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UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Thursday, November 2, 1967
Ranked second in passing
Hawk offense splurges
KU's renewed offense ranks second in passing and third in scoring in latest figures released by the Big Eight Conference.
In the last three weeks, the Jayhawk offensive unit, led by quarterback Bob Douglass, has crossed enemy goal lines for 64 points and gained nearly 1,000 total yards.
Photo by Gene Wee
READY OR NOT, HERE I COME . . .
KU flankerback Don Shanklin (with ball) cuts behind blocker Tommy Ball (20) on a punt return against Iowa State. Shanklin is currently listed second in the conference in punt returns.
KU's offensive splurge was achieved against two of the Big Eight's leading defensive teams, Nebraska—this week's team leader in rushing and passing defense—and Oklahoma State—the No.2 ranked team in the conference in pass defense.
Offense ranks fourth
For the three game period (all conference games), the Jayhawks' total offense production has reached a total of 998 yards, raising the seasonal per game average to 291.7 yards, fourth in the league.
KU's three-game total offense average of just under 333 yards per game has been bettered only by Oklahoma. However, the Hawkers' scoring total of 64 points for the three games tops Oklahoma's production for a like period by four points.
The Crimson and Blue have completed 55 of 120 aerial attempts for an average of 151.3 yards per game—second in the league behind Nebraska.
Third in scoring
The Jayhawks also rank third in the conference in scoring offense this week behind Oklahoma and Colorado. Latest figures show KU is scoring an average of 19 points per contest, while its opponents are averaging 15.7 per ball game.
Douglass again continues to
KU's Junior Riggins leads the lead the conference on an individual basis. The junior signal caller from El Dorado heads three Big Eight offensive departments—scoring with 36 points, passing with 902 yards, and total offense with a combined running-passing total of 1,056 yards, nearly 200 yards more than his nearest opponent, Bob Anderson of Colorado.
Douglass' 204-yard passing performance against Iowa State is a Big Eight best to date.
Big Eight in kickoff returns with 244 yards on 11 returns, an average of 22.2 yards per carry.
Robert Pierson, Lawrence junior, is the team's outstanding all-around performer, Lockwood said. The KU mentor expects Pierson to win first in several events in the conference. Pierson was named "Midwest Gymnast of the Week" last year, also, for his performance in four events against Colorado State College.
Other members of the varsity and their events are; Doug Buee, high bar and long horse; John Edwards, parallel bars; Dick Martin, side horse and rings; Fred McCracken, parallel bars; Galen Musgrave, high bar and parallel bars; John Moore, trampoline; Gregg Sackrider, side horse; Craig Simmons, side horse; and Bob Fast, side horse.
The rings and high bar are the speciality of Jim Worcester. Lombard, Ill., senior. Lockwood said. Worcester's main asset, according to Lockwood, is his strength moves on the rings.
Dixon, Olathe senior, was ranked nationally last year in horizontal bar competition and should pose a threat for the conference title this year in that event, Lockwood said He is competing in the high bar, parallel bars and rings, also.
Pierson no.1 performer
"Midwest Gymnast of the Week" was the title given to Jim Gillispie, Lawrence senior, last year in his performance against Kansas State. Gillispie is a side horse specialist.
A strong performance in the trampoline is expected from Gerry Denk, Park Forest, Ill., junior. Denk, who also performs on the long horse, was nationally ranked in the trampoline last year.
Steve Pyle, Baton Rouge, La., senior, should place high in the conference in his speciality, the rings, Lockwood said. Pyle also competes in the trampoline.
Improved slate eyed by Kansas gymnasts
One of the better parallel bar men in the conference, Lockwood said, is Richard Hemphill, Lawrence senior. Hemphill also competes in the floor exercise, long horse and high bar.
He singled out Wayne Dixon, Jim Worcester, Jim Gillispie, Richard Hemphill, Steve Pyle, Gerry Denk and Robert Pierson as being key men in the Jayhawk attack.
Lockwood, a former KU gymnast who is now in his fourth year as coach, pointed to several standouts from last year's team who have shown improvement.
KU's gymnastics team is viewing the coming season with an optimistic eye.
Individuals praised
All the Big Eight squads have been invited, but the competition is on an individual basis and is open to anyone who wants to compete unattached. Bob Lockwood, gymnastics coach, said.
"I feel the team has shown improvement in practice sessions this year and could be better than last year's team," said Bob Lockwood, gymnastics coach. Last year's squad posted a 6-3 record.
The team's first home competition will be Nov. 18 at the KU Open Invitational meet.
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