back from the drive that it was, he completely flushed it.
01:27 And he went back and just did his job.
01:28 And he threw crucial ball at the right moment.
01:31 So I'm super proud of him and super proud of the line for holding up.
01:34 And it was just really special.
01:36 >> After the pick, can you explain or the credits that goes to the defense,
01:41 to TFLs, as well as the clock management by the coaching staff to
01:46 put you guys in position with enough time to make that drive?
01:50 >> Yeah, I mean, I've talked about it even before the season started.
01:52 A lot of people doubted our defense, but
01:54 we weren't one of those group of guys in this building.
01:56 So super special performance by those guys, winning the turnover battle.
02:01 It was just really good for us.
02:03 It was just really special and super proud of the guys at the end of the day.
02:07 And they're definitely gonna reflect on this one at the end of the day.
02:10 >> Despite the couple of setbacks,
02:12 a couple of bad plays that Jason had for him to ask to speak to the team after
02:17 the game, what have you seen the maturity of him in that role?
02:22 >> Yeah, I mean, it's just special him.
02:25 We didn't know if he was gonna come back.
02:26 So for him to come back and to put on a performance like this,
02:29 it meant a lot to him.
02:30 And we all knew it.
02:30 So for him to get up in front of the group, we all knew that he made mistakes,
02:35 but so did all of us.
02:36 And so for him to flush that and throw his pride away and
02:40 just thank everyone around him for letting him come back and
02:43 just being the type of unit that we are.
02:45 I know it meant a lot to him and I know it meant a lot to us as well.
02:47 >> For homecoming, so many guys who played in this program to come back,
02:51 to stay connected, what does that bond mean to the guys currently on this team?
02:57 >> Yeah, I mean, I just think it's really cool for
02:58 those guys to come back and see us perform.
03:00 I know a lot of alumni have waited for this moment for a long time.
03:03 And for us to be this special group that has done it, it means a lot to us.
03:08 And a lot of those guys came into the locker room and
03:10 we could just see their smile like they were out there as well.
03:12 So it was just a really cool moment.
03:14 >> Hey, Devin, 70 recruits at the game.
03:16 >> Yeah.
03:17 >> What kind of message can this send to them and show them?
03:20 >> Yeah, I mean, it just shows them that we're a real deal.
03:23 We're a team that's gonna fight to the end and we can beat top tier teams and
03:26 that's what we've shown.
03:27 And it's just a good message, just come to Kansas, man.
03:31 Just change the program, that's where we're starting, and
03:33 they can be a part of a great legacy for sure.
03:35 >> Wasn't that the most hyped the locker room had been in a while?
03:38 >> Yeah, it's been a long time.
03:39 >> Since you've been here?
03:40 >> Yeah, I mean, the other one was in Austin.
03:41 So those are two cool moments and this one, I think, topped that one for sure.
03:46 It just felt really good.
03:48 >> Just a lot of programs, a lot of guys, they say, we're gonna change it around,
03:52 we're gonna change this around, it doesn't happen.
03:54 And then y'all come here, you beat Texas one year, you beat Oklahoma one year, and
03:59 it's actually turned around.
04:01 So just what does that feel like to actually do what everyone wants to do?
04:05 >> Yeah, I mean, like I said earlier, I mean, it's a dream come true for me.
04:08 Like you said, you can simply say it, but
04:10 it doesn't mean anything unless you act on it.
04:12 So for us to act on it, be a part of this special group of guys who's truly bought
04:16 into this program since two years ago, it was tough sledding at first.
04:20 But we got in the right place when we needed to, and
04:24 now it's all full momentum ahead, and I'm just super glad to be part of this group.
04:27 >> Devin, Mason said that you guys actually got to see Lance smile after
04:30 the game, was that pretty special for you guys?
04:33 >> Yeah, I mean, he smiles after we win.
04:34 I know Mason likes to troll Coach Lightfoot a little bit, but
04:38 he smiles a lot more than people think.
04:39 So, but yeah, I mean, I know he's super proud of us and the amount of work we put
04:44 in, and obviously our staff puts us in a great position as well too.
04:46 So it was just a great win all around.
