Special Edition
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
No.1
The University of Kansas—Lawrence, Kansas
Sports 1
Wednesday, August 20, 1975
Question marks abound for '75 Javhawks
Photo by DAVE REGIER
Laverne Smith sweeps end for tough yards against Oklahoma
BY YAEL ABOUHALKAH
Sports Editor
Sports Editor
When slogn writers for last year's University of Kansas football team penned, "There's more In store in '74." little did they know how protable that would be.
After KU suffered a season-ending six straight losses, boos from hometown fans and a dismal 4-7 record, the "morde"-B Moore was hired as head coach Dec. 17.
Last fall's Jayhawks, fresh from 1973's surprising 7-4-1 Liberty Boy year, had begun with hopes of another banner season. The team began to a nightmare for KU players and fans.
THIS SEASON MAY not be much better. Moore, 35, replaces Don Fambrough, who's now promotions director for the athletic department.
The new coach begins the rebuilding of KU's football program after serving the past three seasons as an offensive guard under the legendary Paul "Bear" Bryant.
It's no secret that Moore and his 11-member staff (including nine new coaches) are going to find the goinng to tough in the football-rib Bier Eight conference.
"We're going to take this one step at a time," he said. "If you try to skip some we're going to end up with leaks in your system." He added, "you're going to have a winner—I can't do that."
Moore refuted talk of giving up on this year and building for the distant future.
A winning season would be nice. But it's going to be difficult to attain. Moore admitted as much when he talked about his biggest worry this fall.
"Depth—no doubt about it," he said. "We're going to be searching for the right people at the right positions. But right now, we have enough depth to do things as I'd like."
MOORE ACKNOWLEDGED that spring training, with 25 injuries wiping out
Jayhawks at one point or another, was next to useless for purposes of evaluation.
That means he enters full practice with some important questions unanswered.
"It's very difficult to tell," he said. "We're going to be looking and searching who has the ability to play football for us and going to be a wide open first few weeks."
Defense
Scanning the defensive lineage is enough to give Moore a slight headache. He has to replace five starters, including both linebackers in KU's retained 2-4 defense.
That's bad news for someone like Moore, who said, "Your defense is only as good as your linebacking." Under this assumption, you are going to be in some hot water this year.
Defensive players such as Steve Towle, Dean Zook, Fedro Dillon and Mike Lemon graduated. That leaves some gaping holes to fill. But Moore realizes Kansas is going to have to dip into the ranks of the untested to compete this year.
"You've heard this before, that defense wins ball games," Moore said. "Well, I believe that whistlebritically You can score on defense. But if your defense cracks, you’ve had it."
On the surface, there appear to be many "cracks" in KU'S youthful defense. On the other hand, maybe that's what Jayhawk coaches need—quick, inexperienced linemen to mold into Big 8 caliber defensive players.
LINEBACKER-At this all-important spot, KU is wooily weak.
Along those lines, the coaches will be carefully looking at seniors KR Victor and Shane.
"We've got to find some winning
laws," he said. "If we were
young and hurry, we'll do it."
Don Pite; and sophomores Jim Young and Jim Lob.
DEFENSIVE END- Here's another area of doubt for the Jayhawks. Les Barnes is a sure starter, but only if he can recover from a ruptured disc. The next best are sophomore Tom Dinkel, impressive in spring workouts, and junior Steve Jones.
Of that bunch, Beeson, Pile and Kovatch appear to have the inside track at the jobs. Beeson broke a leg slipping on ice and missed spring football, while Pile is recovering from an injured leg. Moore was incident they'll be back at full speed in the
Of the latter two, Moore cautioned,
"They're good enough to play, yes. But
they both got to get quicker on their
feet."
DEFENSIVE TACKLE--Junior Mike Butler has sewed up one side, but the other is Paul Van Saun's only if the senior can shake a nagging leg injury.
"I feel good about this spot," Moore contended. "Mike has really good physical ability. Again, though, consistency is needed. That's what's so notable about Van Saum. He has the consistency we're looking for in a player."
NOSGEUARD-With injury-riddled senior John Scanlan passing up this year, sophomore James Emerson looms as the best bet as KU's next nosedeer.
Emerson has shed almost 40 of his 300 pounds in working to gain the spot.
"Emerson paid a heckuva price in the spring," Moore said. "He needs to be strong and accomplished. But that's going to come with experience. He's a good, football player."
DEFENSIVE BACKS - The situation is so rich here that position changes claiming two backfield starters may not be noticed.
Two-year starter junior Nolan Cromwell and senior speedster Eddie Lewis may be
See QUESTIONS page 2
Kurt Knoff Strong Safety
Scott McCamy Quarterback
Mike Butler Defensive tackle
Scott McMichael Quarterback
Jim Emerson Noseguard
Inside features . . .
