Sports Section
The University of Kansas—Lawrence, Kansas
85th Year, No. 1
Sports Section
Wednesday, August 21. 1974
Coach Baldwin Explains Veer to Michaels, Prince and McMichael
Veer T/ New Offense Helps Balance Running, Passing
By MIKE FITZGERALD Kansan Sports Reporter
When Kansas quarterback David Jaynes was graduated last spring, he took with him an offense that had been built especially for him and his style of play.
That offense was the pro-set, designed for it. In opposing coaches held their breaths. In opposing coaches held their breaths.
Now Jaymes is gone, and with him the pro-
fessors are on hand. Farnham was installed a new offence, that
The veer offense is a continuation of the old split-4 offense. In the backfield there are two split-backs and two wide receivers on each side, so that there is a balance between running and passing.
"Last year we were a passing team, and every time David Jaynes dropped back into the pocket, there wasn't a doubt in my mind that they were going to do," Fambrough said recently.
"This year we'll be out to fool 'em. We'll be using the play sheet and pass and roll on the field."
Farbaugh and his staff decided on the latter outline of consideration of the type of project he was proposing.
"I always felt that people aren't so set in
their ways that they don't take into consideration their personnel," he said. "It took David (Jaynes) nearly a year-and-a-half to adjust to the pro-set offense, but he adjusted to it well. The best is suited to our players."
The veer offense demands a special type of quarterback—one who both runs and passes. Fambridge said the quarterback should be able to run and throw well, but should be able to run and throw well.
Because the veer uses the option and play-
action pass, whose motion sweeps around
the ends, the running backs required by the veer don't need large size and power. Fambridge said he had no reason to deception. He said the team was designed for those two characteristics.
Changing an offense is a major change, and unless a team makes the change rapidly, a new offense can do more harm. The most important thing the Jahways were adjusting to it quickly.
Fambrough that although KU had changed offenses, the veer would not necessarily be a permanent fixture in KU football.
"We feel they are coming along with it," he said. "Our spring game was probably
"The veer is the most popular offense-
most teams are either using it or are in the
middle of a turn."
our worst day with it, but we're pleased with the progress. What's important here is that the players have confidence in the veer and like it."
"Offenses move in cycles. Coaches keep making changes in them and improving on old ones. Then the coaches adjust and shift to new rules, routines, down, and this requires another change."
Because the veer is an offense that allows various options, Fambridge said, there is a chance that a person may be hit.
"The deer sees coaches to death," he said. "There's variation and deception enough to hurt any defense. It gets right back to the quality of a team's personnel. If you block, tackle and do the fundamentals with anyone, then no one is going to beat you."
1974 Big 8: OU First, KU 3rd, KSU Last
Krattli Launches Pass During Spring Scrimmage
By MIKE FITZGERALD Kansan Sports Reporter
Last year was a year of surprises in Big Eight conference football for the University of Kansas. Early in the season the Jayhawks looked good on paper, but no one seemed to think that they would amount to anything.
As it turned out, KU tied Nebraska for second place in the Big Eight with a 4-2RUSH.
The biggest blow to this year's Kansas football program is the loss of David Jaynes. The All-American quarterback from Bonner Springs completed his eligibility at KU. He holds 17 school and six conference records.
The top candidate for the position of quarterback is Scott McMichael, a 6-foot-3, 187-pound junior from Shawne Mission. McMichael, like Jaynes, is a good passer; unlike Jaynes he is also an excellent ball carrier.
Fambrough has a couple of good quarterbacks in reserve, ready to take over Jaynes' position and run the new Houston Vee offense that KU has adopted.
This position, however, is practically the only position that needs a replacement. The defense is set. The 1973 Jayhawks were recognized as one of the country's outstanding defensive units. Eight starters and 10 other lettermen return from that sound.
Coach Don Fambrubish should be concerned with filling two holes in the defensive line left by the graduation of Don Goode, end, and Mitch Sutton, tackle. Defense has never been much of a problem for Fambrubish, and the holes should be adequately filled.
The biggest concern with McMichael and the other possible quarterback, Jud Mitchell, is that neither have had any Big Eight passing back, and lack of experience is the name of the game.
The main concern, then, should be that of rebuilding the denoted KU offense.
Here's one person's opinion on how the Big Eight will fare in the 1974 season:
The position of running back is also open. Only Robert Miller, fullback, has a substantial amount of experience. Look for a rookie that juggles or Larwine Smith to fill the holes.
First: Oklahoma. I'd pick Oklahoma without thinking twice about it. Last year, Oklahoma combined an awesome offense with the best defense in the Big Eight to make a team that have been the best in football history. This fall they could be better.
Coach Barry Switzer, who built last year's offensive machine, should have an even more powerful offense this season when 10 starters return. Kerry Jackson,
declared ineligible last fall, will return to win back his position at quarterback. Joe Washington, Wayman Clark, and Grant Burget return in the backfield.
The entire offensive line returns, including Tinker Owens, wide receiver, and two outstanding guards in John Roush and Terry Webb. And for all of you skeptics, Oklahoma's entire second offensive 11 also will be back.
The "Huskers" only concern should be pass defense; three of last year's secondary have graduated. Also, replacements for big center defense are needed. McMenroe, Steve Minstoff, defensively, are needed.
On defense, Oklahoma returns Rod Stute,
All-American linebacker, and Randy Hughes.
All Chicago Eight strong safety. Two of
the two picks go to the LeoRoy, who anchors the front line. This as well as the return of 10 of the 11 members of the second string defensive team makes
this a double victory.
