PAGE 8C
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
FOOTBALL
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Fan Appreciation Day brings out Kansas faithful
DAN HARMSEN
@UDK_Dan
DAN HARMSEN/KANSAN
Kansas mascot Baby Jay hangs out with a young fan at Fan Appreciation Day on Saturday. Fans were able to catch a glimpse of the football team.
On a warm, sun-splashed Saturday afternoon, just three weeks before opening kickoff, the Kansas football team took the field for practice at Memorial Stadium in front of some of its most loyal fans. Fan Appreciation Day 2014 on Saturday marked the final opportunity for fans to catch a glimpse of this year's team before the start of the season, and many took full advantage.
Among them was 4-year-old Liam Hoff, joined by his father, Brad Hoff, from Topeka.
Coach's Corner season ticket holders for the past three years, the Hoffs haven't seen many Kansas victories — just six to be exact. But the Hoffs are not discouraged and instead are excited by the team's talent this year. Especially a certain mainstay on the offense.
Tony Pierson, the senior running back and wide receiver from East St. Louis will be playing his fourth and final season for the Jayhawks. And Liam is correct: Pierson is fast.
"Tony!" Liam said when asked who his favorite lavkawk was. "He's fast."
"Tony is faster than (NFL player) Dexter (McCluster) by a significant, significant margin." Coach Charlie Weis said in April 2013. "Tony's in that 4.3 (40-yard-dash) range where Dexter is that 4.5 guy. Two-tenths, that's significant."
scanning the field for his hero. "Oh, there he is! Tony!"
This year, Pierson will serve
As tough as things have been for Jayhawk enthusiasts lately. Pierson has been a bright spot. Always a threat to take it the distance, Pierson has averaged over 5.6 yards per carry in each of the past three seasons, including a 6.8 average last year before his head injuries flared up.
"We're hopeful. We believe they are going to do all right."
"Where is he?" Liam aske
BRAD HOFF Kansas football fan
mostly as a receiver, where he transitioned nicely last fall. His potential, illustrated best by his 77-yard touchdown reception against the Rice Owls on September 14, gives fans, young and old, hope.
After the practice, the Hoffs and the rest of the Jayhawk fans met their favorite
players for a few words and autographs. Liam met Tony and got a picture with him.
"We're hopeful," Brad Hoff, a Public Administration alum from the University of Kansas, said of the 2014 Jayhawks. "We believe they are going to do all right."
— Edited by Paige Lytle
QUICK STATS:
TONY PIERSON
Average of 5.6 yards per carry (6.8 average last year)
4. 3 yards per second in 40-yard dash
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White transfers to Nebraska after limited playing time
CONNOR OBERKROM
DAN HARMSEN
sports@kansan.com
Former Kansas shooting guard Andrew White III has announced his plans to transfer to Nebraska.
White will have to sit out one season and then will receive two years of eligibility. Once a coveted top-50 recruit, White saw his playing time diminish last season with the likes of Brannen Greene and Conner Frankamp coming off the bench.
Playing 25 games his freshman year, White saw just 18 games his sophomore and failed to crack the regular rotation. He averaged just 2.4 points in 6.3 minutes last year for Kansas. White tallied 43 total games and 100 points in his two-year career at Kansas. His career high in points came against Belmont in his first year in which he amassed 15 points. A threat from long-range, most of White's points came from beyond the arc.
White's biggest moment likely came in his first season with the Jayhawks when White came in for Elijah Johnson against Oklahoma State in the second half. White provided six points, notching one 3-pointer and a few free throws down the stretch of a tight game when Marcus Smart eventually upset the Jayhawks at Allen Fieldhouse.
In a statement released by the school in May, White summed up his reasoning why he decided to cut ties with the school. "I spoke with
my family and the coaches several times throughout the spring and after the season ended, discussing what my expected role would be on the team." White said in the release. "Coach Self told me it would be questionable to break into the rotation. My family and I decided it would be the best choice to move on and explore other school options."
The 6-foot-6 wing chose the Cornhuskers over Maryland and Notre Dame.
White leaves a program that is well established as one of the best in the country and joins another that is trying to get its footing. Last season, the Cornhuskers made the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1998, and now with White, and juniors Terran Petteway and Shavon Shields returning, Nebraska will look for its first regular season championship since 1950.
Edited by Paige Lytle
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