8
Wednesday. December 10.1975
University Daily Kansan
Pitt an unknown challenge
By ALLEN QUAKENBUSH
Associate Security Editor
Almost everybody has heard of Tony Dorsett. But does anybody know anything else about the University of Pittsburgh football team?
If you don't you aren't alone. Even the University of Kansas coaching staff knows very little about the Panthers—at least not vet,
Pitt will be KU's opponent in the Sun
Squad. He'll play in the CST (CST)
Pixyday, Dec. 2% in El Paso.
Because the KU coaches have spent the last two weeks on the road recruiting, they have a strong track record of success.
And finding time to watch film has been out of the question.
"I REALLY DON'T KNOW very much about them," offensive coordinator John Leva admitted. "We'll start watching film Monday, and I can tell you more about them."
But Pitt does have Dorsett, an All-America tailback who rushed for, 1,544 yards this season. That's enough to cause a lot of concern among the KU coaches.
Much like Kansas, the Panther offensive attack is based on its running game. Pitt rushed for 2,929 yards this season, an average of 263.3 yards a game.
"They have a good running attack," KU defensive tackle Mike Butler said. "They are a running team, an option team. Dorsett runs the ball a lot."
BUT DORSSET ISN'T the only threat in the Panther backyard. Fullback Elliott Walker has rushed for 700 yards and is averaging 5.2 yards an attempt. Quarrington Haygood are also running threats. They have combined for 335 yards this season.
Haygood and Cavanaugh have split the quarterback duties and, although Pitt isn't responsible for them, they reasonable success through the air. Haygood has completed 34 of 67 passes for 627 yards and three touchdowns. He scored 64 for 484 yards and seven touchdowns.
The Panthers possess a deep threat in wide receiver Gordon Jones. He has grabbed 18 passes for 359 yards and three touchdowns. Other prime targets are tight end Jim Cronk and Dorset, who caught 11 for 191 yards and three touchdowns.
IN ALL, THE PITT OFFENSE scored 250 points to its opponents' 142. The Jawhawk defense, which gave up only 147 points and was the best defense, should receive a stagnant test at El Paso.
But KU coach Bud Moore isn't sure that will be an advantage for the Jawhakes. He said the Panthers, because they don't see many wishbone teams, might put in a defense that was completely different from anything KU is used to facing.
"From what I understand," linebacker
david wittmann said, "our defense could be a little bit stronger."
The Pitt defense had three shutouts this year and gave up only nine points in a win over Cotton Bow-bound Georgia and only seven in a loss to Sugar Bow-bound Penn State. Still, KU players have a lot of confidence in their own defense.
But the KU offense also has the potential to give the Pitt defense fits. The Panthers see very few wishbone offenses in the East. The only time they faced one this season was against Oklahoma, which scored 46 points.
NO MATTER WHAT KIND of defense Pitt runs, linebacker Arnie Weatherington will probably be the man KU running backs will meet most often. Weatherington racked up 12 tackles in 11 games this year. Fellow Tom Perko finished behind him with 108.
"But," he added quickly, "I don't know that for a fact."
Pitt, which finished with a 74 record, wins a win over Notre Dame, in addition to its victory over Georgia. Three of the four Panther losses came to bowl-bound teams.
Pitt's All-America running back Tony Dorsett
Players resume practice
While the rest of the University settles down for finals, the KU football team is gearing up for its final practice sessions of the season and will meet Pittsburgh in the Sun Bowel Dec. 28.
After a two and one-half week layoff, the Jahyhaws will take the field again this afternoon. But they haven't been sitting around for weeks. There has been an important part of their schedule.
"I think everybody's mind has been on it (the game) the whole time," linebacker Rick Kovatch said. "I know that personally I'm very anxious to get back."
The Jayhawks will work out in sweats today and won't practice tomorrow because of finals. Friday and Saturday, the team will work in sweats and will put on pads next week.
"There may be some controlled scrimmage," coach Bud Moore said, "but no teeshots."
Safeties Chris Golub and Kurt Knoff will miss the Sun Bowl game because of knee surgery. Linebacker Mark Boyer also has knee problems and will miss the game. Kicker Dennis Kebel may not play.
KU women host 2 games
The KU women's junior varsity basketball team will play the Kansas State junior varsity at 7 tonight in Allen Field House.
The variety resumes its schedule with a game against St. Mary's at 3 p.m. Sunday in Allen. KU students will be admitted free to both games.
When you're ready for a study break we're ready for YOU.
HEY!
Coming at Christmas and for the New Year
Burt Reynolds-"Hustle"
Reynolds—"Hustle"
Walt Disney's "Snow White"
Redford & Dunaway—"Three Days of the Condor"
Al Pacino—"Dog Day Afternoon"
Sell it through Kansan want ads. Call the classified department at 864-4358
We wish you a MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR from
the VILLAGE SET 922 Massachusetts