Section C
1234567890
84th Year, No.1
The University of Kansas—Lawrence, Kansas
Thursday, August 23, 1973
Section C
Competition Forebodes Mediocre Season
By BEN WEAVER
Kansan Staff Writer
"A sleeper with a new defensive muscle and old passing potency" is what one football magazine has to say about KU's football team this year.
The publication ranks Kansas sixth in the Big Eight. Finishing sixth out of eight teams seems to indicate that it's going to be another bad season for the Jayhawks.
However, if you look at the record closely enough, you'll find that the Big Eight Conference is ranked No. 1 in the country, and that out of those teams, five went
NOT ONLY will the Jayhawks have to play seven tough teams in the conference, but also they'll play two nonconference teams that are ranked in the country's top
Head Coach Don Fambrough says, "I don't usually put a lot of stock in the rankings, but I think they have a pretty good idea."
Fambrough says that, this year, the Jayhawks will have more depth and more talent than they have had in recent years. "The defensive unit is the most improved team in the league," he said, important part of the defense is to stop the run first, then concentrate on the pass.
Fambrough says that the biggest concern for the team is the offensive line.
OFFENSIVE line develops as
paired KU should have a pretty potent
margin.
"We have all of inexperienced people in those positions." he admits.
The only returning linemen are center Mike McDaniel and tackle John Bryant. Guards Jerome Hodges, Mike Englebrake and John Morgan, tucker Gordon Stockiem and sophomore ends Greg Hosack and come through on the offensive line.
Delvin Williams is going to be the key to
Jhe running game if he stays healthy, says Fambrough.
"He is the kind of runner that can break the game wide open; he is capable of going all the way on any play." Fambough says. Brad Adams and David Jaynes are going to compose one of the most potent passing combinations in the Big Eight this season. Combination players have any kind of situation and Jaynes has the ability to get it there.
"LAST year, we had a good passing game but our running game was so ineffective
KU Schedule For 1973
Sept. 15 WASHINGTON STATE
29 MINNESOTA (Band Day)
13 KANSAS STATE (Homecoming)
20 at Nebraska
27 at Iowa State
Nov. 3 OKLA. STATE (Parents Day)
10 COLORADO
17 at Oklahoma
MISSURI
that other teams could ignore the run and concentrate on the pass, Fambrighau says. "This year, with Williams back and forward, we can't afford to ignore our running traps."
"With the good balance we have in our offence backfire we should make it tough for them."
Emmett Edwards, Ken Saathoff and Paul Emmett will be split receivers for the
Fullback Robert Miller, who averaged 5.3 yards per carry last year, will be back for
KU after missing spring practice because of an ankle operation to remove a calcium deposit.
In the defensive unit as a whole, improvement is needed. Last year, in 11 games, 305 points were scored against the Jayhawks.
THIS YEAR, the Hawks will try a new type of defense, including a position called nose guard. Fambrough says the defensive unit will adjust to it with no difficulty.
"We have the personnel who are made for this type of defense," he says.
Defensive linemen standouts for the Jayhawks include Mike Lemon, who played at nose guard in spring practice, tackle a defender and, as a candidate, a candidate for All-Big Eight team.
Fodro Dillon, returning from a bout with hepatitis, and Jeff Turner should also play.
The linebackers beaded by led Steve Towle, who was out of spring practice because of a knee operation. Other experienced linebackers were Derek Johnson, Weidner, Dean Baird and Chris Mercer.
The defensive secondary, a weak area for the Jayhawks last year, is said to be improved because of experience and depth. Rocky Brenn, Rick Mudge and Kurt Knobb should hold down the defensive backfield for KU.
FAMBROUGH SAYS THAT Denny Lantz, Atlantic, Iowa, senior, who was arrested July 11 and charged with the cocaine, had a history of involvement, be a key player at cornerback this year.
Fambrough said that Lantz's absence this year would not hurt the team as much as his absence last year. Last year, Lantz was sidelined often because of injuries.
