MONDAY,AUGUST 19.2002
SPORTS PICKS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN 11B
Levi Chronister
Levi Chronister
Kansas sports editor
Big 12 North Champion – Colorado
Big 12 South Champion – Texas
Big 12 Champion – Texas
National – Florida State
KU Football Record – 3-8
Winningest KU Fall Sport (by percentage) – Women's Soccer
Jessica Tims
Session 1312
Kansan associate sports editor
Big 12 North Champion—KSU
Big 12 South Champion—Oklahoma
Big 12 Champion—Oklahoma
National—Florida
KU Football Record—5-6
Winningsing KU Fall Sport (by percentage)—Women's Soccer
Jav Krall
Kaneen editor
Kansas editor
Big 12 North Champion – Nebraska
Big 12 South Champion – Oklahoma
Big 12 Champion – Nebraska
National – Florida State
KU Football Record – 5-6
Winningest KU Fall Sport (by percentage) – Women's Soccer
Jonah Ballow
Kansan sportswriter
Kansas Sportswinter
Big 12 North Champion — Colorado
Big 12 South Champion — Oklahoma
Big 12 Champion — Oklahoma
National — Oklahoma
KU Football Record — 5-6
Winningest KU Fall Sport (by percentage) — Women's Soccer
Jessica Scott
Kansan sportswriter
Big 12 North Champion - Colorado
Big 12 South Champion - Oklahoma
Big 12 Champion - Oklahoma
National-Florida State
KU Football Record - 6-5
Winningest KU Fall Sport (by percentage)-Women's Soccer
Ryan Wood
Kansan sports columnist
Big 12 North Champion — Nebraska
Big 12 South Champion — Texas
Big 12 Champion — Texas
National — Texas
KU Football Record — 4-7
Winningest KU Fall Sport (by percentage) — Women's Soccer
Minnesota quarterback praises talent of teammates
Knight Ridder News Services
CHICAGO — Minnesota quarterback Asad Abdul-Khaliq was talking about running backs Marion Barber III and Thomas Tapeh, whom coach Glen Mason plans to play together in the backfield at times this season.
"Those guys can do it all," Abdul-Khaliq said. "Man, I mean speed, power, quickness, finesse, catching the ball. Whatever you want, those two can get it done."
But can either of them block?
Abdul-khalai enjoyed a long, loud laugh. Then he built a solid case for Barber, a 19-year-old sophomore, and Tapeh, a 22-year-old junior.
"Oh, my yes, they can block." Abdul-Khaiq said. "Both of them. I feel comfortable when I drop back and one or both of those two blocks
for me. I don't worry about getting hit. My mind is on going downfield
"Those two will block for one another too. As tailback or fullback, they'll give it to the best defenders."
If Barber's name sounds familiar, it's because his father, Marion Barber II, starred for the Gophers from 1977-80 and later played in the NFL.
As a 200-pound freshman last year, the Plymouth, Minn., native rushed for 742 yards. Aided in part by Tapeh's blocking, Barber averaged 6.3 yards per carry, second best in the Big Ten.
"Our freshman sensation," Mason said. "He wasn't widely recruited. To be honest, the only reason I offered him a scholarship was because his dad was a Gopher.
"I recruited him as a defensive back," Mason said, "but after he had on campus about five minutes, I
realized, 'Oh, God, I glad I recieved him.'
Mason didn't hesitate offering a ride to Tapeh, who's from St. Paul. Tapeh weighs almost 240, but he runs like a spinter and bench-presses more than 450 pounds. Foot injuries that now appear healed limited him to 110 carries and 482 yards his first two seasons.
Two fine running backs by themselves do not make an offense. But if Mason comes up with capable replacements for his two graduated guards and his center, the running and blocking of Barber and Tapeh could cause opponents to pack seven or eight defenders on the line. And this could open up the passing game for Abdul-Khaliq.
He passed for 1,393 yards, ran for 266 more and had a 12-6 touchdown-to-interception ratio last year. His
No. 1 receiver, Ron Johnson, graduated,
but Mason calls on foot-6-1inch 250-pound Bent Utech, "in my opinion the best tight end in the country."
"I'm confident about our offense," Mason said. "Khalil keeps improving. He has a chance to be a force in the Big Ten. We can't replace Ron Johnson with one receiver, but Barber and Tapeh, if he stays healthy, could be dominant running backs."
The Gophers last year missed going to a third straight bowl game, finishing 4-7 overall and 2-6 in 10th place in the Big Ten. Defense was the major culprit.
The Gopher's defense ranked 10th in conference games with an average yield of 454.4 yards per game. They were No. 9 against the run, giving up an average of 208.9 yards and last against the pass at 245.5 yards.
Eight of last year's 11 defensive starters return. If they learned enough while taking their lumps, the defense will improve in 2002.
Cornerback and co-captain Michael Lehan is one of three starters and five lettermen returning to the secondary, Lehan ranked third in the Big Ten with 16 passed broken up and made two interceptions.
The Gophers sacked quarterbacks only 14 times in 11 games last year. They base expectations for increased sacks on a rush line that has two returning starting tackles, Dan Kwipaplin and Darrell Reil, and two swift pass-rushing ends, newcomers Charlton Keith and Mark Losli.
Of course, there's another way the Gophers' defense can improve significantly over last year. That's to have Abdul-Khalil and his offensive unit
substantially increase last year's average of 28 minutes of possession per game. This would require smart decisions by the junior quarterback from Elizabeth, N.J.
"My freshman year I was terrible." Abdul-Khaliq admitted. "When you're responsible for knowing what 22 guys are doing, it can be confusing. Last year I had a much better grasp. This year I'm confident, and I have a different outlook.
"I'm more focused on being a leader this year. Being a leader is easy when you're winning and things are going well.
To me, leadership means the ability to stay out there in any type of situation, whether you're hurt or your losing, and show your teammates that you're willing to die for them."
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