University Daily Kansan / Friday, October 30, 1987
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Sports
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KU skeptical on ability to hold No.1 OU in offense or defense
By CRAIG ANDERSON
Staff writer
The team rankings for the No. 1-ranked Oklahoma Sooners show that they are bordering on perfection.
Start with the triple-option wishbone offense that the Sooners run year after year. Oklahoma currently leads the nation in scoring offense, tallying 49 points per game; in total offense, with 843 yards per game and in total offense, racking up 517 yards a contest.
The numbers amassed by the Sooners' offense have resulted in Oklahoma scoring 46 touchdowns in its first seven games. The Sooners' top six rushers are all averaging at least six yards a carry. Junior quarterback Danny Woodhead leads the Sooners with 609 rushing yards.
Kansas coach Bob Valesente said the Sooners' speed in the backfield would be touchest to deal with.
"We've been trying to get our scout team to run the Oklahoma offense downhill," he said. "Their offence is scoring more points than a lot of basketball teams do."
Considering last season's 64-3 fiasco, junior Kansas linebacker Rick Clayton said many of the Kansas players were thinking of tomorrow's game as a track meet.
"One of the guys on the team drew a picture of the Oklahoma backfield with runner's blocks at their feet ready to run," Clayton said. "They are just so fast."
Moving to the immovable object, the Sooners' defense, leads to many of the same words that describe their offense. Oklahoma leads the nation in scoring defense, giving up less than seven points a game. They also lead the country in total defense.
The Sooners have given up only three touchdowns in their first seven games. Kansas gave up three touchdowns in the first 12 minutes of its season in the Auburn game. Oklahoma has outscored its opposition, 162-10, in the second half of its games this year.
Valesente said Oklahoma represented the complete package of what a college football team should be.
"As you look at their films you realize they don't have any weaknesses," Valesen said. "The only times they've given up touchdowns have been on mistakes. Nobody can sustain anything on them offensively or defensively."
Up until last week's game against Iowa State, the Kansas offense didn't been able to sustain anything against anybody, averaging only 9.3 points a game. The Jayhawks indeed somewhat against the Cyclones, though scoring 28 points and gaining 346 yards.
"A
As you look at their (Oklahoma's) films you realize they don't have any weaknesses. The only times they've given up touchdowns have been on mistakes. Nobody can sustain anything on them offensively or defensively.'
Bob Valesente KU football coach
Valesente said the sudden emergence of the Kansas offense could be attributed to the play of sophomore quarterback Kelly Domeyer, who made 18 of 27 passes for a career high of 281 yards.
"For the first time all year, someone really stepped forward and dominated," Valentele said of Donoho. "I feel like he could be more productive as the season goes along."
The Kansas offense was also bolstered against Iowa State by a running game that netted 285 yards, 154 of which were gained by junior tailback Arnold Snell. Valesse said the Jayhawks would balance running and passing plays against the Sooners.
Hawkins will also be aided by the return of junior tailback Darryll Terrell, who has missed the last two games because of an ankle strain. Terrell rushed for 274 yards in
the jayhawks' first five games. Valesen said the return of Terrell would further strengthen a running corps that has made improvements in the last couple of games.
"We've made some strides in being able to control the ball longer during games and being able to give our defense more of a rest," the Kansas coach said. "We'd like to keep the ball out, but we can't change our offensive plans all the time. We need to achieve some consistency."
On the outer side of the ball for Kansas, the defensive tackle position is still in a state of flux. Last week, Kansas' four top defensive tackles were on the injured list. As a result, redshirt freshmen David Gordon and Mike Brown recorded tackles and Dimeed made six. Valente said he was pleased with the youngsters' performances.
"Gordon and Dinnel) didn't lose the game for us last Saturday," Valesente said. "They made some big plays for us out there."
It appears now that senior David White and sophomore Mark Koncz will return totomorrow to start against the Sooners. However, the two would play well and Dinnel would get extensive playing time.
