Friday, August 31, 1979 1
University Daily Kansan
Sydney, Criswell demand leading roles
Former wishbone QB fills role as catalyst
BY GENE MYERS Sports Writer
If the Jahwahs achieve any measure of offensive success this season, most fans expect it to come from sophomore Kevin Clinton's arm.
But junior Harry Syndryne knows that an offense cannot rest entirely on its quarterback, whether he has thoroughbred legs, which Clinton does, or a center.
"We'd fall behind last year and everyone knew we had to throw," Sydney said. "We had no choice. We had no running game."
"That hurt us so much. We were always trying to come from behind and then always making mistakes. It's no secret that I'm not the best threer, but it was difficult to do anything when the defense always knew what we were doing."
THIS IS SEMINUE it's Clinton's job to do the throwing and Sydney's job to provide the ground support. In the spring, new head coach Dion Fambough moved Sydney to fallback, the position he played as a freshman, and he's been very active in coaching. His new assignment is to be the offensive catalyst, a burden he craves.
"I like to put pressure on myself," he said. "For our offense to jell, I have to make things happen."
"Kevin's young and has enough on his mind out in the field. I want the players to look up to me as a leader. I want that burden. I want the blame to be on you."
JEFF HARBING/Kansan staff
EVEN THOUGH the statistics don't back it up, Sydney was the big-play last season. After he, rushed 165 times for 222 yards and a meager 2.2 average rush. But actually he gained 434 yards; he lost 213 on quarrels. Mike Haggis finished as the leading roster with 720 batters at 68 attempts.
Sydney admits that KU's most effective plays in 1978 were his unbeaten head-to-head record (4-2-3), and the first time he ever overstarted the reigning game in five games against Colorado, at the same time coach Mike Nieman had them.
Against the Buffaloes, Sydney needed for 79 yards and ran for 58 more. The following weekend he gained 100 to lead the 'Hawks to a near up of No. ranked Oklahoma. 17-16. But by the ninth game, the 63-21 massacre by Nebraska, the onboarding had gotten wise.
"I ALWAYS had the option to scramble," Sydney said. "I liked that. I could get away and the defense didn't know what to expect."
"After a few games the others got smart. The defensive lines wouldn't try to stop me from passing. They wouldn't get smart to sack me, but would just clog them up."
Sydney doesn't expect to be so easily contained this season. He wants to run at least 7-6-5 yards a game, a self-imposed goal to help him fill his roster.
"If we need three yards," he said, "I want everyone to know that if you give me the ball I'll come through. I can get everybody up by doing it."
AS FOR HIS position switch, Sydney said he welcomed it almost as much as the decision to rename Moe with Fambrouch.
"The move helps out, and it's better for the team," he said. "It would be nice after college to have a pro career. I'm not planning on it, but it would make it easier."
*Last year I wanted to try quartback. As a Freshman, I knew there were better running backs than I. Brian Bakee and Jeff Hines did all right at quartback, but our offense just wasn't telling. We had a lot of quarterbacks and everybody had a chance to produce. When I got my chance I wasn't
THE OFFENSE never really jelled under Sydney either, a problem he wants to blame on faulty conditioning without taking any vague shots.
he wants to blame on faulty coaching without taking any vague, cheap shots. “To win you have to have everyone together,” he said. “With Moore, you'd be better.”
"In the past, we'd have four coaches tell you different things, which messes your head up. We'd work all week on a game plan and when the game came we wouldn't stick to it. Coach John Hadl would call a play and someone would end unchanne it.
Determined duo
"Fambridge is a man you can play for. He has the will and the knowledge to win and make you believe in yourself. He treats us like men. And when he comes up with a question, we are glad."
Hoping to revitalize both his offensive and defensive units, KU football coach Don Fambroch has burgled several of the team's biggest gaps.
were Harry Sydney, left, an ex-wishbone quarterback who was switched to backhack, and Kirby Criswell, tight end turned outside linebacker. Both players plan to play instrumental roles at their new positions.
Part-timer emerges as defensive standout
By MIKE EARLE Sports Editor
If it takes confidence to fight off a charging offensive lineman and make a lairing tackle, Kirby Crissel will be awesome.
After two years on offense at a tight end, Criswell is back where he started as a freeman—at the outside linebacker position
As a part-time starter at tight end, Criswall had his best season last year. He hailed in eight passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns, the TDs he added included two touchdowns.
