SPORTS UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN Friday, October 9, 1992 9 Kansas, K-State renew cross-state battle By David Bartkoski By David Bartkoski Kansan sportswriter Kansas welcomes its undefeated cross-state rival Kansas State to Memorial Stadium at 1 p.m. tomorrow for both schools' first Big Eight Conference game of the year. The KU Athletic Department anticipates the first sellout in 10 years at the stadium. The Jayhawks, 3-1, will try to rebound from a 27-23 loss to California. And the Wildcats, 3-0, will try to remain unbeaten and extend their winning streak to seven games. Kansas coach Glen Mason said that the game was important because both teams had improved, and each wanted to show the other it had improved more. K-State improved from an 0-11 record in 1988 to a7-4 recorded lastyear, and Kansas improved from a 1-10 record in 1988 to a6-5 recorded lastyear. Representatives from the Orange Independence and Freedom Bowls will be at tomorrow's game The Jayhawks last went to a bowl game in 1981, when they lost 10-0 to Mississippi State in the Hall of Fame Bowl. In its only bowl game ever, K-State lost 14-3 to Wisconsin in the 1982 Independence Bowl. Mason said he was impressed with several of the Wildcats, including junior quarterback Jason Smaraggi-sso, who had thrown for 190 yards a game and was the third-rated passer in the Big Eight. K-State senior running back Eric Gallon leads the conference in rushing with 105 yards a game but almost did not play this season. He suffered a knee injury in spring drills that made some think he might have a torn ACL. Mason said Gallon's quick return to the playing field was remarkable. Senior linebackers Brent Venables, Brooks Barta and Chris Patterson are the three top tacklers for the Wildcats this season. K-State's defense is rated first against the rush and second against he pass in the Big Eight. Barta was on the Associated Press All-Big Eight first team last year. Mason said Barta reminded him of former Kansas running back Tony Sands in the way that he worked so hard for his success. K-State junior free safety Jamie Mendzi tied the school record for interceptions in one game with four hits. Temple in a 35-14 victory on Sept. 26. against New Mexico State last week. It was his 12th career interception, tying him with Clarence Scott as K-State's all-time leader. "Jaine Mendez is an outstanding player," Mason said. "You throw a ball in his area, the gut better be open or he's going to come up with it." Mendez's fifth interception came Last year, the Jayhawks lost to the Wildcats 16-12 in Manhattan. Kansas led the game 12-3 before they gave up two fourth-quarter touchdowns. Kansas players have been wearing purple T-shirts with 16-12 on the front under their practice jerseys for the last two weeks. Mason said the loss was hard on him at first. "It's one of those things," he said. "But when it is all said and done, a loss counts as a loss, and a win counts as a gain. The goes by, you minimize that effect." Sophomore outside linebacker Don Davis said he was tired of hitting his own teammates in practice. Kansas players and coaches are anxious for tomorrow's game after Mason said he wasn't concerned about the lavoy but was ready to go. "Enough's enough. Let's go," he said. "Let's get on with it." Game 5 1 p.m., Oct. 10 Memorial Stadium Lawrence, Kansas Season record: 3 - 1 - 0 Kansas Javhawks Head Coach: Glen Mason WR 5 MATT GAY 5-11 180 Sr. RJ 6 MATT GAY 6-12 240 Sr. LT 76 KEVIN HANDLER 6-2 180 Sr. LT 76 KEVIN HOOTH BOOT 6-2 180 Sr. LG 6 HESSLEY HEMPSTEAD 6-1 287 So. LG 6 JOHN HIGMID 6-1 275 So. RC 69 JOHN HIGMID 6-1 275 So. RC 69 JOHN HIGMID 6-1 275 So. RT 48 KEITH LONKER 6-3 305 Sr. RT 48 KEITH LONKER 6-3 305 Sr. RB 14 CHIP HILLERY 6-1 185 Sr. RB 14 CHIP HILLERY 6-1 185 Sr. TB 26 MAURICE ODZLAUS 5-10 195 Sr. TB 26 MAURICE ODZLAUS 5-10 195 Sr. PKP. 3 DAN ECHLOFF 6-2 215 Sr. Defense: OBL 39 DON DAVIS 6-1 220 So. LE 96 KYLE MOORE 6-1 250 Jr. LT 72 BOEKMANLAANGA 6-3 290 Jr. RT 71 DANA STUBBLEBIELD 6-3 285 Jr. RE 97 SLYVESTER WRIGHT 6-2 240 Sr. SE 97 SLYVESTER HEELY 6-2 230 Jr. MLB 35 LARRY THIE 6-0 200 Jr. CB 38 ROBBET VUHGN 6-0 190 Jr. FS 8 KWAME LASSISTER 6-1 175 Jr. SS 22 OMNAS 6-1 195 Jr. CB 32 GERALD McBURWROLS 6-1 185 Jr. Season record: 3 - 0 - 0 Source: Kansas Football Media Guide Kansas State Wildcats Head Coach: Bill Snyder Head Coach: Bill Snyder Offense: TABLE 16 | RW | TE | | :--- | :--- | | WR 7 | GERALD BENTON | 5·8 | 150 | Sr. | | LG 5 | BATTERY BROOKS | 6·5 | 275 | Sr. | | LG 7 | TOBY LAWRENCE | 6·5 | 295 | Sr. | | RG 75 | CEG WOLCOR | 6·2 | 270 | Jr. | | RT 70 | JM HIMWEWSKI | 6·7 | 285 | Sr. | | BT 81 | BRINNELLE | 6·7 | 245 | Sr. | | TB 13 | BRIAN MARGIASSO | 6·5 | 290 | Sr. | | RB 1 | ERC GALLON | 6·1 | 210 | Sr. | | WR 2 | ACRE DHEMAN | 5·10 | 170 | Sr. | | WR 8 | MITTING | 6·10 | 180 | Sr. | | P 9 | SEAM SNIDER | 6·10 | 190 | Sr. | | PK 9 | WARREN CLAASSEN | 5·11 | 175 | Jr. | Defense: DE 53 REGGE BLACKWELL 62 220 Sr. DT 55 EKWENSI GRITHIF 62 265 Sr. NT 67 STEVEN KINJU 62 275 Sr. NB 64 STEVE MOTEN 62 275 Sr. LB 44 BROOKS BAKTS 62 220 Sr. LB 44 BROOKS BAKTS 62 220 Sr. LB 34 CHRIS PATTerson 62 335 Jr. LB 34 CHRIS PATTerson 62 335 Jr. KITT RAWALINGS 51 11 Jr. JS 32 JAMIE MENDZE 61 20 Jr. FS 32 CATTEE RIES 61 100 Jr. RS 32 THOMAS RANDOMI 51 170 Jr. Michelle K. Betts / KANSAN Senior defensive tackle Dana Stubblefield, 71, and sophomore defensive end Darnell Britt, 94, chase Ball State's quarterback Mike Neu during the Kansas-Ball State game. Stubblefield did not start in the Jahayhs' 62:10 victory against Ball State, on Sept. 12 because of an ankle injury. Tackle needs five sacks to break KU career record Stubblefield wants to forget 1991 loss By David Dorsey Kansan sportswriter Kansas State is coming to town, and Kansas defensive tackle Dana Stubblefield doesn't like it. "I hate playing K-State," said the 6-foot-3, 285-pound Stubblefield. "There's just something about them that I don't like. The memories of last year. The feeling that I had, walking off the field when their fans came rushing down to tear down the posts. That was one of the worst feelings I ever had wearing a Kansas football uniform." Kansas led for most of the game at Manhattan last season but lost 16-12. Stubblefield said he needed to elevate his plan for tomorrow's game. "I feel like I've been playing average," he said. "I've been out with a little ankle injury, and you can't do anything about that except let Mother Nature take its course. It's a 100 percent now, so tomorrow I'm looking to be productive." Although he is unhappy with his production this season, he continues to lead the defensive line, living up to his role as the Jayhawks' four senior captains. "He's definitely the leader type," said teammate Chris Mualanga. "He's somebody that gets the whole team going." Stubblebell received many presse- son honors, including being named a Playboy preseason All-American. He was rated by the NCAA College Football Preview as the third best defensive tackle in the country. Kansas defensive line coach Bob Fello said that Stubblefield had responded positively to such high expectations. "I think he's handled it pretty well," Fello said. "He's very positive. Watch him in his drills, and he'd be the first guy in the line." Stubblefield has not missed a game this season but did not start against Ball State because of an ankle injury. He has his streak of 23 consecutive starts. "It was sad that I didn't start, but as long as we won, I'm happy," he said. He returned to the starting lineup against Tulsa and contributed with two tackles. Against California, he had seven tackles, including one for a loss. Stubblefield did not realize until yesterday that he needed only five sacks to become the all-time Kansas leader in career sacks. "It would be nice to break the record at a Division I college like the University of Kansas," he said. "I don't go out and set personal records for each game. I just go out and try to be productive. If we can continue to win, a personal record would mean even more to me." MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYOFFS Pirates lose hope in big bats place faith in 'miracle' pitcher The Associated Press PITTSBURGH — Asked to name the Pittsburgh Pirates' pitching rotation for the National League playoffs, general manager Ted Simmons said, "Drabek, Jackson ... and the miracle." The Pirates — down 2-0 in a series in which they've looked dreadfully overmatched — certainly need a miracle against the Atlanta Thunder as play continues with Game 3 tonight. So far, I'm Wakefield has been just that. Funny, the team that thrashes on the hitting of Barry Bonds and Andy Van Slyke, that has been winning against the teams titles largely through Doug Drabble's pitching, must turn to a failed minor-league first baseman to turn this series around. Wakefield has been in the majors less than a half-season and was only in his first full year of throwing the knuckleball when the Pirates won the NL East in '90. Now, he and his 8-1 record are all that stands between the Braves in a potentially insurmountable 3-0 series lead. So far, Tim Wakefield has been just that. Wakefield's dipping, darting, dancing knuckleball has been the talk of the league for weeks, but he's never had to pitch under the kind of pressure he will tonight against 20-game winner Tom Glavine, 20-8. And not with the Braves so close to getting back to the World Series they've been talking about winning since the start of spring training. "I don't think I'll be extra nervous," Wakefield said. "I'll be normal nervous, but once I'm on the mound, with the security of pitching, I get the ball in my band, I will all right." Wakefield pitched a complete game to beat Atlanta 4-2 August.16 