Bud Moore, 1975
"The main thing we have to do is keep from beating ourselves. We can't afford to be inconsistent and make mental mistakes. Even though we'll lack experience at many positions, we just have to learn to be situationally prepared." And we can't have little situations.
For the past several years, KU's kicking game has been likened to the Chiefs' defense. The Braves' pennant chances and runners-up finish are a good fight—in short, almost nonexistent.
But toward the end of a last season, from beneath the rubble of a clumbling championship drive, rose the promise of a kicking game. It was not great, but at least it was no longer being compared to low-flying artillery shells.
BY DAVID JOHNSON
Associate Sports Editor
The promise came from the right foot of freshman Mike Hukeb. Initially used along with placekicker Dennis Kerbel, Hubach steadily improved, and by mid-season he had earned himself a slot as the team's punter and placekicker.
Strong foot gives a kick to KU game
Vol.88.No.
Along with his placekicking, Hubach's putting got better. He finished the year with a 38.0-yard punting average. His longest punt was 56 yards, against Iowa State, and he kicked five punts over 45 yards during the season.
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AS HIS PLAYING time increased, his consistency also improved. Out of his last nine field goal attempts, six were good, the three misses coming from 56, 33 and 48 yards out. He was five out of six within the 30-yard line.
But the bat that has earned Hubach at least temporary mention in KU's record books was a 49-yard field goal—the longest in KU's history—in the season finale against Missouri. If that was not enough, his pints on average 41.5 yards against the Tigers.
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
"I FELT GOOD about it," he said.
Last season Hubech also developed into a deadly accurate extra point kicker, converting 28 out of 30 attempts for a .533 percentage. Those 28 points combined with his seven field goals made Hubech the 'Hawks leading scoreer with 49 points, which was
With understatement typical of kickers who aie used to being overshadowed by quarterbacks, running backs and receivers, they were the Missouri game was probably his best.
Wednesday, August 24,1977
See HUBACH page 10
Gaps apparent but 'Hawks hopeful
★★
Past glory spurs offense on
By GARY BEDORE
Sports Writer
Some of the stars and glamour players may be hard to offense plans to roll this season.
There no longer is a Nolan Cromwell at quarterback or a Laverne Smith at halfback, but enough high-quality players remain to indicate that KU's potent offense of the past might become the patent offense of the present.
"We may not have stars but our offense is sound and any of our backs can break it open at any time. Last year we were fourth in the nation in rushing, and I look for us to do as well this year," John Mascarelli, offensive guard, said.
THE 5-12, 200-pound guard's optimism is understandable but not totally logical. Doubts remain about whether KU can come close to the 3,217 yards it gained rushing last
Stranger things have happened though, as in 1975, when an unheralded flock of Jayhawks broke an all-time team rushing record of 3.488 yards.
But in 1975, Jayhawk coach Bud Moore discovered a quarterback, Nolan Cromwell, and the rest is history. This season, many of his players depend on finding on a starting quarterback.
Vicenсед finished his brief stint as the team's number five rusher with 196 yards in 34 carrils. He was quarterback for the Hawks' raynors 41-14 victory over Missouri in the Hawks' season final, when he sacked ataping a pass and shoulded the week before playing Mizzou, the Hawks offense committed several turnovers, in a 40-17 defeat.
THE TWO front-fronting candidates are junior Mark Vicenteed, who was to have been red-shifted last season but took over KU's quarterbacking duties three weeks after Cromwell was injured, and transfer to Mount San Antonio, Calif., junior college.
AT MOUNT San Antonio, Bethke completed 62 per cent of his passes and ran for better than 900 yards. Bethke broke his hand early in spring practice, however, and missed valuable time in learning KU's wishbone offense. Four fresh candidates are also in the running, but the front-runners seem to be Bethke and Vincendie.
WHOEVER THE quarterback is, the 'Hawks' wishbone looks promising. Starting at fullback as he has for the past two seasons is dependable Norris Banks (6-2, 210, senior), who has rushed for 1,271 yards and needs only 493 more to become the fifth leading rusher in KU history. Banks' efforts the past two seasons have been somewhat unnoticed with Laverne Smith, Kris Cox and Greg Ballerino. The Grizzlies stealing the headlines. But Banks and halfback Billy Campfield have a chance to take the sake themselves this season.
