Wednesday, November 3. 1999 The University Daily Kansan Section B · Page 3 'Hawks improve defensive play By Ryan Malashock Special to the Kansan The shutout of Missouri and the 24-17 loss to Nebraska on Saturday are evidence the Kansas defense has shown improvements during the past two weeks. The Jayhawks played six straight quarters without allowing a point, the team's longest streak of the season. Earlier this season, they had been allowing an average of 35 points per game. Anchoring the Jayhawks' defense has been the dominating play of the defensive line. Seniors Dion Rayford, John Williams, Dion Johnson and sophomore Nate Dwyer form the core of the interior defensive line. Their duties include stopping the run, rushing the quarterback, opening holes for linebackers and setting the defensive tone. Lately, they've been doing that and more. Coach Terry Allen was quick to praise the play of the defensive line when asked of the defense's recent success. "The defensive line has really played really well." Allen said. "They've been getting off blocks, pressuring the quarterback and protecting the linebackers. The two Dions (Rayford and Johnson) have played much better the last two weeks." During the first half of the Nebraska game, the Jayhawks defense shut out the Cornhuskers and gave up only 69 yards. The tenacious play of the defensive line not only has helped in the trenches, but also assisted the entire defense. "The linebackers are being helped by the guys up front, and the secondary is being helped by the guys up front." Allen said. John Williams, a three-year starter along with Rayford and Johnson, said the line had been playing better because there was more trust among the players. Being in a comfort zone as a team and being friends on and off the field also has contributed to the defensive line's success. "I'm sensing a closeness between us that hasn't been there before," Williams said. "We're really getting comfortable with each other." While Rayford has been pleased with the defensive line's production the past two weeks, he doesn't see the Jayhawks defense losing any motivation. "We're looking forward to getting some revenge on Baylor," Rayford said. "Last year was a fluke. We won't be taking them lightly." Sophomore linebacker Marcus Rogers will start his second consecutive game for the Jayhawks against Baylor. Junior linebacker Dariss Lomax, who injured his knee during the Missouri game, will play against Baylor. Special teams players Chad Coellner and Victor Bullock, who suffered concussions during the Nebraska game, probably will not play in Saturday's game. - Edited by Jamie Knodel Talent shared throughout Big 12 teams By Michael Rigg sports@kansan.com Kansas sportwriter With the end of the Big 12 Conference football season lingering in the not-so-distant future, seven conference teams still have chances to appear in the conference's championship game. In the title game, the winner of the North Division will meet the South Division winner to determine the conference's top team. This year is the closest division race in the conference's brief history, as the league has boasted runaway division champions in the conference's first three years. The close race can be attributed to a number of factors, but most Big 12 coaches agree conference parity is the key to the close race. "People don't want to hear about the 'P' word, parity, but it's here," said Texas coach Mack Brown. "We're now going to see more and more upsets. Now, you better play each game like it's your season." Nebraska coach Frank Solich, whose team is in second place in the North with a 4-1 conference record, echoed Brown's sentiments. "I think it's true that parity is showing more and more every year," Solich said. "The teams that people are used to beating up on now have some very good players." Last weekend perennial conference cellar-dweller Iowa State nearly knocked off Texas in the Longhorns's 44-41 victory, and Kansas nearly upset the Cornhuskers. Nebraska Three days following the Cornhuskers' 24-17 victory against the Jayhawks, Solich remained impressed