at Pittsburgh, the Pirates' only win in that four-game series. They've already broken up Pittsburgh's pitching staff — the Pirates 'ERA is a stratospheric 9.66 — and from the looks on a few Pirates' faces after Atlanta's 13-5 wipeout in Game 2, they've also broken a few Pittsburgh spirits. Only two Pirates — Joe Lind, whose .235 average was the fifth-flowest among NL regulars this season, and platoon outfielder Lloyd McClendon — have more than one hit. The Braves have outscored the Pirates 18-6, have outhit them 191-8, to 188 and even have outfielded what was considered theNL's state of the art defense. "I know they're a confident club behind Wakefield," the Braves' Sid Bream said. "But if we go up there and win, that just might break their bats." Almost as tough as the Braves' pitchers have been on Bonds and Van Slyke. Sure, their postseason travis are well-documented, but they aren't only the only Pitbulls having trouble. "It's tough to be fighting uphill all the time." Pirates manager Jim Levland said. "It's not just me." Bonds said. "Look, only Chico (Lind) is hitting. Andy's got one hit, Jay Bell's got one hit, (Jeff) King's got one hit. I'm out there having fun. It's a time to rejoice. We're in the playoffs." The irony is that the only team with a statute of a knuckleballer outside its stadium — the Braves have so immortalized Phil Niekro — must go against one of baseball's few knuckleballers in its biggest season of the season. At this rate, not for long. NATIONAL The Atlanta Braves, down 2-0, look for a victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates at 7:30 tonight in Pittsburgh in Game 3 of the National League playoffs. Rookie Tim Wakefield, 8-1, the Pirates' so-called miracle, will face last year's Cy Young award winner Tom Glavine who boasts a 20-8 record. AMERICAN The Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Oakland Athletics 3-1 last night in Game 2 of the American League playoffs. The teams now are tied at one game a piece. David Cone shut down Oakland for eight innings, and he stopped the team's seven-game winning streak in the playoffs. Game 3 is at 3 p.m. tomorrow at Oakland. TORONTO — Now everyone knows why the Toronto Blue Jays wanted David Cone so much this season and why everybody else will want him even more next year. Cone, acquired cheaply from the New York Mets in late August, paid off in a big way last night. He shut down Oakland for eight innings, and pitched the Blue days to a 3-1 victory that evened the AL playoffs at one game each. Blue Jays win 3-1 grateful for Cone Cone put aside thoughts about filing for free agency after the World Series and instead put the Blue Jays one game closer to making it that far. The Associated Press "Naturally, you think about being called a hired gun, and where you're going to be next year," he said, "but you try to throw all of that out of your mind. "Free agency will take care of itself. Right now, I have a chance to be on a team that will go all the way." he said. "There were a lot of free agents on both sides of the field tonight. There's really a 'live for now attitude.' That makes it easier for all of us." "We saw a lot of funny-looking swings from our guys that you don't normally see." A's Cone stopped Olanda's seven-game winning streak in the playoffs and also ended a slump of six consecutive playoff losses at the SkyDome for Toronto. Kelly Gruber's two-run homer off Mike Moore in the fifth innings broke open a scoreless game. It also provided the long bangle in the 11 runs so far scored by the 13 runs so far have scored on homers. manager Tony La Russa said. "He was out- standing." The series now shifts to Oakland, where Juan Guzman will start for Toronto against another ex-Met, Ron Darling, tomorrow afternoon. Cone was coveted by nearly every contender in the stretch. The Mets, however, said they would not trade him. But when Toronto offered Jeff Kent and minor leaguer Ryan Thompson, two players the Mets really wanted, they accepted on Aug. 27. Only once had Cone ever faced the A's, back in 1986 when he was an up-and-coming reliever with Kansas City, and that was only for five batters. Cone benefited from Oakland's lack of familiarity and befuddled its hitters. Rickey Henderson, Carney Lansford and Ruben Sierra, Oakland's three top batters, were a combined 0 for 10 until Sierra tripped to start the ninth. The same three hitters also went 0 for 10 on Wednesday night against Jack Morris. Sierra's triple finished Cone, who appeared upset at being relieved. Harold Baines, who won the opener with a ninth-inning homer, singled off reliever Tom Henkle. Mark McGwire, another home run hero in Game 1, followed with a long fly ball that curved foul in left and silenced the crowd for just a minute. Henkel got the last two batters for the save, and Cone led the Blue Jays' rush onto the field to congratulate him.