KU halbback Billy Campfield said recently that the race for the starters quarterback job would be a tight one, but that's the difference. The defense, in Mark and Brian will make them better."
"Campfire and me have been in the shadows somewhat and we have a chance to see them."
Behind Banks at one halfback position is Campfield (5-11, 185, senior), who has gained 905 yards in 154 carries (5.2 average) in three seasons, but he was primarily used as a safety by the Smith and Gromwell days. Campfield may be given more duties this season.
"Bill will be called on to catch passes, and block," head coach Burke Moore said. "He's going to the ball."
QUARTERBACK COACH Gary Rutledge had some similar thoughts.
The players Rutledge was talking about,
"In the past we depended on Nolan and Laverne because running was what they did best. Now we have many who can do the job."
in addition to Banks and Campfire are the candidates for the other halfback position.
Bob Barrow, Max Ediger, Mike Hingas, Wardell Johnson and Sam Smith are proud owners of a $15 million building.
Higins (6-1, 185) rushed for 104 yards on 28 attempts as a freshman before breaking ribs in the eight game of the season against Nebraska.
Smith (6-3, 19) will be a sophomore and is making the switch from defensive second base to first base more (run for the KU junior varsity last year and Edgar (6-2, 19, junior) finished last season with 105 yards rushing in 25 carries. These runners are expected to pro-
JOHNSON (5-11, 180, senior) played sparingly for KU last year after spending two years at a junior college in North Carolina. He had 41 yards in 8 carries last year for KU.
Two junior varsity runners from last season, Dave Dansdill (6-4, 205) and Tracy Levy (6-2, 210) should provide depth at backhalf behind Banks.
The KU backs can't run without good blocking from the line and the 'Hawks return three offensive linemen who started last season.
SENIOR JOHN Mascarella has started at offensive guard since the start of his sophomore season and has played every game since.
At right tackle is senior Lindsey Mason (6-5, 26) and the Jahwaysk biggest offensive lineman who also has started every game since the start of his sohomore year.
Sophomore Dove Pletcher (6-2, 20) appears to be the front-center. He is required last restraint.
See OFFENSE page 10
Norris Banks bulls his way past a tackler
Photo by DAVE REGIER
Tom Dinkel pulls a flying ball carrier down.
★★★
Defense tackles rebuilding
By JASON NUSS
Sports Writer
Having to play such explosive offensive teams as TAs A & M, UCLA and Oklahoma in the first four weeks is had enough. But having to face such stalwarts with an experienced secondary and a far-from-solid linebacking crew may be plain murder.
Last season, Texas A & M rolled up 50 points twice, once against Rice and once against TCU. UCLA scored 62 points against Alabama and twice the Sooners scored in the 40s.
The job to put together a defense falls partion on the duties of larry Jones, KU's vice capitals.
JONES, 43, is in his first year at KU. Previously he coached in Louisiana State, West Point, South Carolina and Tennessee. In 171 Jones became the head coach at Florida State where he compiled a 15-19 record.
"It's definitely going to be a challenge," Jones said recently. "It's tough playing defense in the Big Eight, but now we face such explosive teams as UCLA and A & M as well. There'll be pressure on us every week."
Graduation hit the Jayhawks' defensive unit hard, especially in the secondary. Gone from last year's secondary are all-Big Eight free safety Chris Golbk; Shapo, who led the Big Eight in pass interceptions with and lettermen Andy Reust and Jud Mitchell.
KU ALSO eight linebacker Terry Beeson, an all-big Eight selection; tackle Mike Butler, a first round draft selection by the Steelers and Steve Jones, a starter at defensive end.
KU coach Bud Moore said that although it would be tough to replace such players as Golub, Beeson, Sharp and Butler, "I feel a little better about our linebacking crew than I did before spring drills, but the secondary is inexperienced."
Only strong safety Tom Fitch has proven himself in the defensive secondary. The 6-1, 200-pound senior from Topeka is listed as a potential all-Big Eight performer. However Fitch, an academic All-American, missed most of spring drills while concentrating on medical studies. A pre-med major, Fitch has a 3.75 grade point average.
"I DON'T think miss thinking spring drills hurt me too much," Fitch said. "It's a good learning experience but I've been here long enough to know what to do. It would be different if I reported in bad shape, but I'm in good condition now."
