Volume 126 Issue 26
kansan.com
October 7,2013
COMMENTARY Patience hard to come by for fans
B ill Self tried his best to stay cool. There he was at center court in Allen
Fieldhouse, the nation's second-best recruiting class waiting patiently in the tunnel behind him and a hoard of fans hanging on his every word.
In these situations, Bill Self is usually the master of cool.
A juxtaposition of sorts given Late Night in the Phog is all about hype. It's a way to show off the power of "Jayhawk Nation" to future recruits and exploit the history behind it. And when the fans reach a crescendo Self walks out on to the court to ease expectations.
On Friday, he did so by telling the crowd to be patient. He reiterated that this is a young team and they will need time to adjust. But the excitement got to Self too.
Just before he handed over emcee duties to Kansas fan and comedian Rob Riggle, Self looked up at the north rafters, the ones that display tributes to the jayhawks five National Championships. And with his team in earshot, Self let out his true feelings.
"It's time to hang one more banner," Self announced. Rightfully so, Allen Fieldhouse erupted.
Then again, what else is there to sav at this point?
In the last three years the Jayhawks have made it to the Sweet Sixteen, Elite Eight and National Championship respectively. Self has said that this year's class may have the most talent he ever collected at once. The expectations haven't changed so why should acknowledging them be considered taboo?
During the annual barrage of pump-up videos shown before the men's team scrimmaged on Friday, one was particularly telling of how Kansas plans on handling the hype.
With the arena lights out, the scoreboard played highlights of the last nine Big 12 championships, all of which were won by the Jayhawks and each accompanied by a ring fit for, well, a champion. The montage ended with four simple words: No Pressure. No Diamonds.
Kansas can't run from its identity this year. There's no lack of star power to hide behind. No depth issues to use as an excuse.
which is what made Self's declaration at center court such a relief. That's not to say there won't be growing pains, or that the Jayhawks won't drop a few winnable-games.
But consider that only two years ago Self stood in the same spot on James Naismith Court and asked fans to "enjoy the ride," now here he was slamming his foot on the gas pedal. The result wasn't the roaring of an engine, but the cheers of 16,300 fans in Allen Fieldhouse. The sixth banner they had envisioned seemed as real as ever.
They too looked toward the north rafters. Patience be damned.
Edited by Evan Dunbar
NOT QUITE THERE
GEORGE MILLINIX / KANSAN
HOMECOMING HICCUP
Junior running back Brandon Bourbon is tackled by two Texas Tech defenders during Saturday's homecoming game. The Jayhawks' Big 12 losing streak continued with a 54-16 loss to the Red Raiders.
MAX GOODWIN
mgoodwin@kansan.com
The feeling of a potential upset hung in the air at Memorial Stadium, as Kansas players and fans waved the wheat after a pass from Jake Heaps spiraled through the air and found an open Jimmay Mundine for a 25-yard touchdown in the first quarter.
The Jayhawks held a 10-0 lead over the no. 20 ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders at the end of the first quarter. But it all unravelled soon after that, as Tech scored 20 points in the second quarter.
"We set up the game in anticipation that we didn't want to get in a horse race," Charlie Weis said in the post-game press conference. "Because I don't think we're set up
to be in a horse race."
In the second half the game became ugly for the Jayhawks. By the time the final whistle sounded, it was a 54-16 loss.
"It turned really fast," defensive lineman Keon Stowers said. "They had a lot of big plays, both on offense and on defense."
The momentum shifted towards Tech in the second quarter and carried them to 54 unanswered points, before Kansas backup quarterback Michael Cummings found Andrew Turzilli in the end zone for the final score of the game.
But even on that touchdown by Turzill, the extra point by Matthew Wyman floated wide left. But that was the least significant of the plays that hurt Kansas.
A failed fake punt that seemed to confuse every person in the stadium gave the Red Raiders the ball at the Kansas 16-yard-line. Tech was in the end zone two plays later with a touchdown lead. "It was a situation where we
It was decided if something happened, take it. And he got caught in limbo." Weis said.
Weis said there was a certain punt defense that Texas Tech ran that Pardula was told to run on if he saw that defense. It just so happened that he thought he saw that particular defense while punting inside of the layhawks 20-yard-line.
"I in hindsight he [probably] wouldn't do it, but he saw a certain look [and thought] he was capable," Weis said.
"He wasn't in empty," Weis said, referring to the package the Jayhaws ran with an empty back field, "so, when we're throwing it, the two backs we're putting in are Tony [Piterson] and Brandon [Bourbon], and that's the right
It was one of many negative plays for the Jayhawks in the game, which including four fumbles, one interception, 12 penalties and several failed exchanges between the center and quarterback.
James Sims, the most productive player on the Kansas offense with 281 yards rushing and two touchdowns in the first three games of the season, rushed for just 28 yards on nine carries. Six of those carries came after the Jayhawks already trailed by 20 or more.
Texas Tech ran exactly 100 offensive plays, leaving the Jayhawks defense exhausted.
thing to do."
Defensive lineman Keon Stowers said it was the most plays he had ever been on the field for in a game.
Players were visibly frustrated after the 38-point loss.
By the end of the game the student section of the stadium was almost completely empty, and Weis said he doesn't blame the students for leaving the game.
"It gets pretty tiring being out there that long," linebacker Ben Heeney said.
"If I were at the game, I probably had left too." Weis said.
—Edited by Evan Dunbar
Players mourn recruit's death
I CHRIS HYRI
FOOTBALL
chvbl@kansan.com
Andre Maloney, a 17-year-old Kansas football recruit from Shawnee Mission West high school died Friday morning after suffering a stroke during a high school football game against Leavenworth West.
After being taken by ambulance to Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Maloney entered surgery in attempt to remove a blood clot in his brain, but the surgery was unsuccessful.
Maloney had just hauled in a 63-yard touchdown pass for Shawnee Mission West and was headed to the sideline when he collapsed. Maloney, a three star recruit according to rivals.com, committed to play for Kansas over the summer.
"As a dad and a loving parent, it's just a nightmare and a true tragedy" Kansas coach Charlie Weis said in a press conference following Kansas' 54-16 loss to Texas Tech on Saturday. "I know everyone feels that way, but I have a different feeling towards my kids, meaning my team."
"When a player is either on my team or committed to my team, I believe that my responsibility is to be like a dad to them. I don't try to be their dad, but I try to be like a dad. When it happens to anyone, anything pains me. But not like this."
Weis was in constant communication with those close to the situation after Maloney was taken to the hospital Thursday night.
Weis said he wanted to go to the hospital to support Maloney, but decided not to thinking that he would be more of a distraction rather than a help to the developing situation.
"When I went to bed late Thursday night, I didn't know the magnitude of what we were dealing with," Weis said. "But early Friday morning, at five oclock, it was already not good."
Jayhawks players were seen draped in Gatorade towels with the hashtag #playdrew written in black marker. Weis also mentioned that he noticed a player had written 'R.I.P' on his uniform.
Maloney had narrowed his selection of schools down to six including Iowa State, Missouri, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, and Tulsa before ultimately committing to Kansas.
"Id have a tough time faulting him for that," Weis said.
According to the Kansas City Star, visitation for Maloney will be held from 7-10 p.m. Tuesday at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 8311 W. 93rd St. in Overland Park. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 4 p.m. Wednesday at Holy Cross.
—Edited by Evan Dunbar
Andre Maloney, a 17-year-old recruit from Shawnee Mission West high school, died on Friday after suffering a stroke. Members of the Kansas football team wore armbands dedicated to the young player during Saturday's homecoming game.
ASHLEIGH LEE/KANSAN