16.
Page 10 University Daily Kansan, September 30, 1981
McNeely leads by example Walk-on guides secondary
By GINO STRIPPOLI Sports Writer
After a 1-10 season, the average football player would wonder if the practice and the pain were worth it. To a non-starting walk-on, a football career would look bleak.
But for senior cornerback Tony McNeely, a change in coaching staffs and confidence in his own ability would not let him quit.
"I KNEW I could play and I wanted the job," McNeely said. "And after our first meeting with Coach Fambrough, I knew this was the team for me."
McNely, who graduated from Summer High in Kansas City, Kan., came to KU as a walk-on, despite numerous offers of major college education. The freshman year, he saw considerable action and almost won a starting position for the team, although a blocked punt in the end zone for a touchdown against Kansas State.
"Freshman year was a learning experience for me," McNeely, 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, said. "It was tough to make the team under (then coach) Bud Moore, but when Coach Fambrough came in, everyone on the team started out even."
Since then, McNelyl's career has blossomed. He made 22 tackles, recovered two fumbles and intercepted one pass his sophomore season.
He doubled his tackle output his junior year with 41 and had two interceptions.
"THE MAIN difference in my play from my freshman season is that I now work as a team player," McNeely said. "When I first came here, everyone was doing his own thing and not playing as a unit.
"All that changed with the new coaching staff. From the first meeting of the team, they stressed unity."
McNeely has not gotten off to the start he would have liked to in his senior year. Despite KU's 34 record and a defense that has given up only three touchdowns, McNeely said that he was not pleased with his own play.
"I'm not playing as well as I can," he said. "I've had a slow start, but I'm progressing."
Progressing is exactly what McNely has done since coming to KU. He will be the first senior his menial seni year at Summer High to cornerback as a KU freshman.
TOM BATTA, defensive coordinator for the Jayhawks, said, "Tony has made a tremendous adjustment to the defensive secondary since we've been here. He's gotten better every year."
McNey is now the most experienced defensive back in KU's secondary, and continues to do what he does best—make big plays for KU.
Last year, his interception against Syracuse saved a touchdown and his interception against Iowa State turned the game in KU's favor and led to an upset.
This year, McNeely stopped Oregon running back Reggie Brown behind the line of scrimmage on a fourth-down-and-inches play. The play led to a KU score in its victorious home opener.
"TONY SEEMS to come through with the big play a lot," Batta said. "He looks to look at Tony for leadership by the way he plays, not by being vocal."
action. This combination, however, makes up the best secondary in the Big Eight, McNeely said.
"We have a lot more speed in the secondary this year and we're a lot more aggressive," said McNeely, who leads the secondary in tackles with 18. "I'm also more conscious about doing my job, because we are a little experienced in the backfield."
McNeely is definitely the leader in the secondary now. McNeely, who is joined by Dan Wagoner, Gary Coleman and either Roger Foote or Robert Gentry, is the only secondary member who has seen considerable
"SO FAR THIS season, though, everyone has done a great job." McNeely said one of his main goals was to help the defense reach its goals, which were established by Batta and the defense. The defensive end must have scored three points in the offense the at least twice in the opening team a half of the field.
For McNey, a berth on the All-Big Eight defensive team would be great, but only if the team reaches its goals as well. McNeely said that he would not be pleased with the season unless the 'Hawks finish at least third in the conference and go to a bowl game.
But the main goal for any senior playing collegiate football is to be drafted. According to Batta, that goal is within McNeely's reach.
If Tony continues to improve and be consistent in the season, he should achieve all his goals by the end of the season," Batta said. "He has had a lot of people looking at him so far this year. "He has all the tools to be an outstanding player."
JAYHAWK NOTES: The announcers for the KU-Akansas State telecast Saturday will not be Steve Grad and Darrell Royal, as reported earlier. Instead, they will be Chris Lincoln and Bob Beattie. Grad and Royal are covering the Houston-Bavarlor game.
Former KU safety Leroy Irvin, now with the Los Angeles Rams, returned a patt 55 yard pass to a touchdown in the 24-7 victory over the Detroit Redskins.
David Verser, former KU wide receiver, had his first pro reception Sunday for 28 yards, to lead the Cincinnati Bengals to a 27-24 overtime victory.
Former Jayhawk running back Billy Campfield rushed five times for 12 yards Sunday for the Philadelphia Eagles and had four catches for 27 yards.
Redskins running back John Riggins, a former KU star, carried the ball nine times for 22 vards and had two recumbents for 18 vards.
The Jayhawks' injury situation is virtually unchanged. Offensive tackle Renick Wilkins practiced yesterday after sitting out Monday. Wide receiver Russ Bastin was green-shirted yesterday, but is expected to practice today. Linebacker Eddie Simmons' strained knee will be held him during the Arkansas State game Saturday, but Head Coach Don Fambrough said Simmons should be able to return to action next week.
Fambrough said that, after several doctors' opinions, it appeared surgery would be required for tailback Kerwin Bell, who injured and tore the ligaments of his left knee in last Saturday's 21-16 victory over Kentucky.
"It looks like surgery will be necessary," Fambrough said. "But it appears that it's something that can be repaired."
JOHN EISELE/Kansan Staff
Fambrough said he did not yet know where the surgery would take place.
Cornback Tony McNeyle, a walk-on his freshman year, has found a starting position in the Jayhawk defensive secondary.
Tennis teams win first meets
Both KU tennis teams opened their seasons with victories.
The men defeated Southwestern Baptist, 6-3,
and the women overwhelmed Oral Roberts. 5-1
The men won all three doubles matches and three of the singles matches against Southwest Baptist. Charles Stearns (No. 2), Jim Syrett (No. 1) and Brady Bellone (No. 6) were all victorious for the Jawahires.
"WE HAD A good day against Southwestern Baptist," Head Coach Randy McGraal said. The men also played in the K-State Invitational, Sept. 18-19. Eight teams participated but the scores were kept. Ed Bolen, Scott Alexander and Rick Alcan performed well for the Jayhawks.
"Bolen and Alexander got to the finals in No. 2 doubles and Aubin made the semifinals in No. 2 singles."
well especially considering that he had asthma." McGrath said, however, that it was too early to determine if he was taking any medication.
“WERE JUST getting into matches now,” he said. “I haven't seen Colorado and some of the other teams play yet. You can't tell much from fall tennis because some teams get new players by spring or some of their players become invisible.”
Women's head coach Kathy Merrion said she was happy with her team's effort against Oral Rhea.
"They all played super," Merrion said.
The KU women were winners in five of the six matches. Merrion was particularly impressed with the play of No. 1 and 2 singles players Maureen Guilloll and Laura Runnels.
"Laura and Maureen had great matches," Merrion said.
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