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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2014
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
FOOTBALL
FILE PHOTO/KANSAN
Then-juniors, nickelback Victor Simmons and linebacker Ben Heeney celebrate in the end zone after Heeney returned an interception for a touchdown against West Virginia on Nov. 16, 2013, in Lawrence.
Defense confident in seniors' experience
STELLA LIANG
@stelly_liang
There is a new sense of optimism and urgency surrounding the Kansas defense.
There is optimism the whole unit will improve from last year. Last year's defense gave up 382 points, or 31.8 points per game and 432.6 yards per game, which ranked among the Big 12's worst.
"It's all or nothing right now," senior linebacker Ben Heeney said. "This is my last opportunity to leave an impact on this program."
Heeney, who was named to the 2014 Preseason All-Big 12 team, is one of nine returning defensive starters. His fellow seniors include cornerbacks jaCorey Shepherd and Dexter McDonald, who were All-Big 12 Honorable Mentions at the end of last season.
The urgency comes from the pressure to break through and finally succeed in the last season for many of the key players.
"I can tell, it's night and day compared to previous
As with many experienced teams at the beginning of the season, Heeney said the coaching staff has preached the importance of leadership.
years," Heeney said. "Like I said, the leadership that we have with all the seniors and upperclassmen on this team is just a lot better."
Most of the experience comes in the secondary and linebacking core. Coach Charlie Weis has said the defensive line is the biggest concern because of the relative inexperience of that group. However, senior Keon Stowers, one of last season's captains, will anchor the line at nose tackle.
"Like I said, the leadership that we have with all the seniors and upperclassmen on this team is just a lot better."
BEN HEENEY
Senior linebacker
Another point of experience for the jayhawks is the return of their junior-college transfers. Weis made his mark on the team in the past two seasons by bringing in a capable group of JUCO transfers.
"After we got in the program, we knew there would be risk-
reward when we went with a high volume of junior college players the next year," Weis said. "But because we did that, even with the guys that aren't here anymore, the foundation of our team has all played."
One of those junior-college transfers ready for his second year is senior safety Cassius Sendish. He was a highly touted signee last year, and is now considered a leader in the secondary.
"The comfort level has definitely improved," Sendish said. "Anybody would say a year in the system is good under their belt. Just knowing what the coaches are expecting, what type of things we're trying to accomplish in the defense we're running, it feels good."
The Jayhawks return their top three tacklers. Heeney recorded 88, junior safety Isaiah Johnson had 73 and Sendish had 68. It will be the last time for many of these players to be successful together.
"If we don't succeed now, we're not really going to." Heeney said. "I think we have a lot more pressure."
Edited by Casey Hutching
BULLFIGHTING
Protester hospitalized during hunger strike
ASSOCIATED PRESS
BOGOTA, Colombia — Two years after Bogota's leftist mayor suspended bullfights at the capital's history-steeped bullring, a clutch of apprentice matadors is pressing for their reinstalment with a hunger strike.
The two-week-old protest outside the classically styled arena, La Santamaria Plaza, comes as the country's Constitutional Court is expected to rule on a legal attempt to force Mayor Gustavo Petro to allow the blood sport to resume in the city-owned venue.
One of the eight novices, weakened from the liquid-only diet, had to be hospitalized last week, said a
comrade, 19-year-old Diego Torres. Torres said late Sunday that he and another hunger striker also might need to be hospitalized shortly. But that would not halt the strike, he said.
anti-corruption senator, Petro annulled the contract of the Corporacion Taurina de Bogota, which organizes bullfights, after the January-February 2012 season. The company says it has the right to hold bullfights there at least through March 2015.
Soon after his election in late 2011, Petro announced that La Santamaria would no longer host the ceremonious slaughter of bulls but be devoted exclusively to non-violent entertainment. It has long served as a concert and theater venue.
"The man has marginalized us," complained Torres. "Here, everyone looks at us like we're the scum of the earth." The apprentices have also lost income. Each earns a bit more than $330 per fight.
Few countries remain bullfighting-friendly. It remains popular in Spain, though it is no longer televised there, while the Spanish region of Catalonia banned it and neighboring Portugal only allows bloodless fights.
In the Americas, traditional bullfights remain seasonal fare in Mexico, Venezuela, Peru and Colombia Ecuador banned them in May 2011 only permitting the nonfatal variety.
A former leftist rebel and
SOCCER
Strong returning starters jumpstart season success
LIZ KUHLMANN
@LizKuhmannUDK
With a 3-0 victory against South Dakota State last week, the women's soccer team has already displayed its desire for success this year.
The group certainly has the ingredients: a strong returning core, a head coach three games away from his 200th career win and a prediction from the coaches poll that the team will finish sixth in the league.
The Jayhawks will return close to 70 percent of their scoring to the team with nine of 11 starters from last season, including the team's top four scorers: Liana Salazar, Jamie Fletcher, Ashley Williams and Courtney Dickerson.
Also returning to the team
are 16 letterwinners from last season. This experienced group will welcome eight freshmen, eager to make their mark in crimson and blue. The class will contribute two more international players in Lois Heuchan (Scotland) and Eli Mayr (Germany).
With this group, coach Mark Francis will likely earn the three victories he needs for his 200th win. Averaging around 11 wins a season as Kansas' coach, his 197 career wins take second place among current conference coaches. He has led the program to its 10th season being ranked among the top six teams in preseason voting.
Despite the expectation for conference play to be tough, the team has set its sights on
the Big 12 Championship tournament for the second consecutive year.
The team also has a new home this season at Rock Chalk Park, a new sports complex that is a major upgrade from its previous accommodations.
The program had waited 15 years for the new facility to be built, and the dream became a reality in spring. The complex will include state-of-the-art stadiums for softball, track and field and soccer.
The Jayhawks look to improve their record, as they will take the field for their first game at Rock Chalk Park on Aug. 22 at 7 p.m. against Wyoming University.
Edited by Madison Schultz
BEN LIPOWITZ/KANSAN
Jamie Fletcher, senior midfielder, dribbles around an Oklahoma player Nov. 1, 2013, in Kansas' last home game of the 2013-14 season. Kansas won 2-1. The 2014-15 season kicks off Aug. 22 against Wyoming.
BEN LIPOWITZ/KANSAN
Liana Salazar, junior midfielder, dribbles in front of two Oklahoma players Nov.1, 2013, in Kansas' last home game of the 2013-14 season. Kansas won 2-1.
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