WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2002
FOOTBALL
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 5P
Poll says Nebraskans still like coach
The Associated Press
LINCOLN, Neb. — A poll taken around the Nebraska football team's rousing, come-from-behind win over Texas A&M indicated that coach Frank Solich's supporters outnumber his critics in the state.
The results of a statewide poll released yesterday indicate that 53 percent of Nebraskans approve of how Solich is handling his job as the Huskers' head coach.
Photo courtesy the Daily Nebraskan
Twenty-one percent of the 604 people surveyed said they disapproved of Solich's job performance.
Twenty-six percent had no opinion.
The telephone survey was conducted Oct. 23 through Monday by Midwest Survey and Research of Omaha, a public opinion research company.
The margin of error was plus or minus 3.98 percentage points.
A poll of Nebraskans taken after Nebraska's loss to Oklahoma State two weeks ago indicated that 53 percent of Nebraskans still approve of the job coach Frank Solich is doing.
The poll, which also dealt with political candidates, asked: "Switching directions now ... Do you approve or disapprove of the way that Frank Solich is handling his job as head football coach of the University of Nebraska?"
Solich was not immediately available for comment.
The company started making calls for the poll before the Huskers upset Texas A&M, overcoming a 17-point deficit in the second half to win 38-31 on Saturday.
The week before, Nebraska had lost to Oklahoma State for the first time since 1961.
Some fans have been extremely critical of Solich and his coaching staff this season as the 6-3 Cornhuskers have fallen out of The Associated Press Top 25 for the first time since 1981.
The poll released yesterday has been the only one done this season.
In it, men were more opinionated than women about Solich's job performance.
Fifty-seven percent of the men surveyed said they approved of Solich's work, 24 percent disapproved and 19 percent had no opinion.
For women, 49 percent approved of Solich's job, 18 percent disapproved and 33 had no opinion.
Do you approve or disapprove of the way that Frank Solich is handling his job as head football coach of the University of Nebraska?
'HUSKER FANS SAY THE STILL APPROVE OF SOLICH
Yes 53 percent
No 21 percent
No opinion 26 percent
Source: Midwest Survey and Research of Omaha
Solich is in his fifth year coaching the Cornhuskers.
A longtime assistant coach, Solich took the helm after Tom Osborne retired following the 1997 season.
Iowa State tries to revive run game
AMES, Iowa - Brian Thompson, front and center. It's time to show the Iowa State coaches what you can do.
In losses to Oklahoma and Texas the past two weeks, Iowa State has rushed for only 75 yards.
Coach Dan McCarney is trying to revive the running game and he's turning to Thompson. a redshirt freshman, to make it happen.
Thompson won't start in Saturday's home game against Missouri, but he'll definitely play. McCarney said yesterday.
"He's made a lot of progress, his mental errors have been few in practice, he really has done a nice job," McCarney said. "We're going to get him in the game in the first half, that I can promise you. Whether it's two snaps or 20, I don't
know."
McCarney said he'll probably start Mike Wagner, then put Thompson into the game, with Hiawatha Rutland as the third back. Rutland, who leads the team in rushing with 528 yards, has been slowed by an ankle injury.
Rutland rushed for 353 yards in Iowa State's first three games but has gained only 175 in the last six. He had only 21 yards on 13 carries in last Saturday's 21-10 loss at Texas.
"Hiawatha is still not 100 percent," McCarney said.
"He didn't look like it. We expect more out of him. He's got to play better.
"He's a great team guy, a tough guy, but there's a real good chance you're going to see Brian in the game second on Saturday."
Lawrence High ranked in prep poll
The Associated Press
TOPEKA — Following a week with practically no changes, this week's Kansas prep football rankings were shaken up by Top 5 teams losing in classes 6A, 5A, 4A and eight-man Division II.
No. 5 Liberal beat No. 4 Bishop Carroll 21-0. Liberal moved up to No. 3 and Great Bend fell just one spot to No. 4. In Class 6A, Lawrence beat crosstown rival No. 4 Lawrence Free State 42-26, knocking the Firebirds from the Top 5.
Kansas prep football rankings Class 6A
Wichita Heights moved up from No. 5 to No. 4 and Lawrence moved into the rankings at No. 5 after beating crosstown rival Free State High School.
1. Olathe North, 8-0. 2. Hutchinson, 8-0. 3. Derby, 7-1. 4. Wichita Heights, 7-1. 5. Lawrence, 6-2.
Class 5A
1. Salina South, 7-1. 2. Salina Central, 7-1. 3. Liberal, 6-2. 4.
Great Bend, 6-2. 5. Topeka West, 6-2.
Great Bend, 6-2.
Others rated: St. Thomas Aquinas, 6-2.
Class 4A
1. Fort Scott, 8-0. 2. Marysville, 8-0. 3. Topeka Hayden, 7-1. 4.
Eudora, 7-1. 5. Mill Valley, 8-0.
Class 3A
Eudora, 7-1.3. Mlir Valley, 7-1.
Others rated: Holton, 7-1; Sabetha, 7-1.
Class 3A
1. Conway Springs, 8-0.2. Silver Lake, 8-0.3, tie. Neodesha, 8-
0. Norton, 8-0.5. Hesston, 7-1.
Class 2-1A
Class 2-1A
1. Pittsburg Colgan, 8-0. 2. Claflin, 7-0. 3. Atwood, 8-0. 4. Salina Sacred Heart, 8-0. 5. Olpe, 8-0.
Others rated: Ell-Saline, 8-0; Jackson Heights, 8-0.
'Huskers lineman charged
The Associated Press
LINCOLN, Neb. — Prosecutors said they will refile assault charges against an offensive lineman on the Nebraska football team after he failed to comply with terms of his diversion program, the Lincoln Journal Star reported yesterday.
Tamotu "Junior" Tagoa'i, 22, allegedly hit his then-22-year-old girlfriend in the jaw Oct. 23, 2001, at their apartment during a discussion of their problems. Two months later, birth records indicate the woman gave birth to Tagoa'i's daughter, the newspaper reported.
Lancaster County Attorney Gary Lacey said Monday his office decided to file third-degree
assault charges against Tagoa'i when he failed to complete terms of the diversion program.
Among the unmet requirements cited were failure to verify completion of 30 community service hours and failure to verify completion of a mandatory domestic violence prevention course, authorities said.
Nebraska coach Frank Solich told the Journal Star on Monday he plans to look into the matter.
"We will take action," Solich said.
"As to what action is appropriate, it remains to be seen what factors are involved.
"Leading up to this point, the reports I had were that things were going fine, but apparently
that's not the case. That's all I can sav at this point," Solich said.
Authorities said they tried to notify Tagoa'i of the diversion termination but received a returned letter with no forwarding address.
The 6-foot-2,300-pound lineman from Hauula,Hawaii,is scheduled for a Nov. 7 arraignment.
Tagoa'i is the second person associated with the football program who has had charges refiled against them after failing to comply with terms of the diversion program. Former Nebraska running back Thunder Collins had his misdemeanor assault case delayed Monday for one week at the request of his attorney.
NEW COMPETITIVE PRICES
elections commissioner position vacancy
duties
administer, interpret, and enforce all election rules and policies set forth by the student senate elections commission.
eligibility
must be a regularly enrolled student at the university of kansas, lawrence campus. members of student government organizations are not eligible.
salary $8.50/hr., starts Nov. 18
STUDENT
SFNATE applications available in 133 strong hall
applications due:
Friday, November 1.5pm to 133 strong hall