8
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Monday, November 4, 1968
KU ground corps too much for Buffs
By BOB KEARNEY Assistant Sports Editor
Kansas 27, Colorado 14: say it with P-O-W-E-R.
That's a 'P' for the punishing KU ground attack that amassed 428 yards, and an 'O' for the overwhelming defense that throttled Colorado's heralded Bob Anderson.
Add the 'W' for the wide-open spaces in the Colorado defense carved by KU's offensive line, and the 'E' for the empty seats left by the rain-drenched Homecoming fans seeing a 27-0 laughter after three quarters.
Save the 'R' for Riggins—John,
that is. The bruising 225-pound
sophomore fullback gained 162
yards on 22 attempts, scoring
two touchdowns. His 63-yard
romp on KU's third play from
scrimmage set-up the first of two
Bill Bell goal goals.
"I think the biggest factors in this game were the blocking and hard running of all our backs offensively," noted Coach Pepper Rodgers in his locker room evaluation, "and defensively, the great pass rush we put on Anderson."
In fact, until Anderson connected on a 28-yard pass to Monte Huber late in the third period, the Bucks quarterback had only one yard in offense.
"We tried to motivate our squad to stop Anderson because he's the leader of their offense and the biggest threat to hurt you," said Rodgers.
Anderson, the Colorado quarterback and Big Eight leader in total offense, was held to his lowest output ever (32 yards) with minus 8 yards rushing while completing only 3 of 12 passes for 40 vards.
"Our ends and tackles did a good job," Rodgers praised. "I thought this was one of Vernon Vanoy's best games." he said.
That defense, which has allowed only one touchdown in the first half all season, allowed Colorado to cross midfield only once but never inside KU's 40 until the count read 27-0.
The Jayhawk offense, although splashing freely through the Colorado defenders, was stymied by an interception and fumble in the early going. Bell's 20-yard field goal earned a 3-0 edge with 12:02 to play in the first period, but KU came up empty-handed in its next two threats.
Quarterback Bobby Douglass, whose T88 yards rushing and 9 of 15 passing performance (87 yards) easily overshadowed Anderson, suffered a minor setback on KU's second possession. Colorado's Mike Bynum grabbed a deflected pass at the Buffs' 10, halting a Kansas drive and stopping Douglass' Big Eight record for passes thrown without an interception at 97.
Colorado coach Eddie Crowder feels that Kansas "has to be the No. 3 team in the country and may be the No. 1 team," after his club took a 27-14 beating.
Crowder convinced
Crowder did not say which team showed greater physical strength. "It's hard to determine if they're physically stronger than we are on a wet field," he declared. "Take John Riggins (KU running back) who runs the hundred in 9.8 seconds—that's physical strength."
"John Riggins is the most noteworthy player on the scene. He's so much better than any acclaim given him. Everyone knows that Douglass and Shanklin are great players, but Riggins is so much better than anyone thinks."
The CU coach praised the sophomore Riggins who was a poison arrow in the Buffs' side.
NEVER TOO LATE
Colorado running backs such as Tom Nigbur could move only through the middle of KU's defense, Crowder said, because the Jayhawks were preventing CU backs from going around the ends. Nigbur scampered for 119 yards on eight carries, scoring twice.
- UNDERSTANDING COMES
FASTER WITH
CLIFF'S NOTES!
CU's coach admitted that KU defensive end Vernon Vanoy shattered the Buffs' kicking game. "Our kicker saw Vanoy once and went to pieces and I don't blame him (the kicker)," Crowder said.
OVER 175 TITLES $1 EACH
AT YOUR BOOKSELLER
LINCOLN NEBRASKA 68501
Colorado had a chance to do something about the 3-0 deficit when Steve Tracy covered a fumble at the KU 33. The Buffs returned the favor, bobbling a pitchout on 4th-and-1 that defensive tackle Karl Salb claimed at the 21.
Following an exchange of punts, the Jayhawks moved from their 33 to the CU 16. Split end George McGowan nabbed a 15-yard Douglass aerial and wingback John Jackson took an 18-yard bullet to spark the drive. But Colorado's Dave Bartelt pounced on a second
John Riggins fumble, checking the advance at the 14.
Those two fizzles—and two other near touchdowns in the fourth period—saved the Buffaloes from total humiliation. What occurred between those 'almost' scores was humiliating enough.
KU charged 73 yards, exclusively on the ground, for its first touchdown. Junior Riggins, whose 67 yards on eight trips complemented his younger brother's efforts, swept right end twice for 20 yards. Douglass stepped-off eight yards on a keeper, and tailback Don Shanklin cracked the left side of Colorado's defense three times for 24 yards.
The offensive line then opened a gaping hole, and John Riggins charged 21 yards for the touchdown, dragging Bynum the final five yards. Bell's conversion made it 10-0 with 3:36 showing in the half.
It wasn't long before KU padded the cushion. A rushed punt gave the Jayhawks possession at the CU 38 with 2:02 remaining. An 18-yard pass to jackson highlighted the TD push, and on the sixth play of the series, Junior Riggins latched onto a 6-yard scoring pass from Douglass.
Bell, in breaking three school records for most career field goals (8), most season extra points (35), and most career extra points (51), banged home a 38-yard fielder early in the third. It was the longest field goal in Bell's varsity career, although he booted one from the same distance as a freshman.
If there were still any doubts at that juncture, KU removed those with a 43-yard scoring burst later in the quarter. Douglass scrambled 23 yards to the CU 8, and John Riggins crashed straight ahead for the six-pointer at 2:48.
Colorado then marched 68 yards in nine plays to finally light the scoreboard. Reserve fullback Tom Nigurba slammed the final three yards for the touchdown, less than one minute into the fourth period.
Nigur also raced 80 yards on a draw play, scoring with 2:01
RICHARDSON MUSIC CO.
Kustom and Fender
Headquarters
Complete Music Supplies
Lessons and Rentals
18 E. 9th V1 2-0021
for:
- Quality Trees
- Roping
- Wreaths
- ● Decorations-a wide selection
- Mistle Toe
Candies
● Holly
GARDENLAND
914 W.23rd
VI 2-1596
to play. KU almost rubbed it in, though, but a 9-yard touchdown pass from Douglass to Willie Amison on the game's final play was nullified. Douglass had crossed the line of scrimmage before throwing.
Rodgers tabbed it the biggest of KU's victories.
"Colorado was just coming off a big win (over Oklahoma) and has a great quarterback. It has to be very satisfying to beat a team like that."
sua Presents— 1968 Away Games Bus Trips Kansas vs. K-State
November 16
Cost—$9.50, includes game ticket.
Be there with the SUA bus trip to watch us kill Purple Pride! ke your reservation in person at SUA of
Make your reservation in person at SUA office
DON'S STEAK HOUSE
FINE FOOD AT REASONABLE PRICES
Open Monday-Saturday 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Sundays 4:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
1 Mi. South of Holiday Inn
DOES YOUR FORMAL WEAR NEED CLEANING?
We all try to look our best for formal occasions. New York Cleaners is dedicated to helping you look your best for these important events. So next time you have an important formal dance, come to New York Cleaners first. Your formal wear is expertly cleaned. Our service is fast and courteous.
REPAIRING ALTERATIONS
NewYork Cleaners
926 Mass.
Merchants of Good Appearance
Serving students for 55 years