6B = THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
SPORTS
FRIDAY,APRIL 18,2003
Football team looks to speed up for fall season
If the Kansas football team plays more competitively next season, it will be for one reason greater team speed.
In Division I college football, speed is not a novelty; it is a requirement. Florida, California and Texas are the three major recruiting havens because those regions have the warm climate to train speed players annually. Three of the fastest teams in the nation and three of the best programs in the nation recruit heavily out of Texas.
Oklahoma and Texas both have fantastic team speed, and Kansas State is not far behind. Teams need players who can play at a fast pace to compete in the Big 12 Conference. Iowa State was successful in the first part of last season because it was faster than its opponents. In the second half of the season, when Iowa State played Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas State, it was drubbed because, while fast, it wasn't fast enough.
However, Kansas State coach Bill Snyder said Iowa State's speed was "100 times better" than the school's losing teams of the mid '90s. The result: Iowa State went to its third-straight bowl in three seasons.
Kansas coach Mark Mangino has worked at both Kansas State and Oklahoma. He learned the importance of acquiring speed. This year's Kansas team looks to fit the part.
"You always try to stockpile speed," Mangino said. "We are a much faster and much quicker football team than last year."
Kevin Flaherty
kflaherty@kansan.com
Most of the dedication was made in the offseason at the weight room, where players worked harder so they could play faster. Kansas certainly appears fast at almost every position. The wide receivers look quick; the defensive backs look quick; even the linemen appear to be quicker.
Two of this spring's standout players were sophomore David McMillan and junior Adrian Jones.
McMillan is a tenacious pass rusher with the speed and quickness to get across the edge from his defensive end position. Look for him to acquire double digit sacks next season.
Adrian Jones had such a fine spring that he was named an offensive captain. While a step slow for a tight end, Jones is quick for an offensive tackle and will work on protecting quarterback Bill Whittemore's blind side.
More speed will arrive in the fall. All of the recruited skill position players run the 40-yard dash in under 4.7 seconds. All but three run the dash in the 4.5 range or faster.
The three who don't? Sophmore Lyonel Anderson's 4.65 40-yard dash is blazingly fast for a tight end, and is not a bad time for tight ends who play professionally. Incoming freshman Adam
Barmann is fast for a quarterback at 4.64. Incoming freshman Brandon McAnderson is in the 4.65-4.7 range, but he may play linebacker instead of running back.
Speaking of fast linebackers, this class has two linebackers with fantastic size and speed combinations in Victor Valley College transfer junior John McCoy and Iowa Central Community College transfer sophomore Gabe Toomey. Toomey is 230 pounds and ran in the 4.6 range, while the 255 pound McCoy has been clocked at an astounding 4.56.
While the team has enough great 40-yard dash times to fill an NFL Draft Guide, clockings are not how the coaches judge speed. Mangino insists that there is a difference between being fast and playing fast.
Oakland Raiders wide receivers Jerry Rice and Tim Brown were considered slow for wide receivers. But with pads on in game situations, they were hard to catch. Players achieve game speed through combining instincts and decision making with athletic ability. It is obvious that this team has the athletic capabilities — it looked fast in practice.
If the team can get that speed to translate onto the football field during games beginning Aug. 30 against Northwestern, Kansas could have a very interesting run next fail.
Flaherty is a Lenexa junior in Journalism.
Banquet CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B
crowd twisted in their seats to find the source of the verbal bullet. But Dave Collison, father of senior forward Nick Collison, turned for another purpose.
"You should be ashamed of yourself," Collison roared at the balcony.
In that instant, confusion gave way to clarity. Suddenly, every fan in attendance knew exactly where he stood. There were no
more endless discussions of loyalties, using ambiguous measures. They either agreed with the critic or Dave Collison. Most fans sided with Collison. They cheered, and the show went on.
"When I walked in," Williams told reporters later. "I was kind of chicken. I walked in the middle of the players because I knew they wouldn't boo the players."
But Williams knew he couldn't hide for ever. He knew it when he decided to return to face the community where, to some, he had gone from national
hero to villain with one decision.
He knew it would be easier to move on, and he came back.