Hoping to add some depth to the KU secondary, Moore switched quarterback Mark Lissak, received Jimmy Little and running drills. Miller to the defense during drill sessions.
According to Jones, Little, a 5-11 sorghomore from Woodbridge, Va., made the most progress. He is listed as the No. 1 cornerback.
"Jimmy came to us late in the spring, but he made good progress." Moore said. "He's been a very productive team."
CORNERBACK LEROY Irvin and safe safety Caleb Rowe provide some experience in the secondary. Irvin, a sophomore from Augusta, GA., started occasionally and let
Rowe, a 5-9 senior from Leavenworth, was a part-time starter last year at cornerback but will be moved to free safety this year. He is expected to have comparable recoveries and had one interception.
Senior letterman Wayne Ricks and sophomore Dave Harris will add depth to the secondary, Jones said. Ricks, from Newport News, Va., appeared in all 11 games, as did Harris, a cornerback from Fowler, insulted of spring practice because of an injury.
See DEFENSIVE page 14
Quarterbacks must fill big shoes
Mark Vicendese
Vicendese, Bethke follow in footsteps of Rollin' Nolan and friends
By GARY BEDORE
Sports Writer
Much of Kansas football tradition centers on great quarterbacks. John Hadl, Bobby Douglass, Dav Jaynes and Nolan Cromwell all made names for themselves while playing quarterback at KU.
The two men currently competing to play the glamour position for KU are juniors Bainet Bethke and Mark Vicenot, who played quarterback tradition 'till they lost on them.
"Just going to a school with such tradition is nice," Bethke said.
BUT WHEN a school has had a history of good quarterbacks, comparisons always are made, and comparisons by fans likely would match Vicendee and Bethke with Nolan Cromwell.
Likewise, Vicendese admitted that both he and Bethke were aware of the tradition at KU, although he discounted it. He also had, on their performance thus far,
"Everyone says I'm not the runner
Nolan is." Vicenice said. "I can't let it bother me. I wish I could run like Nolan or pass like Jaynes, but maybe I can do something in between."
Bethke has recently been compared to former Oklahoma quarterback Steve Davis, who, like Cromwell, ran a wishbone offense.
VCIENDESE ORIGINALLY WAS ticketed to be a red-shirt in 1976, but a knee injury to Cromwell forced KU head coach Bud Moore to take him off the red-shirt. Vicendese was put in action three games after Cromwell was injured and played in the final three games.
"I haven't done anything to deserve being compared to Davis," Bettke said. "I was flattered when I saw that and I hope I can live up to it. I've always liked Davis and followed him years ago."
But no matter what comparisons are made, Bethike and Vincedese have their own credentials.
Against Iowa State, Vicendess accounted for 149 yards in a 11-7 loss, but
the next week he suffered through a dismal day as Kansas committed seven turnovers in 46-17 loss to Colorado. In the season finale, however, Wendeece was masterful, running for four points during a 41-14 KU run for Missouri.
In the spring football game, Vic-
dese suffered from inconsistency again,
completing only two of 19 passes on a rainy day.
"Hopefully consistency will come with experience." Vicendese said. "I have to have consistency to be in there."
KU QUARTERBACK coach Gary Rutledge said that Vicendese had the qualities of a good wishbone quarterback.
"Mark is a good runner. He has good quickness and is a good passer." Rutledge said. "His weak point, and Mark knows it, is when he gets himself after he gets mistaken. He sometimes shook up. This is something he has to work out himself."
Vincendese concurs. "When I have a
good practice I'm confident, but when I mess up I feel bad. I have to learn to forget about it."
Rutledge says that Bethke has quickness and adequate speed and that he is a good passer.
sentex transferred to KU in January from Mount San Antonio Junior College and then went on to the team he both passed and rushed for more than 900 yards last season. He completed 62 per cent of his passes and was voted the team's outstanding performer.
Both players agree that their competition is friendly.
"I really needed spring practice to learn the offense, but it happened and there's nothing I can do about it now." Bettehe said. He is fully recovered from the injury.
"I think I have an opportunity to play," Bethke said. "Mark is number one, and if I play I'll have to earn it."
BETHEK WAS just getting started in spring practice when he broke his hand. As a result, he lost valuable time needed to learn KU's wishbone.
Brian Bethke