Oklahoma may be ranked No. 1 in all the major polls, but Kansas moved into a poll this week, the Bottom Ten Poll by syndicated columnist Doug Harvey. Harvey also listed the Jayhawks as No. 9 in the Division 1-AA poll because Kansas had been beaten by division members Kent State and Louisiana Tech.
Kansas may be taking shots from the media, but Oklahoma coach Barry Switzer said he is not going to let his team underestimate the Jayhawks. Kansas upset Oklahoma in 1975 and 1984. Both times were the regular season losses Oklahoma suffered.
"The minute you begin to take an opponent lightly is when that opponent jumps up and bites you." Switzer said. "I don't think we ever get what Kansas did in us 1975 and 1984."
Game 8
Kansas Jayhawks
Coach Bob Valesente
Record: 1-6/0-3
Last Week: The Jayhawks had three turnovers to start the second half, losing 42-28 to Iowa State.
Oklahoma Sooners
Coach Barry Switzer
Record: 7-0 3-0
W- 2 Quinn Smith, 5-11, 175, lt.
LH- 70 Jim Davis, 6-260, Sr.
LG- 86 Jay Allen, 6-325, Jr.
LG- 51 Chip Abdou, 6.2, 260, Jr.
LH- 41 Bob Husky, 6.2, 260, Jr.
RT- 71 Bob Pleper, 6.2, 290, Sr.
RT- 86 John Baker, 6.4, 230, Sec.
OR- 14 Kiley Donohue, 6.1, 175, lt.
TB- 22 Armidell Snook, 6.2, 200, Sec.
TB- 21 Armidell Snook, 6.2, 200, Sec.
RL- 24 Romine Caldwell, 6.1, 190, Sr.
PR- 20 Louis Kemp, 6.1, 195, lt.
Last Week: The Sooners struggled against Colorado, but still managed a 24-6 victory in Norman, Okla.
LE - 90 Edidge Avery, 6-32, 65-Ru
LE - 79 Mark Koncz, 8-25, 60-So
RT - 97 David White, 6-42, 85-Ru
LB - 90 Robert Schmidt, 6-12, 85-
LB - 50 KB Skerkech, 6-21, 85-
MB - 19 Curta Maure, 6-1, 220-
RLB - 25 Braden Reed, 6-1, 230-
RGB - 16 Mit Gaimer, 5-11, 200-
RB - 51 Mit Gaimer, 5-11, 200-
RB - 6 Filtormann, 6-0, 200-Jr
SS - 32 Marien Mattox, 6-4, 210-P
P - 47 John Brehm, 6-1, 185-Jr
Probable Starters Offense:
TE- 88 Keith Jackson, 6,32; 242,
JL- 69 John Phillips, 6,42; 275,
LM- 79 Mark Hutton, 6,42; 280,
C- 65 Bob Laham, 6,5; 285,
LM- 79 Greg Johnson, 6,4; 300,
RG- 79 Greg Johnson, 6,4; 300,
SE- 83 Carabell Cassin, 6,19; 190,
QB- 4 Jamieelle F, 5,9; 180,
LH- 15 Anthony Stafford, 5,7; 175,
LH- 15 Anthony Stafford, 5,7;
FB- 45 Lylel Gar, 6,22; 250,
FB- 45 Lylel Gar, 6,22; 250,
RI- 13 K.D. Rashad, 6,11; 190,
Defense:
Series: The Kansas-Oklahoma football series dates back to 1903. It is the longest uninterrupted series in the nation at 83 games. The Sooners lead the series 55-23-6.
