THE UNIVERSITY HARLY KANSAN
SPORTS
3B
Royals slam Indians 9-3
ASSOCIATED PRESS
THE Kansas City Royals' John Buck rounds third after hitting a home run in the fifth inning against the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday. Buck also hit a grand slam in the eighth inning.
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Kyle Davies throws in against the Indians Tuesday in Kansas City, Mo. The Royals beat the Indians 9-3 and Davies got his first victory of the season.
NFL
Chiefs will have long road trips in 2009
BY DOUG TUCKER
Associated Press
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Chiefs fans wanting to take some fall vacation without missing any home games should book travel this year in September or November.
In a 2009 schedule released Tuesday that reflects their 2-14 record last year, the Chiefs will play only one home game in each of those two months. But in both October and December, they'll play at Arrowhead Stadium three times.
Every home game starts at noon on Sunday. The NFL did not invite Kansas City to play on a holiday or a Monday night, either home or away.
Unless something is changed late in the season under the flexibility agreement with television, the Chiefs' only night games will be the four exhibition contests in August and early September.
The season for first year head coach Todd Haley and his team could be challenging. His rebuilding Chiefs will have six games against five 2008 playoff teams, including the Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers at home on Nov. 22.
The Chiefs will open the regular season at Baltimore on Sept. 13, and open their home schedule the next week against Oakland. It'll be the second year in a row they play Oakland in their first game in front of the home fans.
In addition to their home-an-
home series against AFC West
rivals, the Chiefs' home game opponents include the Steelers, New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Brown.
From Nov. 22 through Dec. 20, the Chiefs will play four of five at home, including their first three-game homestand since 1996.
Kansas City is at Philadelphia on Sept. 27, then at home the two following Sundays against the Giants and Cowboys. On Oct. 18, they make their first regular-season trip to Washington in eight years, then they're home on Oct. 25 against San Diego.
Their open date is the next week. Then they resume action with road games on Nov. 8 at Jacksonville and Nov. 15 at Oakland. After hosting the Steelers on Nov. 22, they're at San Diego on Nov. 29.
FOOTBALL
Freshman running back rises to top
Freshman running back Rell Lewis looks for a hole in the White team's defense during the Jayhawks' April 11 spring game at Memorial Stadium. Lewis, who didn't letter in 2008, led all rushers with 65 yards on 32 carries.
BY JAYSON JENKS
jjenks@kansan.com
Weston White/KANSAM
In the first big public showcase for next season — in front of an estimated 17,000 people — freshman running back Rell Lewis surprised even the most avid Kansas fan.
Last season, Lewis played sparingly, with most of his time spent on special teams. He made three tackles and didn't letter.
Yet the beauty of spring football is the sense of optimism and the tendency for surprise that seems to sprout as soon as the weather turns warm. On a crisp Saturday with clouds speckling the sky, Lewis rushed for 64 yards on 14 carries and added 50 yards on two receptions.
"We've been waiting for Rell to surface," coach Mark Mangino said. "He's kind of a quiet guy, a little bit unassuming."
As players hinted after the game, that's why Lewis' name is still relatively unknown to most.
But Lewis' quick bursts and ability to shed larger defenders didn't seem to faze, let alone shock, those who share time with him on the practice field.
"I mean, Rell's been making plays all spring," junior quarterback Todd Reesing said. "He's extremely strong for his size. His lower body strength is unbelievable, so he's got that ability to burst and break tackles."
Shortly after the Blue team defeated the White team 20-7 on Saturday, players inside Mrkonic Auditorium raved about Lewis' athletic ability.
If Lewis is going to contribute
next season next to Reesing —
But Mangino and his players quickly noted the need for Lewis to develop consistency and sharpen his practice habits.
the practice field will serve as the greatest determinant.
"Today, he showed that he's a capable player." Mangino said. "He just needs to develop consistency about his work habits and his play and he can help us."
Added Reesing: "With Rell, he's just got to continue to learn the offense and understand the plays and the assignments he has to execute. He's definitely a guy we're going to look to help us out next year."
Late in the third quarter, with the Blue team nursing a lead, Lewis threw a block from his running back position on a blitzing defender, which allowed junior quarterback Kerry Meier to find Wilson for a 32-yard gain.
run or broken tackle, displays the types of improvements Lewis has made and must continue to make this offseason.
"The biggest thing I've improved in is just making my reads," Lewis said.
Lewis started the spring game with the White team — the team normally reserved for second-string players. As the game wore on, Lewis shifted to the Blue team after starting junior running back Jake Sharp exited in the second half.
Mangino said he made the move to fill positions on the field. With the suspension of junior running back Jocques Crawford, Kansas played just three running backs on Saturday.
Running behind the first-team offensive line, Lewis carried the
ball 12 times for 56 yards.
"Oh, man, Rell tore it up," sophomore wide receiver Jonathan Wilson said. "He's just real good and shifty."
Freshman center Jeremiah Hatch came to Kansas in the same recruiting class with Lewis and watched as Lewis developed and unveiled his potential last season.
Now, at this point in the offseason, Lewis seems to be on the fringe of earning a spot in the running back rotation.
"He's a quiet guy, but he'll just surprise you," Wilson said. "He'll be out there and then bust a big play. That quiet demeanor makes him surprising. He'll catch you off guard."
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