WEDNESDAY, OCT. 3, 2001
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN - 5B
SPORTS
Improved Simms to meet Sooners
The Associated Press
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas quarterback Chris Simms didn't get in the game against Oklahoma last year until the score was already 28-0.
His third pass was intercepted by linebacker Rocky Calmus and returned 41 yards for yet another touchdown, putting the Sooners ahead 35-0 as they stomped their way to a 63-14 victory.
"I added to the butt-kicking," Simms said.
He can make little jokes about it now as No. 5 Texas (4-0, 1-0 Big 12) prepares to meet No. 3 Oklahoma (4-0, 1-0) again Saturday. None of it seemed very funny then.
"We were just in shock. We didn't know what to think, what to say, didn't even know what happened," Simms said.
"It was unbelievable. It was so out of my control, just sitting there watching the game," Simms recalled. "We couldn't stop 'em, and we couldn't get anything going."
He went in the game thinking. "OK, we'll just go down there and get a little drive going." And then he threw the interception when Calmus fooled him into throwing the wrong way.
"He schooled me. He really did," Simms said.
Simms has learned a lot since then. And the critics who believe Major Applewhite should be the Longhorn*
starter are shrinking in number.
Simms finally got to open things up two
Brown named Simms his starter in the spring, but limited what he could do early this season. Simms spent most of the first two games handing off or throwing short routes to receivers.
weeks ago in a win against Houston. After a few misfires in the first half, he finished with his first 300-yard passing game of the season and tossed three TDs.
He was even better last week in a 42-7 victory over Texas Tech, completing 21 of 26 passes for 224 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for two scores.
Even Oklahoma coaches note how much Simms has improved.
"I think he's 10 times the player he was at this point last year," said Sooners co-defensive coordinator Mike Stoops. "That just comes from playing. You can see the improvement game in and game out."
Simms didn't expect any kind words from the Sooners. He'd been used to hearing much worse.
"Wow! He said that?" Simms said "I'm shocked. That just made my day."
Cyclones threaten 'Huskers
The Associated Press
LINCOLN, Neb. — Three things about Iowa State stand out to Nebraska football coach Frank Solich when he looks at the new and improved Cyclones.
"They're undefeated. They're scoring points and they're stopping people from scoring points. Those three things are pretty big in my thinking." Sollich said yesterday.
Sollich thinks the Cyclones (3-0) may be the best team the fourth-ranked Cornhuskers (5-0) will have faced so far. In past years that might have been a stretch, but this time Iowa State may be better than the 'Huskers' previous opponents.
Only Rice (3-1) and TCU (3-2) have winning records among the 'Huskers' first five opponents, who are a combined 8-10. Nebraska beat Missouri 36-3 on Saturday, when the 'Huskers stalled early and trailed 3-0 at the end of the first quarter.
"That's going to happen from time to time. We'll try to get off to a faster start," Solich said. "Whether or not that will happen or not I don't know. Iowa State will have a lot to say about that."
It's odd to hear Iowa State considered a threat to Nebraska. The 'Huskers are 79-14-2 in the series and have won the last eight, including a 49-27 win last year in Ames.
But Solich said Iowa State had improved steadily under coach Dan McCarney and that they deserved a lot of respect.
The Cyclones, who shut out Baylor 41-0 on Saturday, are 3-0 for the third straight season and are keeping opponents to 9.3 points per game.
"They're playing at the top of their game." Solich said.
They're also facing a Nebraska team that has gotten better each week. The 'Huskers gained 412 rushing yards against Missouri and increased their average to 275 yards per game, second best in the country.
Solich thinks it can get even better if the 'Huskers can get some more consistency from their backfield. Nearly a fourth of the yards against Missouri came on quarterback Eric Crouch's 95-yard touchdown run.
Although I back Dahrran Diedrick leads the team in touchdowns (seven) and rushing yards (470), he has not shown breakaway ability or speed. His longest run of the season is 38 yards.
Big salaries don't assure teams of Stanley Cup win
The Associated Press
The Stanley Cup can't be bought — at least not vet.
Commissioner Gary Bettman wants to keep it that way, despite what he sees as a worrisome trend of increasingly big contracts being given to more players by more teams.
players by more teams.
"I don't understand the Alexei Yashin ($90 million, 10-year) contract. I don't understand going out 10 years. But it's not my team and not my money." Bettman said Monday. "But, while they may have increased the payroll dramatically, it's put them (the Islanders) in the realm of the average payroll."
He added, "Just because you spend money, it doesn't get you the results. There are plenty of teams in the top third (in spending) that don't get exactly what they want. There isn't quite the correlation there is in other sports between what you spend and how your team performs."
The New Jersey Devils won the cup in 2000 with a midlevel payroll, he said. The Colorado
Availance's payroll didn't soar until after they won the cup in June and paid more than $100 million to resign stars Joe Sakic, Rob Blake and Patrick Roy.
"The bulk of the clubs are trying to operate within their means."
Bettman said on a conference call. "There are a handful of clubs that either have greater means or are operating beyond their means.
"If there's something that is throwing the system out of whack — and it's something we're watching closely — it will be dealt with."
However, any attempt at what Bettman calls "cost containment" won't come until 2004 at the earliest, after the league's labor contract expires.
Bettman said maintaining competitive balance is one of his biggest concerns.
"I am focused on the disparity that appears to be developing and, long term, that can be a troublesome trend," he said. "If the trend continues, it will be something we have to address. In the short term, it has not yet led to a competitive imbalance; four of six Canadian clubs made the playoffs last year despite the currency issues they have to deal with."
With the NHL set to begin its new season today, Bettman also said:
—Defenseman Bryan Berard, nearly blinded when struck by a stick almost two years ago, can play for the New York Rangers because he now meets the NHL's minimum vision standards.
- For the first time in three years, the NHL will start a season without a team in serious financial straits - such as two years ago, when the Penguins were in bankruptcy - and with most of its stars under contract.
The NHL All-Star game won't conflict with the Super Bowl, even if the NFL moves its championship game to Sunday, Feb. 3. Unlike the past couple of years, when the NHL All-Star game was played on Sunday, the game is set for Saturday, Feb. 2 in Los Angeles.
"We think this will be a great weekend for TV," he said. "If the NFL does it, so much the better."
Deadlines for Homecoming Banner, Float, and Decorated Vehicles entries have been extended to October 5, 2001 at 4:30pm.
Homecoming October 8-13
A mandatory information meeting for those who have not yet attended an information meeting will be held Friday, October 5th at 4:30pm in Alderson Auditorium.
Pick up your Homecoming Packet today at the SUA Office, O&L Center (both on level 4, Kansas Union) or Dean of Students Office (133 Strong Hall).
It's not too late!
Find out how your group can get involved in Homecoming 2001
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Pre-Law Forum
Come meet with representatives from top regional and national law schools!
Monday, October 8,2001 10:00 AM-3:00 PM
Main Lobby, 4th Floor Kansas Union
Sponsored by the KU Pre-Law Society
www.statravel.com
The University of Kansas School of Fine Arts Lied Center Series presents
Thunderbird Theatre in
Thursday, October 4, 2001
7:30 p.m.
The Lied Center of Kansas
Ever wonder where past and future traditions collide? Find out at the Lied Center when it presents a NEW PLAY by award-winning Oneida playwright Bruce King.
With tickets HALF-PRICE for KU Students, the Lied Center makes a GREAT date-night!
Tickets on sale at the Lied Center Box Office (785) 864-ARTS and
vig our website lied.ku.edu
ticketmaster
(816) 931-3330
(785) 234-4545