THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
SPORTS
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2005
WWW.KANSAN.COM
PAGE 1B
VIEW FROM PRESS ROW
Offense bound for record book
Lack of touchdowns can score history
KELLIS ROBINETT
KROBINETT@KANSAN.COM
The Kansas football team has an offense that could end up being legendary. Of course, the records the Jayhawks might break are in futility and not success.
During the past two weeks, Kansas had by far the worst offensive unit of any team in the country.
None of the other 116 Division I football teams have scored fewer points during that time than the Jayhawks, who only scored a disgraceful six.
Heck, even Division I-AA The Citadel scored a touchdown in a game against Ole Miss two weeks ago. So, really, Kansas should be ranked even lower than 117th.
The sad thing is, the offense getting credit for even those six points doesn't do it justice.
Temple came in a close second with 10 points and Eastern Michigan did its best to claim ownership of the nation's least-effective unit, but still managed to score 11 points.
In actuality, this offense has scored negative points in its past two games. Against Kansas State, it turned the
ball over so deep in its own territory that the Wildcats made a field goal after moving backward.
Last Saturday, senior quarterback Brian Luke threw two early interce-
tions that gave Oklahoma 10 quick points. So, if you take away those 15 points from the six Kansas earned, that's negative seven points during a two-week span. Not even defensive shutouts win those games.
Of course no one keeps track of the points an offense costs a team, so other squads might have coughed up points on offense just as much as Kansas. Still, though, it's hard to imagine any team being worse.
It also has a legitimate chance at being the worst Kansas offense in modern history.
But comparing this year's offense to the rest of the nation is only the beginning.
Sure, Kansas scored more than 30 points in each of its three nonconference games, and for overall season purposes, the offense won't rank that low.
But since Oct. 1, the Jayhawks' offense has been as good at not scoring as anyone. And with a couple more weeks of three-point games, it will score the fewest conference points of any Kansas team since 1986, and have a chance to underscore the legendary
squad of 1944.
In 1986, Bob Valesenate was in his first year as Kansas football and his team 41 points in a
Big 8 Conference season. His record-setting year included being shut out in two conference games, with a 12-point showing at Kansas State, being his best effort.
coach,
scored
seven-game
This year's Kansas offense will end the
season with a total of 35 points in conference games if it continues to score three points in each of its remaining games.
In 1944, the Jayhawks scored 34 points in a five-game Big 6 Conference schedule, under coach Henry Shenk. That year, Kansas was shut out in three conference games but defeated Nebraska 20-0.
With a shutout in just one game — which is a possibility at Colorado, which blanked Oklahoma State earlier this year — Kansas could score fewer points during an eight-game conference season than the 1944 team scored in five.
But it deserves a special place in the record books if the Jayhawk offense continues its epically bad pace. Maybe something with an asterisk so future generations will know it also dragged down a stellar defense.
If the Jawhays could move the ball on offense, or ever establish a lead, the KU defense would have a chance to set some records of its own.
During the past two weeks Kansas had by far the worst offensive unit of any team in the country. None of the other 116 Division I football teams have scored fewer points during that time than the Jayhawks, who only scored a disgraceful six.
fense, holding opponents to fewer than two yards per rush and less than 70 vards per game.
Overall, the Jayhawks rank 24th in total defense.
Yes, this should have been the year for the defensive unit to set a few milestones. Instead, it's the offense that will be remembered — for all the wrong reasons.
♦ Robinett is an Austin, Texas, senior in journalism. He is Kansan sports editor.
SOCCER
Must go out kicking
Jayhawks need victories in last three games
BY ALISSA BAUER
abauer@kansan.com
KANSAN SPORTWRITER
Kansas needs a push.
With only three regular season games remaining, Kansas soccer coach Mark Francis said now was the time to win in order to have a chance at winning back-to-back conference championships.
"We're in a situation where we have to win our last three games," Francis said. "In terms of the postseason and trying to make the NCAA tournament we've got to win."
For the first time this season, a Kansas soccer game will be broadcast on the television. College Sports Television (CSTV) will broadcast the game against Texas on tape delay Tuesday.
