Section B · Page 8
The University Daily Kansan
Big 12 Football
Monday, August 21, 2000
Football team battles rain in practice
Kansas quarterback Dylen Smith cocks his arm for a downfield throw during a scrimmage held Saturday at Memorial Stadium. The Jayhawks open season play Sept. 2 at Southern Methodist University. Photo by Christina Neff/KANSAN
By Jason Franchuk sports@kanson.com Kansan swordwriter
The more things have changed at Memorial Stadium, the more things have stayed the same for the Jayhawks.
The latest addition to the field, a new AstroPlay surface, held up nicely in Saturday's Kansas football scrimmage. Coach Terry Allen was pleased with the field's playability, despite rain showers that could have postponed the team's first full-contact practice heading into its first game against Southern Methodist. The dreary day contained several small storms, but Allen continued the approximately 75-play scrimmage.
"It was very wet," Allen said. "But (the field) was excellent when it got wet."
The field was fine. Since KU switched from its ragged Astroturf, the team has given rave reviews to the new surface. It is like turf, but has a grassy texture that makes landing on it softer. There were concerns how players would keep their footing during inclement weather, but for now, those worries are moot.
One part of the game remains constant with bad weather, though.
"When the ball gets wet, it's tough to handle." Allen said.
Jayhawk starting quarterback Dylan Smith was just as tough to handle, at least for the first-team defense. Smith led his team on a 75-yard touchdown drive to begin the scrimmage, capped by a 25-yard touchdown pass to Termaine Fulton. Smith looked smooth during the drill, easily connecting with receivers, especially on timing patterns which required receivers to go over the middle.
"he was a little rough around the edges," Allen said.
Smith performed well considering most of his receiving corps did not play. Byron Gasaway is still nursing a bad ankle and Harrison Hill suffered from dehydration.
Redshirt freshman Daniel Coke had 6 yards on 11 carries to lead all runners, as Allen was quick to play everyone.
There is still plenty to work on before heading to Dallas in two weeks for the season opener, but for now Allen is pleased with at least one aspect of his team.
"We avoided all major injuries, which is always a plus." Allen said.
The Kansas football team might be California dreamin'.
Briefly...
Because a game fell through between Missouri and UCLA, the Jayhawks are now trying to line themselves up to play the Bruins next year at Memorial Stadium. The Los Angeles Times reported Friday that the game is all but a lock, but no con
firmation came from KU.
Missouri was supposed to play a home and away series against the Bruins starting in 2001 but backed out after fearing that next year's schedule would be too difficult
Kansas last played UCLA in the 1995 Aloha Bowl, which Kansas won.
- Edited by Clay McCuistion
Big 12 Conference prepares for new season, challenges
By Jason Franchuk
sports@kanson.com
Kansas sportwriter
Here are some notes from
Here are some notes from around the Big 12 Conference, at a time when every team is still optimistic. Each team is older and wiser, but also bringing in a group of promising freshmen. And all plan on taking it one game at a time.
Proof that all Big 12 schedules are not equal: Colorado opens with Colorado State, Southern California and Washington. Kansas State finally plays a decent non-conference game, in Kansas
City, Mo. against the Big Ten's Iowa. Then don't forget to ice K-State's
other three non-Big 12 opponents: Louisiana Tech, Ball State and North Texas.
Woody Hayes, the legendary Ohio State coach, once said he hated quarterback controversies because it meant neither option was that good. What that bodes for
Texas, Texas A&M, Colorado and Baylor, we'll soon find out. Each school has at least two quarterbacks vying for the starting job, including three candidates at A&M. The Aggies, Buffaloes and no-news Bears may have nothing to worry about, regardless of who is picked. Watch Texas, where incumbent Major Applewhite and sophomore Chris Simms will duel. Applewhite has proven he can win, but after going 9-5 last year, perhaps the nod will go to the prodigal
son — Simms is the son of former NFL quarterback Phil Simms — who has too much talent to simply stand on the sidelines.
Nebraska coach Frank Solich will not be subscribing to many college football magazines this year. He dislikes the hype being placed on his Cornhuskers. Almost every publication has the Lincoln Logs rolling to a national title.
"I don't like to listen or read that stuff," Solich said. "Because I don't think we're that good yet. We have the potential to be, but it's a matter if our defense can carry us like they did last year."
Personality award: Most of the
Big 12 coaches could be confused for R2D2 or C3PO — very robotic. But not Kansas coach Terry Allen or Texas' Mack Brown. Each
brought humor and spunk to the annual Big 12 Media Day.
Allen was especially perky when the Jayhawks opened media day festivities at 9 a.m. He started by
welcoming visiting media to Kansas City and then wished Missouri coach Larry Smith a speedy recovery.
Smith was in the hospital suffering from heart problems.
"Let's be on the ball." Allen said. "And not forget what's important." Brown told a story of how recruiting is different than marriage.
"Recruiting is like marrying the girl after one date," he said.
- Edited by Clay McCusition
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