Lawrence, Kansas - In 1886, University of Kansas Chemistry professor E. H. S. Bailey originally wrote a yell for the KU Science Club, modeled after the rhythmic clack of a train rolling on tracks. The chant began as
"Rah, Rah, Jayhawk, K.U." but was later changed by an English professor to "Rah, Rah" to "Rock Chalk" to rhyme with Jayhawk and honor the chalky limestone found on Mount Oread where the campus sits. Chalky limestone is very soft, light, and powdery and easily leaves a mark.
The home crowd at tonight's Fordham-Kansas game was anything but soft and light, providing a raucous background as the Rams fell to the 17
th-ranked Jayhawks, 95-65.
Senior forward
Akira Jacobs led the Rams with a career-high 20 points, shooting 5-for-6 from behind the arc while senior guard
Lateef Patrick, Jr., added 13 points and freshman guard
Hassan Koureissi finished with ten in the collegiate debut.
The Rams trailed by 12 at the half, 43-31, but Jacobs got them right back into the game with a three-pointer and tip-in over the first minute of the second half to cut the Fordham deficit to seven, 43-36.
Kansas got the lead back to 14, 52-38, with 16:13 left when a Patrick basket started a 10-2 run as the Rams pulled withing six, 54-48, on a Patrick jumper with 14:10 remaining.
But the Jayhawks responded with a 19-3 run to take a commanding 73-51 lead with 8:47 on the clock.
Notes
• Jacobs' previous career-high was 18 against LIFE Pacific when he played at Hawaii in 2024.
• Fordham got its third look at Kansas guard Melvin Council, Jr., playing for his third team (Council played at Wagner and S. Bonaventure prior to playing at Kansas).
• KU has won 54-straight home openers, beginning in 1973-74 under head coach Ted Owens.
• KU head coach Bill Self is 24-0 al-time in home openers.
• Allen Fieldhouse holds the Guinness World Record for loudest crowd roar.
By the Numbers
6 – Rebounds by Abas Bodija and
Rikus Schulte to lead the Rams.
7 – Assists for junior guard
Amir Lindsey.
10 – Different Rams who scored tonight.
12 – Steals by the Rams, led by three from Koureissi..
13 – Three-pointers hit by Fordham tonight.
15 – Offensive rebounds by the Rams.
54 – Straight wins in home openers for the Jayhawks.
883 – All-time wins for Kansas in Allen Fieldhouse.
The largest crowd for a Fordham men's basketball game since 19,200 turned out at Arkansas in 2022.
What's Next?
• The Rams return to the Bronx to open the home portion of the 2026-27 schedule by hosting the
Stonehill College Skyhawks on Thursday, November 5 at 7:30 p.m.
• It will be the second meeting between Fordham and Stonehill on the hardwood.
• The Rams won the first meeting, 71-60, on November 22, 2022 in the Rose Hill Gym.
• Fordham is 52-14 all-time versus teams from the Northeast Conference.
