University Daily Kansan
Monday, Sept. 21, 1970
11
Jayhawk Dressing Room
Rodgers Termed Game 'Awful'
BY DON BAKER
Assistant Kansan Sports Editor
An uneasy quiet prevailed in the KU dressing room Saturday following the Jayhawks' loss to Texas Tech. As reporters filed into the coaches' quarters a hesitancy prevailed not knowing exactly how Rodgers, who had been sick with a cold all of the last part of the week, would react to the loss.
Sitting on the floor with his back against the wall, a faint smile appeared across Rodgers' face as he welcomed the reporters.
"It was a lousy game for us and a great game for them," Rodgers offered. "They played excellent football."
"Awful. Just awful," Rodgers said in between munches on an apple.
The uneasiness of the atmosphere somewhat broken, Rodgers continued to dominate the session.
"We did a very ordinary job, including running onto the field," Rodgers said. "We looked tired
—just flatter than a pancake and don't ask me why. Maybe it was the rain (that persisted throughout most of last week's practice), I don't know."
Questioned about whether or not the defense had improved since the Washington State game when it gave up 513 yards in total offense, silence again prevailed.
“No comment.” Rodgers said after about a five-second lapse. “I didn’t think anything showed an improvement over last week.”
"We threw the ball too much," Rodgers said, "but I have to take the responsibility for that. We just couldn't get anything going. I don't know how many times we got the ball but it seemed like everytime we did we were down on the 15 or 20-vard line."
This time the defense could not be singled out as a KU stumbling block as the offense, under the guidance of quarterback Dan Heck, was held scoreless making the first time that Rodgers has been shut out.
Heck, the new KU quarterback
who shined in last week's victory over Washington State, had difficulty throughout the game. He finished with 17 passes completed in 40 attempts for 160 yards. Four of the attempts fell into Texas Tech hands.
"If he had a good day last week, he had a bad day today." Rodgers said in analyzing Heck's performance. He added though that the KU receivers did a much poorer job than Tech's.
The only outward expression of anger from Rodgers came when one reporter asked about the possibility of benching Heck during the game because of his performance.
Springing forward and coming to his feet into a crouch, Rodgers said, "I'll tell you what, when I make a change I make it because I think the guy I'm putting in is going to be first string and not because some guy in the stands is hollering at me."
Rodgers was not about to take anything away from the Red Raiders as he continually praised them for their effort.
Kansan Staff Photo
A Meeting of the Minds
... But Pepper and Dan Heck didn't have the answers
And the KU head man wasn't about to take a totally despondent view of the afternoon's proceedings.
"We just have to go back to work and improve," he concluded.
Across the field Tech coach Jim Carlen was elated with his team's victory.
"I have to give credit to my coaching staff," Carlen said. "The staff really got the boys up for the game."
Carlen also had praise for his players.
"These kids are the greatest," he said. "They just get after it from start to finish. We're not a real great team yet—but we're getting close to it."
Carlen also had praise for KU saying it was tremendously big with great speed.
"I do whatever I think is necessary," Carlen said. "I think we got after them. They are bigger than we are, and we're not fancy, but even on the third down situations we felt we could run on them."
MOONLIGHT MADNESS Tues. Nite 9-13 7-11 o'clock Refreshments
Beautiful-Exciting Things for those Doing Beautiful Things
the VILLAGE SET 922 Massachusetts
TOM MOORE
Former Executive Director KU-Y Is A Candidate State House of Representatives 40th District
He Wants The Help of Concerned, Listening People
Come To A Canvassing Meeting
Monday, 7:30, Sept.21
Old Eldridge Hotel
Democratic Headquarters
Tom Moore is one of those few candidates who was concerned with the war in Vietnam, racism, pollution & genuine student involvement in university and national affairs BEFORE he decided to run for office.