LE- 40 Daryl Reed, 8, 225, Bras
LB- 78 Ebavens Sevitt, 6, 234, Frar-
NG- 99 Tony Woods, 6, 52, 170
RH- 72 Troy Hannah, 6, 52, 170
RB- 70 Toboy Johnson, 8, 220, Blr-
BLD- 41 Richard Dillon, 6, 215, Bris
SLB- 50 Dame Jones, 6, 225, Bris
LCB- 91 Lonnie Fichen, 6, 288, Bri-
CB- 70 David Fichen, 6, 288, Bri-
FSB- 101 J. W. Hunt, 10, 187, Bris
RCB- 14 Denrick White, 9, 188, Bris
PC- 91 Tod Thomson, 6, 190, Bris
**History:** Last year's 64-3 Oklahoma victory is tied for the third worst defeat of the Jayhawks in the history of the team. The Sooners also handed Kansas its second worst defeat, with a 65-0 victory in 1954.
Coverage: The Kansas-Oklahomaagame will be located by the Kansas Jay hawk Network. The game can be heard in the Lawrence area on KLZR (106 FM) and KLWN (1320 AM). Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. in Memorial Stadium. Radio station KJHK (90.7 FM) will also provide coverage of the game.
Auburn's Burger gets eligibility back
KANSAN graphic
The Associated Press
AUBURN, Ala. — The NCAA restored the eligibility of Auburn senior quarterback Jeff Burger and offensive tackle Jim Thompson yesterday, with Burger facing several penalties for failing to cooperate in the school's investigation into a hunting trip the pair took
Mike Hubbard, Auburn associate sports information director, said one of the penalties is that Burger will not start in tomorrow's game between the sixth-ranked Tigers and No. 10 Browns, who could still see action, Hubbard said.
"All we're saying is he will not start, but he is eligible to play," Hubbard said.
The decision by the National Collegiate Athletic Association comes on Tuesday.
Burger, the leading passer in the Southeastern Conference, and Thompson violated the "extra benefits" rule by taking a private plane trip to a dove hunt in south Alabama on Oct. 11.
Auburn had immediately declared both players ineligible and then appealed to the NCAA, which notified school officials yesterday morning that their eligibility could be restored. Both players were kept out of last week's victory over Mississippi State by Coach Pat Dye, who found out about the possible violation only one day before that game.
"In reaching its decision, the NCAA took into consideration the fact that Thompson and Burger had already been withheld from one game," Hubbard said.
Piper returns to practice
By DARRIN STINEMAN
Staff writer
Kansas senior forward Chi Piper returned to practice yesterday after a pulled left groin muscle kept him out of practice for a week.
Piper said that the injury had bothered him for several years, but that he had aggravated it this summer in a recreation league game.
"I've always had a problem with my left groin, and I just pulled it a little too far," he said. "It's just what that you handle over time."
Piper, who averaged 6.6 points and 4.7 rebounds for the Jayhaws last year, said the decision to temporarily release him from the coaches and the team doctor.
"Staying off of it helps; it doesn't give it a chance to be sore." Piper said. "It's the type of thing that takes a long time to heal."
Kansas assistant trainer Mark Cairns, who has been treating Piper for the injury, said he had been
applying heat before practice to loosen the muscle and ice after practice to numb the area and restrict blood flow, making it less painful. Cairns said Piper was also taking anti-inflammatory medication to keep the swelling down.
"We're just treating the symptoms for pain," Carins said. "That's really all you can do with Chris right now. Generally, if he keeps on playing, he's going to feel pain the rest of the year. That's why we're treating him here early — so it doesn't get to be too sore."
Piper said he was able to go forward and backward without pain, but the injury made lateral movement difficult. Despite that difficulty, the 6-foot-8, 200-pound Lawrence active said he won't worried about it.
PITTSBURGH - Hal McRae, who turned down the Kansas City Royals' interim managing job last summer, was hired yesterday as the Pittsburgh Pirates' minor league hitting instructor.
"I's always been there, so I don't think it'll be any problem to play on it," he said. "I want to talk about it and something I'm concerned about."
Pirates chain hires McRae
McRae, who played in the major leagues for 17 years, was on the Royals' roster until July 21.
The Associated Press
As a Pirates coach, McRae will be based at his Bradenton, Fla., home. The Pirates have a rookie-league season with hold spring training in Bradenton.
