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The University Daily Kansan
Yesterday in sports
Sports
International officials said American shot put world champion C.J. Hunter, husband of Olympian Marion Jones, tested positive for nandrolone, a banned drug.
SEE PAGE 8B
Inside: See more photos from Saturday's football win against Southern Illinois.
Inside: Kansas wide receivers played a big role in the Jayhawk win on Saturday.
SEE PAGE 3B
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2000 For comments, contact Melinda Weaver or Jason Walker at 864-4858 or e-mail sports@kansan.com WWW.KANSAN.COM/SPORTS
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Rout raises Kansas' confidence
Team's focus shifts to Big 12 opener against Oklahoma
David Winbush dives over a Saluki to score on a five-yard touchdown run. Winbush ran for 75 yards on 15 carries against Southern Illinois. Photo by Aaron Lindberg/KANSAN
By Jason Franchuk
The KU football team spent Saturday patching holes and plugging leaks discovered in its first two games of the season.
For all the concerns coach Terry Allen had about his team before Saturday's 42-0 win against Southern Illinois, it seemed that the Jayhawks found ways to caulk each of the gaps. Kansas will now get to find out how good it is at patchwork as it prepares for conference play.
Kansas (2-1) did what it could facing an overmatched Division I-AA opponent. Allen targeted senior quarterback Dylan Smith as one of his concerns for his below-average play during the first two games. But Smith threw three touchdown passes and was relieved in the fourth quarter because the game was going so smoothly. The punt team — a major headache for Kansas in its first two games — did not have any blunders.
Between the way Smith ran the offense more efficiently and how the defense kept forcing the Salukis to punt, the Jayhawks found some rhythm on Parents/Band Night. If there was one area Kansas did not get to work on, it would be crafting a long scoring drive. Thanks to turnovers and strong special-teams play, Kansas had scoring drives of 25, 2, 5 and 14 yards.
"We really did some good things early." Allen said. "Then Dylen came back and three touchdown passes. It's hard to argue with that."
smith is known for his dislike of cold, rainy weather like the conditions Saturday, but he played well after another slow Kansas start. After a sluggish first quarter, which included a couple of long passes that were dropped by Jayhawk receivers, Smith found Roger Ross for a 23-yard touchdown strike with 3:50 left in the first half. It came on the same type of over-the-middle pattern that Ross had dropped a pass on during the first quarter.
More information
Additional photos from the game.
See www.kansan.com
"I knew we could get it going." Ross said.
After all the struggles Kansas encountered, even the replay crew was caught off guard by the sudden Kansas success on Ross' touchdown catch. The MegaVision board, at first, showed the previous Smith pass attempt — an incomplete pass to Terminale Fulton — instead of the scoring one.
But the video crew got on track, and so did the Jayhawks' offense. Smith found Fulton 1:45 later on a 48-yard touchdown pass to make the score 14-0 at halftime. For Smith, it was a relief to finally get a lead.
"There were a couple dropped balls that I would have liked to have back," Smith said. "But I think my confidence got me through it."
For Kansas, this game was about confidence. The win, Allen figured, was in hand. So much so that he used all of practice last week to prep for this Saturday's game at Oklahoma and the beginning of Big 12 Conference play. Most of the players were unaware of the scheme until Allen confessed after the game.
"I've never done that before." Allen said about looking past an opponent. "Never."
The plan, which Allen called a "calculated risk," could have backfired. Instead, the Jawhawks can now focus on Oklahoma.
In Norman, Okla., Kansas will try to earn respect that Allen said the Jayhawks had neither received nor earned. Succeeding against a Division I-AA team might not have the Sooners shaking in their cleats.
Still, the Jayhawks put up the numbers it needed to convince themselves that they can compete in the upcoming weeks.
"I think Coach wanted to get us ready for Oklahoma," junior cornerback Andrew Davison said. "But we didn't show many of the plays we have ready. There will be some surprises."
terbacks see field time.
David Winbush celebrated his 21st birthday by leading the Jayhawks with 78 yards rushing on 15 carries and two touchdowns. The defense surrendered only 165 yards.
Allen was happy with the number of players who saw action. On offense alone, Kansas had 10 running backs and two backup quar-
Of course, doing it all without allowing a score was what the Jayhawks wanted Saturday.
