Wednesday, October 11, 2000
The University Daily Kansan
Section B • Page 7
7
Defense, special teams key to win
Chiefs, Raiders to play for lead in AFC West
The Associated Press
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Returning from their bye week, the Kansas City Chiefs went to work on two of the most disappointing phases of their game — run defense and lack of big plays on special teams.
In their first five games, the Chiefs (3-2) have failed to block a kick or get a big return on a punt or kickoff.
The Oakland Raiders (4-1), who come to town Saturday in a showdown for the AFC West lead, have blocked two kicks, including the potential game-winning field goal in an overtime victory last week against San Francisco.
"I think they've been magnificent," said Chiefs coach Gunther Cunningham of the Raiders. "The one (against San Francisco) shocks me. You don't let a guy jump through the tight end gap. They've done a great job. They've got a lot of speed on their roster to do that."
The Chiefs are hoping their return game will be enhanced by rookie Dante Hall, who missed the first four games with an injury.
"With the addition of Dante being well, sooner or later we're going to have a breakout where we score a touchdown or get a big return on a punt return or a kickoff return." Cunningham said. "What happens, whether it's offense, defense or special teams, a big play catapults you to the upper echelon of those areas."
Hall, who was drafted mainly as a replacement for departed kick returner Tamarick Vanover, finally was able to play when the Chiefs played Seattle at Kansas City on October 2. He did not break one, but he showed promise.
"On a kickoff return, there were five guys who missed him clean," Cunningham said. "What the blocking unit needs to do is see that and get their timing down. When you change returners, the timing is not there. That's what we're trying to improve on."
While the defensive line has been effective rushing the passer, accounting for all but one of their 17 sacks, the run defense has been soft. Through five games they have allowed 140
key to win CHIEFS
yards on the ground each game, which places them 25th in the league.
we're missing some gaps and a couple of times — more than a couple — our young defensive backs are not getting the call quickly enough," Cunningham said. "The adjustments are not quite there. And those are the things you have to go through with the youth and change we have on defense, and moving players around. All those things are causes for the defense to break down. I think we're going to correct it in time."
Cunningham took issue with the suggestion that his youthful secondary, which sometimes includes three rookies, has been the major problem on run defense.
"It's more of a mental process you've got to go through," he said. The defensive line has made a couple of errors. The linebackers have been involved in breakdowns, and the secondary has. But it's all correctable. It's going to take a lot of hard work by the players and coaches."
Arizona player determined to beat cancer
The Associated Press
TEMPE, Ariz. — The lines seem so tired and phony. A college basketball team is a family. A coach is like a second father.
For Justin Allen, a 19-year-old sophomore at Arizona State, the sentiments are as real as the cancer discovered in his body 3 1/2 weeks ago.
Doctors say the odds favor a full recovery, and Allen and his family have decided that his bond with the Sun Devils' program is so strong that he should stay in school and with his teammates while he fights the disease.
"It's more than just a team," Allen said. "We're a family. When I came out here, I adopted new brothers. The coach is like my parent. His wife is like my mom. She brought me tons of cookies in the hospital. I love it out here."
Allen left a small high school in Malta, Ill., an hour's drive from Chicago, to join the rebuilding effort of coach Rob Evans in Tempe. He was one of seven freshmen who played for the Sun Devils last season, averaging 2.9 points and 1.9 rebounds per game.
"I've been trying to fight some battles to get out of a small school and get to a big program, then once I get there this happens," Allen said. "But it's one more hurdle that's going to make me stronger."
During the summer, Allen had beefed up his 6-foot-7 frame to 230 pounds.
Then in late August, while working out in Illinois, he felt what he thought was a pulled stomach muscle. Back at Arizona State, the team trainer noticed Allen was lethargic and losing weight.
On Sept. 15, he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease, one of two types of lymphoma, a cancer that attacks the lymph system.
The disease was detected early, and doctors gave him a 90 percent
"I was scared at first, but with all the support I have everyone's got my back I know that I'm going to get through it."
Justin Allen
Arizona basketball player
"I keep thinking about Mario Lemieux and Andres Galarraga," Allen said of two sports stars who successfully resumed careers after cancer treatment. "They came back and had great years. I just want to get through this and go for it next year."
chance of recovery.
Allen said his mother initially wanted to take him home to Illinois.
"Once she came out here, she saw the support I had from everybody, saw the doctors I had, she said there was no way she would take me home because it's such a
great situation out here," he said. The night Allen was diagnosed, Evans held a team meeting in the room of player Chad Prewitt.
great situation out here," he said.
"It was a very tough night talking to those guys about it." Evans said.
"A lot of tears because these guys are very close. But after that we talked about making sure we were here for him, we strong for him and certainly these guys will be."
Allen has lost 30 pounds in the past few weeks. He began chemotherapy treatments last Friday, and they will continue every two weeks for four to six months. That will be followed by several weeks of radiation treatment.
In the meantime, he plans to enroll in school and take 12 or 13 hours of credits. He wants to attend every practice, every game.
"I was scared at first," Allen said, "but with all the support I have — everyone's got my back — I know that I'm going to get through it. I've just got to keep a positive attitude, and I'll be fine.
"I know I'm going to beat it.
There's no doubt at all."
NADA. ZILCH. NOTHING.
That's what you pay at KU Legal Services for Students. Call to make an appointment for free legal services.
Legal Services for Students
864-5665 • 148 Burge Union Jo Hardesty, Director
STUDENT SENATE
Time is running out!
Plan now and save on all your holiday travel. Lawrence Travel Center and Destinations Unlimited have joined forces to bring you the best service in Lawrence. Let us help you plan all your travel arrangements.
1601 W.23rd www.dreamtrvl.com
841-7117
BUILDING AN INTELLIGENT PORTFOLIO
Sign up or call for your appointment today!
Dates: October 18th & 19th,2000
RSVP: Register for your one-on-one counseling session on our website.
A TIAA-CREF Consultant will be on-site to provide free one-on-one counseling. You'll learn about long-term investment strategies; how to protect your assets against inflation; how to select the right mix of investments; and how TIAA-CREF's investment options can work for you. Schedule an appointment today to receive personalized financial guidance to help you reach your investment goals.
Date/Time:
You're invited to a one-on-one counseling session.
Place:
October 18th,2000
8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Burge Union, Daisy Hill Room
Date/Time:
Place:
October 19th, 2000
8:30 am - 3:15 pm
Burge Union, Daisy Hill Room
Ensuring the future for those who shape it.
1. 800.842.2006
www.tiaa-cref.org/moc
For more complete information on our securities products, call 1.800.842.2733, ext. 5509, for prospectuses. Read them carefully before you purchase *TIAA-CREF Individual and Institutional Services, Inc. and Teachers Personal Investors Services*, *Inc. distribute securities products*, *TIAA and TIAA-CREF Life Insurance Co., New York, NY* issue insurance and annuities. *TIAA-CREF Trust Company, FSB provides trust services*. *Investment products are not FDIC insured, may lose value and are not bank guaranteed.* © 2000 TIAA-CREF 08/21