University Daily Kansan
Friday, Sept. 18, 1970
11
Rodgers Confident of Defense
By BOB NORDYKE
Kansan Sports Writer
Even after giving up 330 yards rushing to Washington State Saturday, coach Pepper Rodgers hesitates to call his defensive line a weak link. Instead he prefers to say that it is just the most inexperienced.
Three of the front four positions are manned by men playing in their first major college football season and Rodgers is definitely not considering any immediate personnel changes.
The front four will again consist of sophomores Gery Palmer and Don Perkins as ends, and Duke Holden and veteran Bob Tyus at the tackle positions when the Jayhawks host Texas Tech Saturday.
In fact, Rodgers is apparently very confident of the abilities of his new front wall.
"There's no question," he said,
"the defense will improve."
"We aren't going to make any
changes in the defense," Rodgers added. "We're just going to do it better."
Rodgers compares the situation to solving math problems. To him it's a matter of becoming proficient in fundamentals. He
said there is a basic, well-learned formula to solve new problems and there is a basic well-learned defense to handle each new football opponent.
From this analysis, Rodgers has picked his starters and plans to stick with them.
It is much the same coaching philosophy that Rodgers displayed in 1967 when Bobby
Hawks End Workouts For Texas Tech Game
The Kansas Jayhawks went through their final workout Thursday in preparation for Saturday's home game against Texas Tech.
The one and a half hour session "was just an ordinary practice" according to coach Pepper Rodgers. The players did wear pads but it was a no-contact day. The Hawks will not work out today.
Rodgers said Phil Basler, the quarterback turned linebacker, will do the kicking-off for the Jayhawkers, replacing Bob Helmbacher who performed the duty against Washington State
last week. Rodgers said Helm-
bacher will retain the rest of his
place-kicking duties as usual.
Despite more than two inches of rain since Sunday, the Tartan Turf in Memorial Stadium is in good condition for the game. KU will be trying to beat Texas Tech for the first time after suffering three previous losses to the Red Raiders.
The Homestead Act became effective Jan. 1, 1863.
Short Session For Missouri
COLUMBIA, Mo. (UPI)—The Missouri Tigers worked out for only 25 minutes Thursday in preparation for Saturday's home opener against Minnesota. Coach Dan Devine described the brief session as consisting of warm-up drills, a few passers, and work on the Gophers' defense.
The Memorial Stadium field was uncovered Thursday afternoon to allow for drying. The bermuda grass turf was in good condition, but was covered again Thursday night as a precautionary measure.
Friday morning the American Broadcasting Co. will position a 150-foot crane in the south end of the stadium for an ABC color camera. ABC will utilize 6 color cameras and one black and white one in the regionally televised game.
Douglass was established as the first string quarterback and was expected to do the job. His response led KU to the Orange Bowl in 1969.
Even though Washington State amassed 513 yards in total offense, the new defense showed some bright spots. Palmer came up with a key interception and took it in for a touchdown. Also, the defense stiffened twice for successful goal line stands.
Rodgers considers Saturday's game with Texas Tech a crucial one. He expects the Red Raiders, a slower team offensively than Washington State, to try to control the ball on the ground. Rodgers said it should be a good test for the defense.
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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.
Tuesday, Sept. 22 Last day to file for Freshman Class Officers
Candidates' meeting 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept.23 in the Union
for information : contact JOHN FRIEDMAN at 842-6577