"Oh yes," Williams said when asked whether he considered skipping the banquet. "There seemed to be a little storm building, and maybe it wasn't the best, but that would have the easy way out, and I've talked to my guys all the time that you can't take the easy way out. You have to do what's right."
— Edited by Christy Dendurent
Returning to Lawrence
Eric Braem/Kansen
Television cameras surround former coach Roy Williams and all but ignore the players as they arrive at the Lied Center. Williams returned to Lawrence yesterday to attend the KU basketball awards ceremony.
Donations
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B
lain, Al Oerter and Wes Santee.
Wyatt said he appreciated the help he received from track coach Bill Easton.
The gift counts toward the $500 million goal set by KU First. Started by the Endowment association, KU First seeks to raise funds for KU scholarships, fellowships, professorships, capital projects
"What I liked about him was that he provided anyone the opportunity to participate." Wyatt said. "He taught me life lessons that I still hold. Looking back, it was a real character builder for him."
"Scholarships are a major priority for us, and this gift is great because it furthers our fundraising goal."
John Scarffe
Communications director for KU Endowment
and program support.
John Scarffe, communications director for the Endowment association, said this helped KU First reach their goal.
"Scholarships are a major priority for us, and this gift is great because it furthers our
fundraising goal," Scarffe said. "It is also unusual that the scholarship is for a specific sport. It is great that a former Kansas track star would come back and donate money to make sure that track stays strong at Kansas."
KU First has currently raised $404 million,and will continue to raise funds through 2004.
Other 1950s and 1960s track champions present at the Kansas Relays include Santee, Jim Ryun, Al Frame and Jim Hershberger.
Wyatt will be honored at 3 p.m. today at the awards platform of Memorial Stadium.
Edited by Todd Rapp
Kentucky Place Apartments Now Leasing 2 BR Apartments For Fall 2003!
- Furnished apt. available
- Within walking distance to campus
- Fully equipped kitchen including microwaves & dishwashers
- Large walk-in closets
- Laundry facilities on site
Monday-Friday 9:00-5:00
For more information call 841.1212 or
Now taking applications for Fall 2003
- 1 BR & 1 BR Loft A Available
- $475-490 1PP & 1PB
- 24 hr. Emergency maintenance
- Water and trash paid
- $475-490
Apartment Available Water and trash paid
- Walking distance to Campus
- Laundry facilities on site
- Laundry facilities on site
- Private off street parking
Call (785) 841-1429 for details
Mon-Fri 9 am - 6 pm
1105 Louisiana EHO
Domestic &Foreign Complete Car Care
LAWRENCE AUTOMOTIVE DIAGNOSTICS
INC.
NewsNewsNewsNews
NewsNewsNewsNews
NewsNewsNewsNews
NewsNewsNewsNews
NewsNewsNewsNews
NewsNewsNewsNews
NewsNewsNewsNews
NewsNewsNewsNews
NewsNewsNewsNews
NewsNewsNewsNews
NewsNewsNewsNews
NewsNewsNewsNews
NewsNewsNewsNews
NewsNewsNewsNews
NewsNewsNewsNews
NewsNewsNewsNews
NewsNewsNewsNews
NewsNewsNewsNews
NewsNewsNewsNews
NewsNewsNewsNews
NewsNewsNewsNews
NewsNewsNewsNews
NewsNewsNewsNews
NewsNewsNewsNews
NewsNewsNewsNews
NewsNewsNewsNews
NewsNewsNewsNews
NewsNewsNewsNews
NewsNewsNewsNews
NewsNewsNewsNews
kansan.com
We Stand Behina Our Work, and WE CARE!"
842-8665
2858 Four Wheel Dr
Hanover Place Apartments
Now Pre-Leasing for Fall 2003!
- Fully applianced
- kitchen w/microwave
- Laundry facilities
- Private off street parking
- Central Heat and Air
- Walk-in closets
- Garages
- Fireplaces
- Washer/Dryer hookups
- Walk to K.U.
- On-site Manager
- 24 hour emergency maintenance
14th & Mass.
(785) 841-1212
Hours:
9-5 M-F
EHO
I