with Kansas' effort and the overall direction of the Jayhawks' program. "Kansas is a Kansas is a much-improved football team," Solich said. "They are playing their best football of the year right now." Still, Solich continued to lambaste the Corhuskers' first-half effort against Kansas, in which the Javahays' pulled out to a 9-0 lead. "We came out with not very much emotion in the first half," Solich said. "We knew Kansas was the type of football team that could put us in a bind like that." Wildcat coach Bailor Snyder entered the Bavlor locker room following the Bears' 48-7 loss to K-State on Saturday. The reason? Snyder wanted to congrat- Kansas State ulate Baylor for its valiant effort in the second half against the Wildcats. "I appreciate the fact they hung in there," Snyder said. "I've been where (Bears' coach) Kevin Steele has been, looking to improve the program." Steele, whose team scored the only second-half touchdown of the season against the Wildcat BIG 12 STANDINGS NORTH DIVISION Team Conf. Overall Kansas State 5-0 8-0 Nebraska 4-1 7-1 Colorado 4-1 5-3 lowa State 1-4 4-4 Missouri 1-4 4-4 Kansas 1-4 3-6 SOUTH DIVISION Team Conf. Overall Texas 4-1 7-2 Texas A&M 3-2 6-2 Texas Tech 2-2 4-4 Oklahoma 2-2 4-3 Oklahoma State 1-3 3-4 Baylo 0-5 1-7 defense, insisted that the Bears' second-half effort wasn't that big of a deal. "The only positive in the whole thing was we went in at halftime and made some adjustments and came out and kept it from being embarrassing." Steele said. - Edited by Jamie Knodel 928 Mass Lawrence, KS au Marché - Great gift ideas ·Unique European foods 943 Massachusetts - 842-1414 *Imported soaps *Cheeses, chocolates, & more 19 West 9th Street The European Market 865-0876 faster. UNLIMITED INTERNET ACCESS better. - NO BUSY SIGNALS! - *$9.95* per month - ADSL smarter! - 56K Analog/64K ISDN - 20MB web space - FREE: e-mail, technical support and web browsing One, Two, Three... Cha, Che, Cha FREE DANCE LESSONS FRIDAYS 10:00-10:30PM NETWORKS PLUS 331-2422 www.networksplus.net *Offer valid with one year prepaid.* MID-TERM SALE KU1015 Products up to 50% off on select items - art supplies - computer supplies - gifts - garments Hurry, sale ends November 13! Jayhawk Bookstore 1420 Crescent Rd. Lawrence, Ks. 66044 843-9578 www.jayhawkbookstore.com LIBERTY Adult Classes In Latin, Swing, Ballroom & Lindy Hop DANCE Balloons, Candies Stuffed Animals Get your dance classes in before the holiday season! Downtown Mass & 8th 843-1099 汽车装饰一站式服务（上海） Where there will always be football and beer - FREE NTN Trivia OLD CHICAGO PASTA & PIZZA - QB1 on Monday Night Football 2329 Iowa 841-4124 - NFL Ticket - NEW beer specials: Sunday: $1.75 Bud pints Monday: $1.75 Miller Lite pints Tuesday: $1 domestic mugs Wednesday: 50% off micro , import tap beers Thursday: $2.75 25 oz domestic big beers Dating 101 Does your relationship make you feel like dancing? Join us for a discussion on how to maintain healthy relationships. Wednesday, November 3 3:30-5:00 Walnut Room, Kansas Union Co-Facilitators: John Wade, Counseling and Psychological Services Laura Montgomery, Sexual Assault Prevention and Education Program Program Sponsored by the Emily Taylor Women's Resource Center, 22 Strong Hall, 864-3552. Please call for more information KU SHOW CHOIR TRY-OUTS! WANTED: Men and Women for KU's new Show Choir 1999-2000 Season This is a choir that sings and dances All majors encouraged to apply 5:30 pm,November 4 th Frontier Room, Burge Union - Candidates should prepare 2 songs to sing in contrast style, total performance time: $ 3^{1/2} $ minutes. - Come prepared to learn a jazz style dance combination - Candidates will be judged on singing/dancing ability and stage presence For more info go to: falcon.cc.ukans.edu~dondi or call 749-2007 COME IN FOR YOUR SLICE OF THE BEST PIZZA IN TOWN 507 W. 14th (Under the Wheel) • 74 WHEEL MONDAY: Buy 1, get the $2^{nd}$ for $1^{∞} $4 Small Cheese Pizza (carry out only) WEDNESDAY: $1 Slices Till Ten O'Clock 2 Free 20 oz. Drinks w/ a Large 2 Topping Pizza SUNDAY: $1 Slices All Night Free Delivery • Tax Included In All Prices