"It was important for us to get that," Allen said.
The Bobby Douglass tribute on the bowl of Memorial Stadium was repaired. It had the second 's' that was missing from the surname at last week's game.
— Edited by Kimberly Thompson
Junior midfielder Melanie Schroeder drives down the field as sophomore midfielder Brianna Valento watches during the game against Oklahoma State at the Olathe District Activity Complex in Olathe. Schroeder connected with Valento in the 55th minute of the game yesterday, registering her team-leading sixth assist. Photo by Aaron Lindberg/KANSAN
'Hawks get weekend split
Despite injuries Kansas scores first conference victory
By Yositaka Ebisawa sports@kansan.com
Kansan sportwriter
One could be amazed at the obstacles the Kansas women's soccer team faced yesterday.
No Hilla Rantala, the program's single-season scoring record holder who was forced to the sidelines because of a knee injury. A loss of home field advantage because of the surface condition of SuperTarget Field. Heading into the game after the season's worst defeat — a 4-0 shutout loss to Oklahoma in Norman, Okla., Friday.
And now, two other key players — freshman forward Jennifer Ray, the Big 12 Conference's player of the week two weeks earlier, and sophomore midfielder Lindsay Hunting, who was awarded KU Credit Union Jayhawk Classic All-Tournament Team last week — sat on the bench
yesterday because of injuries.
But the Jayhawks demonstrated mental toughness registering their first conference win this season against Oklahoma State 1-0 at the Olathe District Activity Complex in Olathe.
"I was just happy because Friday's game was embarrassing," coach Mark Francis said. "I was glad that we were able to bounce."
After a scoreless first half, Kansas (5-5, 1-1 Big 12 Conference) opened the second half with increased intensity, attacking the Cowgirls' goal with 17 shots in the second half alone.
"I was pretty happy because I saw it going in but I wasn't sure if it was fully in the goal." Valento said. "So after it was called a goal, I was kind of surprised because everybody else said. 'No goal, no goal, no goal.'"
The effort paid off in the 55th minute, when sophomore midfielder Brianna Valento redirected junior midfielder Melanie Schroeder's corner kick. The ball barely crossed the goal line.
Sophomore goalkeeper Layla Young, with help of a solid back line, saved Kansas' one-goal lead and earned her third shutout this season.
Sports Columnist
thing except for the first half," Young said. "But it was OK. It was quite convincing."
"It was interesting. I didn't do any-
Friday's conference opener against Oklahoma matched the worst defeat for Kansas this season.
"We were absolutely horrendous," coach Mark Francis said. "There is not really much else I can say about it."
The Sooners, which headed into the game in the wake of a three-game winning streak, outshot the Jayhawks 17-7 and gave Kansas its second shutout loss this season.
If there was anything positive about the game, it was freshman goalkeeper Sarah Gonzalez' play.
"Sarah made a few nice saves," Francis said. "I don't think she can be faulted on any of the goals allowed tonight."
Gonzalez, an Overland Park native, made her first start as a Jayhawk and stopped four shots.
Kansas will continue its quest to make the Big 12 Conference Tournament this weekend, playing against Iowa State on Friday and Nebraska on Sunday. The site hasn't been decided yet.
Shawn Linenberger
— Edited by John Audelholm
sports@kansan.com
Sooners loom as potential turning point
The Kansas football team once again swished its mouth with the taste of victory Saturday night, slowly getting out that bitter taste of the Southern Methodist flasco.
And while the Jayhawks didn't exactly dazzle anyone through most of the first half against Division I-AA Southern Illinois, they did improve as the game progressed. Terry Allen said after the game that he used much of last week to prepare for next Saturday's opponent — Oklahoma.
Allen's game plan was good, especially because the Jayhawks take on the No. 14 Sooners on the road. Kansas has won its last three meetings with Oklahoma, but the last time the Jayhawks played a ranked Sooner team, it was 1995 and Kansas was ranked No. 7.
The SMU game was supposed to be huge, but this game against Oklahoma should be even bigger. Kansas can kill two problems with one game. A victory against Oklahoma would silence Allen's critics, at least for now, and end a hideous road swoon in the Big 12 Conference.
Kansas also was labeled the Big 12's dark horse by many, but after that season-opening loss, less people would expect this team to gallop out of Norman, Okla., with a win. And one Jayhawk could also have a large target on his jersey.
