
It's 308 miles between Norman, Okla., and Manhattan, Kan. Or about four and a half hours by bus. Unfortunately, Oklahoma's football team was flying there Friday instead.
It was anything but a typical day for the Sooners. Originally scheduled to leave Oklahoma City at 2:45 p.m. local time, the first plane was late to arrive. Then it had mechanical issues, putting the trip on indefinite hold.
The team used the downtime to their advantage, finding a place in the airport to watch film. Eventually, a replacement plane arrived -- and team finally boarded some eight hours later for the trip to Kansas.
Thankfully, the trip turned out to be uneventful, and the plane landed without incident in Manhattan.
Oklahoma senior associate athletic director Kenny Mossman kept a running social report going through the entire odyssey, in case you're interested:
Downside: We're still waiting on a plane to take us to Manhattan. Upside: It's a beautiful night to hang out on a tarmac.
— Kenny Mossman (@Kenny_Mossman) October 17, 2015
Props to our video staff. Team watched video in the FBO. #Sooners
— Kenny Mossman (@Kenny_Mossman) October 17, 2015
Not saying I'm bored out here, but I did look the definition of tarmac, which is actually short for tarmacadam.
— Kenny Mossman (@Kenny_Mossman) October 17, 2015
I wonder if @KState_Football would be willing to meet us halfway and play in a parking lot or prairie, whichever works best
— Ty Darlington (@TyDarlington56) October 17, 2015
Well look what we have here. pic.twitter.com/46V0IUJocY
— Kenny Mossman (@Kenny_Mossman) October 17, 2015
Pretty cool ... Eric Striker caught the pilot who brought in the back-up plane as he came down the stairs and thanked him.
— Kenny Mossman (@Kenny_Mossman) October 17, 2015
After a long day we have officially touched down in Manhattan. Thank you to the crew who got us here safely. We thank you.
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) October 17, 2015
Better to be late than never? Certainly the case for the Sooners.