Dave Humph, All-America candidate as quarterback for the Cornhuskers, returns to lead the offense for his final season. Also returning is Tony Davis, running back, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards last year and sophomore, and Dave Shamblin, split end.
Second: Nebraska. Nebraska should be picked again this year as a favorite for the second place finish, although they should counter some difficulty in winning the spot.
Third: Kansas. If the Jayhawks can hold the holes left by graduation, with a good struggle they should be able to win third place. The first two games could make a difference. KU plays its first game at Oklahoma State and the Nissau nosedeer. The crucial Big Eight games, against Oklahoma and Nebraska, are both in Lawrence this year.
Fourth: Missouri. Missouri's strong point has always been its defense. Last year the team lost to Notre Dame, and those defensive starters are returning. The linebackers are especially strong in Scott
On offense, quarterback Ray Smith returns, along with Ray Bybee, fullback, and Bli Ziegler, slotback. MU's weakness is a defensive line, where only two starters return.
Fifth: Colorado. As the Big Eight race quickens this fall, Colorado should be fighting hard to stay or break into the upper division. If they can break their jinx of losing the big game, they could easily finish fourth.
Eddie Crowder, last year's coach, is gone and Bill Mallory, his replacement, brings with him from Miami of Ohio a reputation as the nation's leader in total team defense.
The offense returns Clyde Crutchner and David Williams, quarterbacks, plus the Big Eight's freshman offensive player of the year, Billy Waddy, tailback. Also returning are David Logan, CU's top receiver at wingback, and Don Hasselback, tight end.
Sixth: Iowa State. The Cyclones came on strong last year at the end of the season to upset both Missouri and Oklahoma State. They season they're hoping for a continuation.
Iowa State looks strong on offense with two returning quarterbacks, Buddy Har-
Kansan Predictions
1. Oklahoma
2. Nebraska
3. Kansas
2. Kansas
5. Colorado
4. Missouri
6. Iowa State
7. Oklahoma State
The pass defense was the weakness of the Cyclones last year and probably will be next year because—for the second straight year—it needs rebuilding.
Seventh: Oklahoma State. Offense will be the Cowboy's strength, but defense will be stronger. The team steps in for the departed quarterback, Brent Blackman. Weatherbie will be backed by powerful George Palmer at fullback. All of them are as well as four of the five interior lineups.
8. Kansas State
deman and Wayne Stanley. A plus on offense is the return of Mike Strachan, running back, who rushed for 2,364 yards in his first two years.
Just four members of the defense return, however, and this will be the Cowboy's triumph.
Eighth: Kansas State. Last year, Vince Gibson's Wildcats ended up 2nd, tied for last. The Wildcats were also last in total defense with 15 points, but they still believe, but things could be worse this year.
K-State returns seven starters. Period.
Three on offense and four on defense.
They've lost Issac Jackson, Henry Childs
and the entire offensive line. Only Steve
Grogan, veteran quarterback, returns to
give the Wildcats any hope at all.
1973 Most Exciting for Fambrough
By CLARK CASE
Kansan Sports Reporter
Fambrough played football for both Texas University, at Austin, and the University of Kansas. He played in the East Wing in a charge Bowl and the East-West Shrine game.
Fambrough has coached football teams that have played in the Blue Bonnet Bowl, the Orange Bowl and the Liberty Bowl. He was named in last year's East-West Shrine game.
Whether coaching or competing, excellence in football has always been standard for Don Fambrough, head football coach.
He was freshman coach and offensive line coach for 20 years at KU, under head coaches J. V. Sykes, Jack Mitchell and Pepper Rodgers.
Football has always been Fambrough's main interest. "I never knew anything else except that in the fall of the year it was time to put on the pads."
Fambrough said that although there had been a lot of thrills and disappointments in his career, he thought last year was the most exciting season he had ever had.
Although the football team faces some problems this year, Fambrigha said he thought the team would have a very good season.
"I think that this year our strength will be in defense," he said.
Fambrough said the team would use an entirely new offense this year and would lack experience in the quarterback position. The biggest problem the offense has is that it does not have the depth in numbers of each position that the defense has, he said.
"If some of our young players can give us the depth in offense that we need," he said, smiling.
Fambrough said KU had not produced consistently good football teams.
"Our problem is that we are up and then we are down," he said. "Teams that compete in the Big 8 can have no problems. We have to recruit a good team every year."
Each assistant coach is assigned to a certain area, Fambrough said, and he personally visits the family of each player that KU wishes to sign.
Oklahoma University probably has the best team in the nation, Fambrigh said.
"We have a long way to go before we can hope to effectively compete against them," he said. "The defense is built up, but the offense needs a lot of work."
"I am more offensive-minded because most of my experience has been with-offense," Fambrough said. "When you are head coach thought, you have to think of the overall picture." "You can not win without a strong defense."
Fambrough said he thought that having experience as a player was very important.
"If you haven't been to it yourself,
you don't know what these kids are going
In 1934 Fambrigh was graduated from Longview High School in Texas, and spent two years playing football at Texas University. He went into military service, and served as a cadet in KU. KU All-American football player. Fambrigh played offensive guard and
defensive middle-line backer during the 1946-47 season at KU.
In 1948 Bromham became freshman coach. After six years at KU, he became a coach at East Texas State University, at Commerce. He spent three years there.
After one year of coaching at Wichita State University, Jack Mitchell asked Farnbrough to return to KU as freshman coach. The next year Farnbrough became offensive line coach. He remained offensive line coach until 1971, when he became head coach.
"I think the dream of most coaches is to coach at their alma mater," he said recently. I feel very fortunate to be able to coach at my own school."
Kansan Photo
Fambrough Isn't Quite Satisfied with a Call