6S
Friday, Sept. 11, 1970
University Daily Kansan
Jayhawk Swimming Team Seeks Fourth League Title
By JIM FORBES Kansan Sports Writer
Dick Reamon has become accustomed to success during his tenure as KU swimming coach. But the normally cautious coach believes the best still lies ahead after announcing last week that "this year's team will be the best we've ever had."
Reamon has turned out Big Eight championship teams the past three years, with last year's team outscoring the second place team by 198 points. Reamon has coached eight Kansas teams but says, "I honestly believe this year's squad could take the other eight."
Only three members of last year's 18 man squad have graduated and Reamon believes he has three freshmen prospects to fill the gap. Highlighting the freshmen swimmers is Tom Kempf, an outstanding high school swimmer from Bartlesville, Okla., who enrolled at Kansas last week. "This kid is farther along on the basis of his AAU and high school background than anyone we've ever had at Kansas, or anyone that I know of who has ever come into the conference," Reamen said.
The other two freshman prospects are Phil Kidd, Norman, Okla., and Keith Rickey, Wichita.
Practices begin for the team Sept. 8. Reamon said, "I can't tell you what the shape of the team is until the first workout. I've got plenty of time to hammer them into shape."
Reamon believes the team could have only one problem. "We've got it physically, its just being ready mentally. The squad will go as far as mental ability will let us."
Reamon wants his team to start thinking on a national competitive level instead of a local level. "We want to be a national threat," he said. The team finished 27th last year out of 78 teams in the national meet.
As for his speculation on the coming season, Reamon said, "barring the unforeseen, we should win the conference in March."
Coach Reamon has been coaching Kansas swimming teams since 1962. "Then it was a big thing to chalk up a win against Emporia State and teams like that." Reamon said. "I think we're a step beyond that."
The first meet of the season will be the Big Eight Relays, December 4-5 at Lawrence.
Reamon is pleased with the schedule of meets this year. "It gives us a chance to look at the Southeast and Southwest conferences before we meet them in the national championships," Reaon said.
Swimming Coach Dick Reamon
Kansan Staff Photo
Reamon announced the tentative 1970-71 swimming schedule.
December 4-5, Big Eight Relays,
Lawrence.
December 11, University of Missouri, Lawrence.
December 12, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Neb.
January 8, University of Texas (Austin), Lawrence.
January 14-16, Sooner Collegiate Invitational, Norman, Okla.
January 23, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.
January 30, Southern Methodist University, Lawrence.
February 6, University of Oklahoma, Lawrence.
"..best team we've ever had"
home. Lawrence
February 13, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater.
February 18-20, Southern College Invitational, Ga.
March 4-6, Big Eight Conferen ce Championships, Norman, Okla.
March 25-27, N.C.A.F. Championships, Ames, Iowa.
Mizzou Picked Tops in Big 8
By BOB NORDYKE Kansan Sports Writer
Pre-season Big Eight football predictors have once again tabbed the Missouri Tigers as a strong contender for one of the top finishing spots in the conference.
Which one of the contending spots the Tigers finally fill largely depends on how Dan Devine, the nation's third most successful active coach, fills the quarterback and defensive secondary positions to compliment a team that returns 26 lettermen.
Rookie Defense Clouds Nebraska Title Hopes
By RAY DITIRRO
Kansan Sports Writer
When the University of Nebraska football team takes the field for the first time this season, Cornhusker coach Bob Devaney will be full of confidence fringed by apprehension for his defensive unit.
The Big Eight co-champs will field an essentially rookie defense, as there are only three returning starters for the 1970 campaign, thus creating an experience gap that could become a big factor in the outcome of the Nebraska season.
Completing the secondary will probably be junior Bill Kosch, and sophomore Gary Hollstein. Kosch and Hollstein have yet to start a football game for the crimson and cream.
Inexperience in the Nebraska secondary could be the key factor that could pose problems in the season's first few outings.
Walline was one of the finest defensive tackles in the Big Eight last year, while in the defensive secondary, Anderson is the lone returnee.
The three returning starters on defense are seniors Jerry Murtaugh, Dave Walline and junior Jim Anderson. Murtaugh, an All-America candidate at linebacker is figured largely in Nebraska's title campaign of last season with 126 total tackles to his credit, 53 of which were unassisted.
Nebraska possesses an explosive offense this year. What coach could ask for more with two of the nation's top quarterbacks calling signals in his own camp?
One half of the Husker dynamic duo is passing whiz, Jerry Tagge, who last season completed 107 of 189 attempted passes for a total of 1,355 yards. Jerry is big and tough for a quarterback, standing 6-2, and weighing 215 pounds.
The other half of the Husker duo is also a junior, Van Brownson. A dramatic quarterback and key man in last season's Husker attack that edged K-State and trounced Oklahoma and Georgia, Brownson helped Nebraska finish with a nine and two record.
Lending his support to this stellar backfield will be All-America candidate, Bob Newton. Big, strong and quick are the words to describe Newton whose 6-4, 248 pound frame should be one to watch as Nebraska comes to do battle at Memorial Stadium on October 17.
Commenting on having two stellar performers at one position Devaney conceded, "It's a little unusual, but we did it in '65 with (Bob) Churchich and (Fred) Duda and we went undefeated. I'm not feeling too badly about that position."
Also shining in the backfield is Big Eight Sophomore of the Year, Jeff Kinney. Kinney last year as a sophomore led the Huskers in rushing, scoring, and pass receiving to spark Nebraska to a loop co-championship and Sun Bowl victory.