The Jayhawks (8-6-2, 4-3-1 Big 12 Conference) will have home games against Colorado College today at 3 p.m. and Texas on Sunday at 1 p.m. to determine what the end of the seasons holds.
For the first time this season,
a Kansas soccer game will be broadcast on television. College Sports Television (CSTV) will broadcast the game against Texas on tape delay Tuesday.
On the home front, Kansas is averaging a 44 percent shot-on-goal rate and has allowed just 18 goals to its own 29.
Senior forward Caroline Smith needs just one goal this weekend to put her at 50 career goals scored. She is currently the 5th all-time Big 12 goal scorer. She enters the weekend with seven goals and 18 points.
despite a loss to Colorado last week. Hanley is looking to take over the starting goalkeeper spot after starting in goal the past two weeks.
Freshman goal keeper Julie Hanley holds a 4-1 record with a goals allowed against of .74.
"You always have to be on your toes," Hanley said earlier in the season.
Kansas returns to the Jayhawk Soccer Complex to play against a well-rested Colorado College squad. The Tigers last action came on Oct. 7 in a 1-0 victory against Texas Tech.
"We're playing well at the right time and I think that's key," Francis said.
SEE KICKING ON PAGE 5B
Jayhawk Lacey Novak, junior midfielder and forward, races Oklahoma Sooner Andrea Hurley, junior midfielder, to the ball during the Jayhawk's home game Oct. 9. Kansas faces off against Colorado College at home today at 3 p.m.
Kansan file photo
VOLLEYBALL
Jamie Mathewson, junior libero, prepares to hit the ball during Thursday's home game against Iowa State. Kansas will look to snap a four-match losing streak when it plays Baylor in Waco, Texas, at 7 p.m. on Saturday.
Josh Kirk/KANSAN
Kansas hopes to pick up pieces in Waco
BY MATT WILSON
mwilson@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
Kansas has won six of its past seven matches against Baylor, which it will see on Saturday, but Kansas also has to overcome a four-match losing streak heading into the Ferrell Center in Waco, Texas.
During the losing streak, the Jayhawks (12-7, 4-6 Big 12) dropped to sixth in the league after their latest loss, a four-game defeat at the hands of Iowa State Wednesday night.
First serve is set for 7 p.m.
Kansas defeated Baylor 3-0 on Sept. 24 in Lawrence. Baylor put up a tough fight despite bowing out in just three games. Two of those games went to extra points before the Iavhawks won.
At the time, the Jayhawks
Ray Bechard KU volleyball coach
"It will be very tough. There isn't an easy place to play on the road this year, but teams have gone on the road and won this year, and that's going to be our attitude."
"I
and Bears appeared to be two teams going in opposite directions. Since that match, however, Baylor has posted a better record than Kansas. The Bears are 2-5, while the Jayhawks are 1-5.
Last year, the teams split the season series with each team
winning at home. Kansas is just 1-2 on the road in league play this season. Kansas volleyball coach Ray Bechard said he had not lost sight of that fact.
Baylor (11-10, 3-7 Big 12) is coming off a road victory at Texas A&M on Wednesday night. The Bears defeated the Aggies 3-1 for their first victory in College Station, Texas, since 1992.
"It will be very tough," he said. "There isn't an easy place to play on the road this year, but teams have gone on the road and won this year, and that's going to be our attitude."
Junior outside hitter Nicole LeBlanc is seventh in the conference with 3.72 kills per game for Baylor. In addition, junior middle blocker Desiree Guiliard-Yount is playing well after missing the early portion
of the season with an injury. The preseason all-conference selection has recorded 10 or more kills in three of her past five matches.
Bechard said the Jayhawks had to move on despite the injury to junior outside hitter Jana Correa.
"I don't see that in the back of our players' minds," Bechard said. "We've talked about new roles and what they need to be. I'm not sure we've played the best we can play in this situation vet."
Senior middle blocker Josi Lima said the Jayhawks were on the right path to getting back in the victory column.
Edited by Nate Karlin
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