SPECIAL SPORTS SECTION
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
81st Year, No. 9
The University of Kansas—Lawrence, Kansas Friday, Sept. 11, 1970
SPECIAL SPORTS SECTION
Jayhawks Open Saturday Against Washington State
By JOE H. BULLARD
Kansan Sports Editor
The University of Kansas opens its 1970 football season Saturday, when the Jayhawks host the Washington State Cougars on the new Tartan Turf in Memorial Stadium at 1:30 p.m.
Saturday's game will carry more than the usual amount of significance for each team. The Jayhawks and Washington State are trying to recover from 1-9 seasons, and an opening game win would be a big morale boost for either team.
Jayhawk coach Pepper Rodgers and Washington State coach Jim Sweeney have rebuilt their football teams relying on junior college transfers and members of 1969 freshman squads in an attempt to shore up last year's weak spots.
Saturday's contest should be exciting, for both teams rely on a passing attack which features a fleet corps of receivers, who have the potential of turning any pass into a touchdown.
Washington State will rely on sophomore Ty Paine calling the signals. Paine led last year's Washington State freshman team to an undefeated 4-0 record. As a freshman, Paine threw for 352 yards and rushed for 172 yards.
Neither team will have to depend on passing alone, as both have outstanding runners. KU will depend on All-American candidate John Riggins to
Jayhawk quarterback Dan Heck, a California junior college transfer, has been impressive during scrimmages in throwing the long scoring bomb. In two scrimmages this fall, Heck has passed for more than 500 yards and thrown for seven touchdowns.
balance the passing attack, while the Cougars rely on triple threat fullback, Bob Ewen. Last season, Ewen rushed for 383 yards, passed for 150 and quick kicked for a 50 yard average.
While KU and Washington State have potential explosive offenses, defense will be the big question mark, where both teams will be starting inexperienced players at many key positions.
Rodgers has pointed to the Jayhawk defensive line as being the weakest portion of the team due to the loss of Karl Salb and Steve Carmichael. Rodgers has been forced to make replacements with inexperienced men.
The Cougar defense also suffers from inexperience, but hardest hit is the defensive secondary, where only two lettermen are scheduled to start.
More Football Inside
Rodgers said of Saturday's game, "We don't know too much about them (Washington State) and they don't know too much about us. I am sure that we will have some surprises for them and they will have some for us"
Washington State ... p. 2
Oklahoma ... p. 2
K-State ... p. 3
Nebraska ... p. 3
Iowa State ... p. 3
Colorado ... p. 5
Missouri ... p. 6
Oklahoma State ... p. 7
Kansan Staff Photo by GBEG SORBER
"Next Year" Has Arrived for Pepper
... John Riggins, Dan Heck and Larry Brown flank Rodgers
Brown Hopeful of KU Resurgence
By DON BAKER
Assistant Kansas Sports Editor
Larry Brown quietly sat in his plush third-floor apartment in Jayhawker Towers last week reflecting on this year's edition of KU football. The reserved and amiable captain of this year's Jayhawk contingent, relaxing after his evening meal at the team's training table, described his feelings toward college football in general and specifically the coming season.
Brown, a 6-4 225 pound senior from Starke, Fla., has played with both extremes of coach Pepper Rodgers' last two KU teams. From 9-2 and the the Orange Bowl in 1968 to 1-9 and a last place finish in
"I'm optimistic about this year," Brown said. "I think everyone should be optimistic not just for the sake of being optimistic but because we've got a good team and will do a good job."
1969, Brown begins his final year with high hopes of a Jayhawk resurgence.
"We've got a lot of seniors on this team like the one of two years ago," Brown said. "But going strictly from an ability standpoint, yes, I would also have to say we are as good."
Questioned if this team is comparable to the one two years ago, Brown answered affirmatively.
Rodgers has expressed an optimistic outlook on the coming year also and with men such as Brown in key positions he has a right to.
Pepper said that his team captain has the potential to become one of the best tight ends in college football and believes Brown could be a high choice in the next pro draft.
But Brown himself does not care to think in terms of a pro career for the time being.
"I try not to think about a pro career," Brown said leaning back in his chair. "It just adds to the pressure and besides, football is a game that is up today and down tomorrow. You just can't rely on it."
Dental school is Brown's prime concern following graduation.
"If a pro career would happen to develop," Brown said, "I still plan on going to dental school during the off-season. You never know what might happen and when you might need something to fall back on."
Brown is a versatile player for the Jayhawks as he begins his third straight year at a new position. Now positioned as the Hawks number one tight end, he played defensive end as a freshman and offensive tackle as a sophomore. Last year he began the season at
"I actually prefer offense to defense," Brown said. "I guess I've always been offensive oriented. As a kid I always thought of offense instead of defense because that seemed to be where all the glory was."
defensive end before shifting to tight end late in the season.
Saturday's game against Washington State will be the first on Memorial Stadium's new Tartan Turf but Brown sees no significant advantage for KU.
"I can't really see how it will be an advantage to either team," he said. "And I don't think it will make us a better team—the turf won't make a team."