Wednesday, August 23, 1978
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Hadl oversees KU quarterbacks; new offense strategy implemented
BySTEVE HERBERT
Sports Writer
A much-neglected insert in the University of Kansas football record book shows that one John Hadi hold the top mark for yards and points. It also has a game, against Stetson way back in 1989.
But Hadi is hardly remembered for his talents as a runner. His arm captured much more attention than his feet in a 16-year tenure as quarterback in the pros, which he ended in February as the third leading passer in National Football League history.
And Had, back at KU as the Jahywahs quarterback, will tell you he didn't
"Heck," he said, "it's a lot more fun to throw the ball."
Starting this year, the Jayhawks quarterbacks will have more of Had's kind of offense. The Hawks' offense will
3-year-old wishbone offense with a more versatile one.
WITH THE SWITCH, there no denying the quarterback's role has changed again.
University Daily Kansan
"It's a more pro-type attack," Hadi said.
"The quarterback will be taking a lot of drop passing and play-action. It won't be the same run-the-option wishbone approach."
Where Nolan Cromwell propelled the Jawhawk* off a few years ago without an accurate throwing arm, the five prospects vying for the starting quarterback position will have to master the art of passing for KU to be successful.
"Passing is not a critical aspect of the wishbone," Hail said. "But it's something we plan on doing a lot of this year, so we can make sure we are very important part of our offense."
Youth limiting depth in Jayhawk football
The Jayhawk football team looks strong on the defensive line and at linebacker, but not as much on the quarterback.
KU probably will suffer from having too much youth again. Last year, there were often 30 freshmen and sophomores on the 55-team team, squirt teams, which compel the best players.
The 30 or so recruits and walk-ons may change the starting line-ups listed below, which were set after a month of spring practice.
QUARTERBACKK—KU had four on the active list last season, and they all started at least one game. The Jayhawks have five starts this season, and they comprise seven defenses. She Hines appear quite a bit ahead of the Bethke, the better passer, totaled 384 teams in the air; Hines ran for a position-best 150. Bill Lills, red-hot in 2017, probably the best passer on the team.
Offense
OFFENSIVE LINE—Listed first on the depth chart after the spring are Jim Ragsale, a 252-pound junior, and Al Roberts, a 250-pound sophomore. Back-ups are 250-pound Franklin King and 250-pound Tom O'Doherty, both seniors. Ragsale, captured in after Balagua's death, is the only one of the four to not have and knee surgery.
"I feel much better about quarterbacks now than I did last fall," Moore said. "The first two quarterbacks have a year's experience. It's got to be a help."
Center Mike Wellman, a senior and KU's most-experienced lineman, and tackles Mike Gay and Boh Written should have been worried. Written worries, though, about tight end, where four players want the job. "I'm concerned that we don't have a tight end who is a combination of blocker and receiver," he said. The team caught two passes last fall, leads the rock.
David Verser, whose 11 catches were on the team, is a sophomore and No. 1 at spitball.
OFFENSIVE BACKFIELD—"The big problem in the backfield is that we're really going to have to be tough inside and try to get around the corners," Moore said. "I'm concerned that we don't have a lot of speed."
Senior fullback Max Edge should pace the backfield. He had a 6.2 yard average against his opponent.
Other starters probably will be tailback Tracy Levy and wingback Mark Vi尔德县.
KICKING—Junior Mike Hubach holds the school records for consecutive points after (28), longest field goal (52 yards) and most field goals in a season (7). His punting (40.6 yards a whallop) was third best in the conference.
DEFENSIVE LINE—Experience is deepest on the left side, where end Jim Zidm, junior, and tackle Mike Beal, senior, keep their spots. Senior Harry Murphy, who has been bothered by injuries for two years, played in the national team of Odel, who as a freshman tackle was considered one of the nation's best newcomers at the position.
Defense
DEFENSIVE BACKS—Aside from free safety Ieroy Irvin, a junior there isn't much experience. Filling out the sackfield are cornerbacks Dave Harris, another junior, and Delvin Miller, a sophomore. A juco transfer from Los Angeles, Joe Tumpick, impressed Moore and defensive coach Jones into listing him N. 1 at strong safety.
LINEBACKERS—If Moore had his druthers, the other teams would run every play up the middle at his tackles and linebackers. The trio of sophomore Young (91 tackles), senior John Algee (67) and junior Monty Carbonell (102) led the team in tackles. Linebacker may be the strongest position on the team.
Depth in the secondary is so poor that Miller is the only one who isn't also the second-string player at another secondary position.
John Hadl
"I really am !~ a very competitive situation, which is good," Hadl said. "We plan to have three quarterbacks ready to play for each team." Then he told me how each does in practice and go from there.
WHILE THE NEW offense means an adjustment for the players, it makes Hadi's job easier. It is, after all, more like what he did in 2013 with Diego, Los Angeles, Green Bay and Houston.
The starting position is far from being won, Hadi said. While Bethke and Hines have the advantage of experience, Hadi knows that performance will spar each to better performances.
PRESENT TOP dog in the quarterback struggle is senior Brian Bethe, last year's leading passer. Close behind, is sophomore Jeff Hines, a starter in six games.
Three others are in the race. Bill Lilis, a red-shirt last year but considered the team's best passer; Steve Smith, who saw limited action last season, and Harry Sydney, a speedster who tried his hand at running the last year. All have sophomore eligibility.
Hadi had even planned to stay in the stpa to coach after retiring. He was headed to the Oakland Raiders when he heard that Gary Rutledge had out at KU.
"I was sort of in the right place at the right time." he said. "I had decided on the Oakland job, but then there was the opening here."
Hald jumped at the chance to return not only to his alma mater, but to his home town in Oklahoma.
"I enjoy being back home and back at KU," he said. "I also enjoy bing away from the pros and back in college football. The students there learn, learning and there's less business involved."
WHILE HE HAD always planned to coach when he retired, Hadi admits it' s been hard for him.
"Coaching forces you to look at the game in a different perspective," he said. "It's been a whole new experience, but I've really enjoyed it."
Besides, he said, "It's a lot easier to tell them how to do it or to yourself."
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There is a special Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plan...including Major Medical Coverage..
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As a part of the University of Kansas student health and welfare program, a special Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plan is available to you on a voluntary basis.
It provides coverage in addition to your regular student health services, taking care of many things such as hospitalization and surgery that you would otherwise be responsible for. This special student plan also includes a $50,000 lifetime major medical extension for protection against unusual or prolonged illness. And it's good on or off the campus.
When you enroll, you will receive a Blue Cross and Blue Shield
application card. This card should be filled out and presented to the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Representative in Allen Fieldhouse. DO NOT include a check or money order with your application. You will be billed. This year you may pay monthly, quarterly, or semi-annually, as you prefer.
Students who are not married may already be covered by their parents' family Blue Cross and Blue Shield contract. You should check your parents' family contract to see if you are covered. If hot, you will want to enroll in this special student plan.
If you enroll in a full family membership, your spouse is covered, and all unmarried dependents from birth to age 21.
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield representative will be on campus August 23, 24, and 25 to enroll students.
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