Quarterback David Jaynes (No.12) Could Be a Bright Spot in This Year's Prospects
Here Are Some of the Jayhawk Stalwarts for the 1973 Season
Steve Towle Linebacker
Mike Lemon Nose Guard
Robert Miller Running Back
John Bryant Offensive Tackle
Mitch Sutton Defensive Tackle
Emmett Edwards Flanker
Cornhuskers Could Sweep 1973 Football Harvest
By GERALD EWING
Kansan Staff Writer
The end of the summer is approaching and with it comes the dawning of a new season of that grand and glorious sport of football.
Associated with the hot and mudgy days of August is the obligation of the sports
As most football enthusiasts know, the Big Eight Conference has been far and away the best in the country the last two years. But it's not always true; it be the year of the Cowboy, the Buffalo, the
writer to turn magical odds maker for the future of nearly every football team in the
Sooner or possibly the year of that crimson and blue bird with the electronic eyes?
PREDICTIONS seem to point at 1973 as the year of the Cornhusker. Although Nebraska lacks all-Americans Johnny Rogers, Rich Glover and Willie Harper, as well as outstanding coach Bob Devaney, they seem to have few weaknesses.
Tom Osborne, who was previously an assistant coach in charge of the passing game, appears to be a capable replacement for him, who became Nebraska's athletic director.
NEBRASAK'S offence is sound with its strongpoints being an overpowering of-
Hopeless tangles of arms and legs are standard at football games and this strange juxtaposition is no exception. The spider-like shape is really KU receiver Bruce Adams, pinned
Opposing Wills
onto the grass by an opposing player, but still nowhere near letting the ball out of his grasp.
fensive line and a competent and experienced quarterback in Dairy Humm.
Nebraska's offensive line is anchored by tackle Daryl White and guard Bob Wolfe, who both have All-Big Eight and All-America potential.
THE PASSING game should also be good with Humm at quarterback and Frosty Anderson and Ritch Bae as wide receivers. Last year, Humm passed for a school record. Humm passed for a school record.
The offensive backfield is good and could be great if sophomore back Tony Davis can reach his expected potential. Complementing Davis will be power-runners Darringer and Ralph Powell, who should have brekaoka a much needed ground attack.
The main problem with the offense is it doesn't have the awesome explosiveness that was supplied by Johnny Rogers. But with its overall depth and cohesiveness, the Cornshusers shouldn't have any problems scoring.
ON DEFENSE, the Cornhuskers should be tough but not nearly as good as in the past. The defensive line is solid with tackle John Dutton and end Steve Manstede making up for the losses of Willie Harper and Rich Glover.
The Nebraska team does have some holes, but its star players should make up for their lack of depth. A good indication of Nebraska's potential will be its success in
its opening game against UCLA September 8, in Lincoln.
THE SECOND place team for 1973 appears to be Colorado, who will have more raw talent than anyone in the Big Eight. The SEC team hopes hips on an inexperienced defense.
The linebacking should be good with Tom Rudd and Bob Nelson as the two most experienced backers. The defensive secondary appears to be the weak point because of inexperience at the cornerback and safety positions.
The main point of question is the defensive line, which has only two lettermen expected to return. The linebacking is also questionable with Rick Stearsman the only cornerback yet taken up. John Keyworth, Rich Blund and Ozell Collier returned in three of the four spots.
COLORADON'T offense appears the best in the Big Eight. There are no apparent weaknesses and an abundance of talent at nearly all of the positions.
The Buffalo's offense will be led by either Ken Johnson or Joe Duenas, both proven leaders. Johnson is the probble starter because of his physical size and superior nassia ability.
In the backfield, Colorado has two of the best runners in college football in Bo Matthews and Charlie Davis. Both are among the nation's top players with the power and speed that is needed.
THE COLORADO receivers, led by outstanding tight end J. V. Cain, are also the best in the Big Eight. Cain is second on the offensive line and has scored 424 yards in one season. The two other outstanding receivers are sophomore David Logan and junior Steve Haggerty. The offensive line is also wither with center Greg Horton and副队长 Greg Herton as the outstanding players.
Sheer talent should power the Buffalos to
See CORNHUSKERS, Page Two