Back after missing last season because of knee surgery is senior Joe Orduna. Orduna will fill the second spot in Nebraska's I-formation offense.
Only a sophomore but destined to become one of Nebraska's, if not the Big Eight's, outstanding players is slotback Johnny Rodgers. Great in broken field and extremely dangerous in one-on-one situations, Rodgers has the speed and talent to threaten any defensive secondary.
Nebraska looks good in the receiving department with many returning veterans, such as split ends Woody Cox, junior, and senior Dale Didur.
Regarding an excellent crop of returning veterans, in Columbia there is a just-wait-and-seewhat-happens attitude tempered with an air of easy confidence.
Dueling for the quarterback slot vacated by graduated Terry McMillan are two home-grown juniors, Chuck Roper and Mike Farmer.
The two are battling for the position from equal, in fact, nearly identical starts. Neither saw enough action last season to letter and both have had surgery following a collegiate injury.
Devine, beginning his 13th season as Missouri's head coach, assessed his quarterback situation this way: "We're going to have to assume that both men are in good shape—but realistically, you've got to figure that we have some problems there."
His latest appraisal indicated both prospects are progressing well as he commented that having a No. 1 quarterback by opening day was not his main concern.
Fifteen lettermen return from last year's offensive team, the most effective point-producing and yard-gaining machine Devine has produced at Missouri.
The only returnee from that backfield is powerful tailback, Joe Moore, the nation's No. 3 ground-gainer in 1969 with 1,312 yards. Moore, who is likely to set a new career rushing mark this year, has already hit most pre-season All-American charts.
Speedster Mel Gray and John Henley will be the primary targets for whoever wins the quarterback job. Gray had 705 yards in receptions and nine scoring catches last season—both school records—and Henley grabbed four touchdown tosses.
The Tiger attack will be led by a duo of accomplished blockers, center Bob Wilson and All-League tackle Larron Jackson. One tight end position should be solidly filled with the addition of John Matuszak, a 6-7, 260-pound junior college transfer.
Defensively, Devine says the 1970 Tigers are potentially as good as last year.
Back at tackle is Rocky Wallace after a year's absence due to a pulled hamstring muscle. Wallace a two-time all-league pick will combine with ends Mike Bennett and John Brown to make Saturdays unpleasant for rival quarterbacks.
Other capable veterans in the defensive line-up include Nip Weisenfels at linebacker and Steve Mizer at right guard.
Sophomore Jack Bastable is the leading contender to handle the punting and place kicking chores for the Tigers.
Finally, another 1969 hamstring casualty, fullback James Harrison, appears ready to go full strength this season. The explosive 240-pound senior played briefly in three games last season, but is counted on to display the power he showed while scoring eight touchdowns as a sophomore.
Cyclones Return 16 Starters
By DICK HAY
Kansan Sports Writer
"Optimistic" is the word which best sums up Iowa State football hopes this fall. Coach Johnny Majors, in his third season at the helm, has 28 lettermen back from last year's 3-7 squad.
"We have the best squad we have had in three years here," Majors said.
Of the 28 lettermen, 21 are seniors and 16 will be back in starting positions for the third straight season.
The big name for Iowa State this fall is senior split end Otto Stowe whom Majors regards as the best pass receiver in the nation.
Senior tight end Tom Lorenz and sophomore flanker Dave McCurry will join Stowe to make up a pass-receiving trio which Majors regards as his best since coming to Iowa State.
Majors' problem is finding someone that can throw them the ball. Obert Tisdale, quarterback for the last two seasons, has been moved to defensive monster-man leaving the position wide open.
Two sophomores, George Amundson and Bill Miller. have
But if the Cyclone offense is to score, the line must improve. Last season the offense scored only 15.2 points per game. Much of the problem was attributed to a lack of line play.
been battling for the starting spot. The strong-armed Amundson had a slight edge in spring drills and will probably get the starting spot.
Majors also has his three leading rushers from last season back and has installed a pro-set offense in favor of last year's triple-option attack.
Despite the experience and depth on offense, defense should be Iowa State's strongpoint this fall. The Cyclones have five starters and 13 lettermen back from last year's group that allowed an average of 23 points per game.
Majors has a letterman back at every position except center where 206-pound sophomore Dave Pittman will take over.
Sophomore tackle Geary Murdock is likely to be the bulwark of the offense line. He has been drawing raves since practice began and will probably beat out veteran Tim Jeffries for the starting spot.
The defensive secondary will be led by Tisdale and safetyman Tony Washington, an all-Big Eight pick last season. Jeff Allen, defensive halfback, will be back at his old familiar position after starting for two years as wing-back for the Cyclones.
The linebackers, Steve Jacobsen; Keith Schroeder; and cocaptain Mark Withrow, will all be back.
The big defensive question mark is the line. The Cyclones have six lettermen back, but the early loss of 220-pound senior letterman Andy Waller may hurt.
Waller underwent surgery late in August for a knee injury he suffered in a summer basketball game.
The kicking game is also a problem for Majors. Bob Broullette punted for a 40.8-yard average last season but graduated.
Majors is still looking for a kicker capable of that kind of consistency. Reggie Shoemake, a transfer from Jones Junior College in Mississippi, could be the answer.
Before practice started, Majors said, "I will have to confess to a certain cautious optimism—at times."