Despite being tied for third on the squad last year in scoring, Criswell, who recently was promoted to the first-stripe outside linebacking crew, said he helped win the game 32-15.
"I won't miss it at all," Criswell said. "I'm going to get all the glory on defense and the special teams."
IF THAT SOUNDS a rifle boffle from a man that hasn't played defensively for two years. Crissel is quick to point out his defensives nonsense.
"It's all coming back to me. The more I practice, the more knowledge I get about our defense and the other defensive players. It's getting to the point where everyone knows their defensive assignments, and when that happens, everything we do is going to work.
"We're going to be the hardest打击 defense in the Big Eight," Criswell said. "We're going to make people navy for every vard they get."
"There were no major adjustments I had to make. I felt right at home, playing tight end against all All-BR 1ight linebackers me give an awareness."
"Ive got confidence in myself, the coaching staff and the rest of the inservice teams. We've got the potential to be a great defensive unit, and I am confident in that."
Although Criswis has plenty of confidence in himself, he is quick to point out that the entire defensive team will be as aggressive.
CRISWELL SAID he realized that KU's road schedule is one of the toughest in the nation.
"But I'll tell you one thing. "Criswish said. "If we do lose, people are going to "be off the field and they were in a football game. They'll know they played well."
Criswell said last year's nightmarish-1-10 season could be attributed to former head coach Bud Moore.
CRISWELL HAS THE SIZE to be a Big Eight linebacker. A senior from Grimell, he stands 64 and 85 weight, 230 pounds which makes him one of the larger linebackers in the Big Eight. Criswelli has also good speed for a big man. He runs the 40-yard dash in about 4.6 seconds.
"I last year we had a lot of injuries, and we didn't have the personnel to fill in. A lot of that was the coach's fault. A lot of good athletes left under Moutherville."
"Moore took the fun out of football." He made practices monotonous. Dan Farmbrace came in wired and changed things. He makes
DURING SPRING DRILLS Fambrough crissall Crawlson for his quick assistance to linebacking duties, and later said Crawlson "has the personality to
KU outside backerback coach Larry Donovan echoed Farmbrough's sentiments.
"We're looking for Kirby to provide the big play for us," said Donovan. "He has the good, size and speed that will allow him to come up with a well-rounded team."
"Kirby is better suited for defense. We're expecting a lot from him and Jim Zidd (KU's other outside linebacker)."
Zidd, a second team all-conference selection by United Press International, adds to the Jayhawks' outside linebacker crew. He led the Big Eight last year in tackles on the line of scrimmage with 19 for 128 yards in losses.
Outside linebackers Criswell and Zidd, and inside linebackers Seclairis Young and Marty Carbonell, could add up to one of the best lists of plays.
J. HOOD BOOKSELLER QUALITY USED BOOKS
Hardcover
Young, a 6-5, 21-8 pound junior, appears destined to become the all-time leading tanker in KU history. Hallway through his career, Young already is tied with former KU All-American John Zook as the 12th leading tanker. Cartwell has started every game for KU the past two seasons. He had a 16-4 record against them.
Hardcover
Paperback (1/2 Original Price)
Magazines, Records, Music
Prints and Matting
Search Service for Out-of-Print Books
ties-Sat: 11am-6pm Sunday: 1pm-6pm
Back To School Special
1401 MASS.
Closed Monday 841-4644
FREE Shampoo & Blow Dry with every Prime Cut Offer good August 13 thru September 8 Call or come by Ask for Jana Cox or Linda Yowell
Prime Cut Hair Co.
Redken, RK. Natural Women
Mon.-Sat. 9-6
Thurs 9-8
...
Introduces the G's Burger!
841-4488
13 E. 8th
OFFER GOOD AT BOTH LOCATIONS
642 Mass. 1101 W·6th
841-7818 841-3402
Regular G's Burger
25$OFF
with coupon
Regular price $1.60
G's Cheese Burger
25¢ OFF
with coupon
Regular price $1.75
the VILLAGE SET
922 Massachusetts
last chance sale!
up to 2/3 off!
sensational summer fashions from all stores, reduced to clear. unbelievable savings in every dept. OPEN THURS. EVES. AND SUNDAY 1-5
Friday,
Sept. 7, 1979
110 WAYS TO SAVE
Available NOW at the KANSAS UNION BOOKSTORE