Running back analysis . . . . . . . 2
Freshman overview . . . . . . . 4
Big 8 season preview . . . . . . 5
KU football roster . . . . . . 6
Gymnastics preview . . . . . . 8
Swimming preview . . . . . . 9
Basketball preview . . . . . . 10-11
KU quarterback position muddled
By ALLEN QUAKENBUSH
Associate Sports Editor
Bud Moore has one concern any football coach would be happy to be without.
Entering his first year as coach of the Jayawks, Moore doesn't know who the KU team is.
Not that he doesn't have plenty of prospects. No less than five candidates are currently batting for the job. Moore is confident that he isn't happy with the situation.
"This is one of our biggest concerns," Moore said. "We have to have someone step in and give us the execution and leadership skills we need." He also says he will have a difficult time being successful."
THE FACT THAT MOORE doesn't know what offense the Jayhawks are going to run compounds the problem. Moore would like to run the wishbone, but it remains to be seen whether KU has the personnel for that offense. If that falls through, Kansas will likely switch to the slot-I, or possibly back to last year's Vee-T.
The five candidates for the quarterback position are Scott McMichael, Nolan Cromwell, Scott McCamy, Tom Krattll and Mike Loyd.
Cromwell
Cromwell, a 6-2, 190 pound junior, was moved to quarterback from his safety position when none of the others distinguished himself in spring drills. Cromwell will the washhole his senior year in high school at Ransom, and he's anxious to give it another try. Moore is equally anxious to give him the opportunity.
"We're going to take a look at Nolan," more said. "Certainly he has the ability to move."
"He's an exceptional athlete who is highly intelligent and learns rapidly. I thought he looked good working there in the spring, brief as it was."
Cromwell worked at the quarterback position in the last week of spring practice. And, according to quarterback coach Gary Rutledge, he showed reason for optimism.
THEERE IS SOME CONCERN that Cromwell, who hasn't played quarterback since high school, might not be a very good player. He's said that was a secondary concern.
"He was good with his footwork," he wilted said, and "he's a real good runner. He wished to washboat quarterback, you have to be strong and a good runner. Nolan fits the bill."
Cromwell's chances probably hinge on whether KU runs the wishbone. If Moore decides not to run that offense, Cromwell will probably be moved back to safety.
"We'd like for him to throw pretty well," he said, "but the big thing is that he has to be a good cook."
Last year's starting quarterback, Scott McMichael, is still very much in the picture. Last season, McMichael replaced Dave Jaynes as the top sophomore passing quarterback in KU history when he threw for 1,044 yards. That figure made him one of only five KU players to throw for more than 1,000 yards in a season, and it placed him seventh on the all-time KU passing list. He
McMichael
finished second in the Big Eight in passing and was fifth in total offense.
McMichael's big problem seems to be his "susceptibility to injuries. Last season, he suffered a bruised hand and a concussion before tearing up his knee in the final game, he was hospitalized. That injury, plus an injured hand, hampered him for most of spring drills.
"TOHUGHT HE HAD a real good spring practice," Rutledge said. "As good as he could have consider his injuries. He was strong enough to hurt himself, but he couldn't run as well as he hoped."
McCamv
In the Spring game, he completed 2 of 2 passes for 37 yards and rushed for another 32 yards on eight carries. He showed good poise in leading the new wishbone offense, and was particularly impressive in directing a 94-yard touchdown drive.
Scott McCamy, a little-known, 6-20, 305 pound junior, emerged from spring drills as the number one quarterback. His last game action at quarterback was with the freshman in the first year, he rushed for 88 yards in 30 carries and completed five passes for 62 yards.
"He did a real good job this spring." Rutledge said. "He had the best Spring game of anybody, and he showed more improvement than anybody.
"He's a good passer and a real good defender, but his offense just seems to fit his personality."
Junior Torn Kratkill and sophomore Mike Loye are also candidates for the starting block.
Krattli
KRATTILE PLAYED QUITE a bit last year when McMichael was hurt. He finished the year with seven completions in 21 attempts for 125 yards. In the Spring game, he completed three of eight passes for 36 yards.
Loyd
Loyd, a 64, 210 pound sophomore, quarterbacked the junior varsity last season. He passed for 602 yards in four games with 42 completions in 102 attempts, and added another 108 yards on the ground for an impressive total of 710 yards total offense.
"Those two guys are in the running too,"
"Rutledge stressed. "Don't count them out."
Freshmen
"We've also got some freshmen who might help us out or we get several who want to work with them."
The type of offense KU uses will probably have as much to do with Moore's final decision on the quarterback situation as anything. Cromwell and McCann seem to be the best suited for the whitbone because of their running ability. McMichael and according to Moore, passers of the group, according to Moore, and Krattil is better at running the Year-T-
"THE QUARTERBACK SPOT is still wide open," Rutledge告了. "We're going to have some scrimmages to decide who can right now, everybody is still in the running."
Needless to say, somebody must step forward quickly and claim the job. If not, as Moore admits, KU could have a tough time this season.
Staff photo by DAVE CRENSHAW
Cromwell (9) sheds safety duties in fall