04:48 >> What were your emotions watching the last minute drive?
04:52 >> Very nervous, just not knowing what was gonna happen, but
04:55 I'm still confident in our defense to get that stop at the end.
04:57 >> When Jason threw that second interception,
05:00 did the offense think they would get a chance after that?
05:02 >> Yeah, I mean, we were super confident in our defense today.
05:06 And like I said earlier, those are a special group of guys who was really
05:09 balling on a different level today.
05:11 So I just see the amount of effort and guys flying to the ball today from them,
05:14 and they created turnovers when we needed them to.
05:17 So it was just a really special performance.
05:19 >> Devin, third year in a row under Lance Lightfoot that you guys have played
05:22 Oklahoma really, really close.
05:24 How much were those prior to games where you lost close games motivation for
05:28 this year?
05:29 And what is it about the way you guys play against Oklahoma that allows you to play
05:32 them so well?
05:33 >> Yeah, I mean, definitely those losses hurt.
05:35 I mean, close losses hurt a little bit more, I think.
05:38 And I just think we look back on those games as a reflection of what we can be and
05:43 also what we need to do better.
05:44 And so as up and down as this game was with the delay and
05:48 adverse moments with turnovers and stuff like that, I think we all came together as
05:53 a unit and we just flushed all that and we just got back to doing what we do best.
05:57 And that's just being a gritty team.
05:58 And if we take teams to the fourth quarter like we know we can,
06:02 it's gonna be really hard for our opponent.
06:04 >> Devin, you've heard a lot of people ask you about going to another ball game.
06:07 >> Yeah. >> But four games after,
06:08 you guys got a chance to be in the Big 12 race too.
06:10 >> Right. >> How does that feel?
06:11 >> Yeah, I mean, that feels amazing to us.
06:12 And after the loss to Texas, a lot of people could have been down and
06:17 been like, our chance is gone.
06:19 But we still come to work every day and we've had a couple of tough losses.
06:22 But this one, it trumps all that in my opinion.
06:25 And we definitely have more work to be done, but
06:27 it's just really cool just to be a part of this team.
06:29 >> 100%, and just, what do you believe for the SEC?
06:32 Does it make it more special?
06:33 Can I leave them with an L?
06:34 >> Yeah, I mean, I'll take that.
06:37 But for us, it was just really about just getting our gig back.
06:40 That's what we talk about a lot, is getting our revenge game back.
06:43 So it was just really cool to play them.
06:45 I know a few guys on their team too, so
06:47 that was obviously got some brownie points there too.
06:49 >> Would you wanna play them again?
06:51 >> Yeah, 100%, I would love to play those guys.
06:53 I mean, the amount of fun that game was, even coming out into the delay with
06:59 pouring rain, but seeing how hype the crowd is and seeing everyone that did stay.
07:04 And just our guys in Seattle, happy we were just to play football.
07:07 That's all, at the end of the day, it is a game, so just enjoying it,
07:10 it meant a lot to us.
07:11 >> Did you hear about the goalposts?
07:12 >> No, I got out as soon as I could.
07:14 >> [LAUGH] >> So they ended up in the lake.
07:17 >> Yeah, how many people ended up in the lake?
07:18 >> [LAUGH] >> Yeah.
07:20 >> I, ugh.
07:21 >> [LAUGH] >> I'm good on that.
07:25 >> Devin, you being a Lawrence guy, obviously you have a lot of prior knowledge
07:29 about the way that this program is.
07:30 But seeing the way that they've been able to kind of develop
07:33 under Lance Lightpole, what does it mean to you to be able to play in these types
07:36 of games?
07:36 And at what point did you go from hoping to play in these types of games to expecting
07:40 to be able to play in these types of games?
07:41 >> Yeah, I mean, after my freshman year, first year under Coach Lightpole,
07:46 we knew we wanted to set really a baseline for us.
07:49 I mean, we're really basic of offense and defense and special teams.
07:52 And so at that point, it was kind of we wanted to hope to get in those games.
07:56 Then we did get in those games at the end of the season.
07:58 So then that led to our confidence in the last two years.
08:01 And now we know we can hang with anybody.