Cornerback Andrew Davison has proclaimed himself the best corner in the Big 12, and he'll give a chance to test that claim against a team that likes to pass.
The Sooners are no longer a traditional wishbone team. Oklahoma quarterback Josh Heupl completed 27 of 35 passes for 324 yards and two touchdowns against Rice Saturday. He also ran for a score.
Although Davison might be too confident as a cornerback, he wasn't satisfied with simply winning against a less-than stellar Alabama-Birmingham team, and that trait will be needed by many Jayhawks as the rugged Big 12 schedule progresses.
The Jayhawks have shown signs they could pull off an upset. Quarterback Dyck Smith has gotten protection when passing. When he has scrambled, he's found someone to pass to and he's run for gains when no one's open.
The Kansas defense, meanwhile, has become stronger. The Jayhawks allowed 165 total yards against the Salukis. More importantly, the Jayhawks allowed 43 passing yards.
But although Southern Illinois and Oklahoma have shades of red for school colors, the similarity ends there. As Allen's practice schedule indicated, the Salukis were part of preparation for a much stronger Sooner team.
Now is the time for Kansas to break the shackles of mediocrity and give people reason to discuss once again in which bowl the Jayhawks will be participating. Beating Oklahoma is a big task, but the Jayhawks need to win.
Kansas takes on rivals Kansas State and Missouri after Oklahoma, and Jayhawk faithful tend to frown upon not beating at least one of its most hated opponents.
A win Saturday would fill Allen and his team's mouths with even sweeter tastes, but a loss could be poison for the Kansas coach.
Linneberger in a Washington, Kan. senator in Journalism.
Volleyball team breezes by Cyclones on the road
Myatt's block helps 'Hawks win conference battle
By Sarah Warren sports@kansan.com Kansan sportswriter
The Kansas volleyball team had the top down, the music up and the wind in its hair as it took a Saturday night pleasure cruise though Cyclone country.
in the Big 12 Conference in Ames, Iowa.
"Even though we were on the road, I felt like we were in complete control all night," coach Ray Bechard said. "Overall, the win was a great team effort."
The Jayhawks easily took down Iowa State, 15-7, 15-6 and 15-11 and improved to 11-2, 2-2
Bechard said he was pleased with his team's performance, especially in serving — an area where Kansas had faltered during their loss to No. 1 Nebraska last Wednesday.
"We served the ball very well," Bechard said. "I was very pleased with our performance tonight."
Kansas scored. nine serving aces, including three from
"Even though we were on the road, I felt like we were
night." Ray Bechard
Kansas volleyball coach
sophomore defensive specialist Jamie Morningstar. Iowa State, which drops to 2-9 and 0-4 in conference, recorded only three aces.
"Iowa State's really young and they really have improved a lot." Bechard said. "They started out the season slowly and in this conference it's hard to make up ground."
Also defensively, Danielle Geronymo, senior middle blocker, dove to the floor 13 times while recording digs for the 'Hawks. Teammates Jennifer Kraft, sophomore defensive specialist, and senior outside hitter Nancy Bell pulled out 11 and 10 of their own.
"We had 58 digs to there 40," Bechard said. "I thought we really went after some balls and did a good job prolonging rallies — and we won those rallies."
Senior Amy Myatt, outside hitter and Iowa native, agreed.
Myatt's team-high stats were recorded in front of friends and family who drove in from her native Iowa City to watch the match.
On the offensive side of things. Myatt led the Jayhawks with 11 kills, while Cyclones' senior middle blocker Stacy Nicks led the opposition with 10 kills of her own.
"I always like to play in Ames because my family can easily drive in and watch," Myatt said. "But that's not unusual, we
"I thought we did a really good job defensively," Myatt said. "We blocked them better than I felt we had in a while."
In this case, however, the Myatt clan got a special treat as they watched her carry the Jayhawks to victory in a close third game.
"She ended the match with a block that won the final game for us," Bechard said. "So that was nice for her to do her last time competing in Iowa."
have a lot of parents that travel to our matches."
4.
Kansas heads to the Lone Star State for the second time this season for its next conference match. The Hawks will face the Baylor Bears at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in Waco, Texas.
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- Edited by Clay McCuistion
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