"Pittsburgh was the perfect job for me because I wanted to stay in baseball and I wanted to stay at home." McRae said. "Pittsburgh has made a lot of progress the last couple
of seasons. They have obtained some pretty good young talent . . all of the indicators are up for them."
McRae, 42, spent 14 seasons with the Royals, mostly as a designated hitter, and batted over 300 six times. In 1982 he batted .307 with 27 home runs and an American League-leading 133 runs batted in.
A career 290 hitter, McRae was offered the Royals' managed job last summer after Billy Gardner was fired. He declined the offer when he would be retained in 1988, and the team later hired John Wathan.
Pirates General Manager Syd Trift said McRae's hire "fills a void in our organization. He's a very competent and knowledgeable hitting instructor. His record as a hitter and a coach is outstanding."
Ex-Oklahoma star Tisdale has same winning style but now sports a new uniform with Indiana Pacers
By CRAIG ANDERSON Staff writer
TOPEKA — Wayman Tisdale's uniform might have been a little different from what Big Eight Conference basketball fans remembered, but they found out that the left-handed turnaround jump shot and the ear-to-ear smile were still the same.
Tisdale, the former University of Oklahoma All-America forward-center, was in Landon Arena on Wednesday night playing with the Indiana Pacers against the Tampa Bay Ducks. He scored 17 points. Ivan all three helped Indiana defeat Milwaukee 98-96.
When the game, Tisdale grinned when asked what it was like to be back in Big Eight country.
"I felt like I was back home again," said the Tula, Okla, native. "This is as close as I get to home during the season."
Tisdale said it was the first time he had been back in Kansas since his college days with the Sooners. His last season at OU was the 1984-85 campaign and his three years there marked the beginning of a fierce Sooner-Jayhawk rivalry that still continues.
"Man, it was always a tough place to play," he said, talking about Allen Field House. "I don't think we ever won a game there."
When reminded that he had played on the 1983-84 Sooner team that beat Kansas 92-82 in overtime, he lost to Kansas and started grinning again. That victory over Kansas clinched the conference title for the Sooners.
Indiana Pacers forward Wavman Tisdale attempts to block a jump shot by John Stroeder of the Milwaukee Bucks
Jayhawk fans didn't take kindly to the Sooners celebration at the end of the game. Oklahoma players began waving their fingers in their version of the "We're Number One" sign to the crowd. A near-riot occured when the Sooners began cutting down the nets during their postgame championship celebration.
Tidale's memory came back as he talked about the wild night in Lawrence.
Stephen Wade/Special to the KANSAN
"We didn't have to just fight our way out of Allen Field House," he said. "We had to fight our way out of the entire state of Kansas."
Tisdale finished his career as the leading scorer in Big Eight history. During his three years as a Sooner, he set 17 school records and nine conference records. He also finished as the ninth-leading scorer in the NCAA. Tisdale was a member of the 1984 United States Olympic team that won the Gold medal in Los Angeles.
The 6-foot-7, 250-pound Tisdale passed his final year of college to enter the NBA draft and was selected by the Pacers. The transition to an NBA lifestyle was rough at Tisdale at first.
"At first, all the long road trips and flights really bothered me," he said. "It's okay now. I just put on my headphones and get off into my own little world. I just start cruising."
In his first two years in the NBA, his life on the basketball court took a little bit of adjusting to also. During that time, Tisdale averaged 14.6 points a game, roughly half his collegiate scoring average. He said the drop in scoring didn't surprise him.
"I kind of expected that because I'm playing against the best athletes in the world," he said. "Give a couple of years, though, and (my scoring average) will be right back up there again."
Tisdale was joined last year on the Pacers by former Big Eight rival Greg Dreiling, who was at Kansas from 1983 to 1968. He said the college rivalry ended when he took a teammate for KU, became a teammate.
"There were no hard feelings
"Before the season, I was in the locker room waiting for a team meeting and Wayman came in," he said. "We both just kind of stared at each other and shouted laughing. If the fans can forgive Wayman, I guess I can. He's really a good guy."
once I got to really meet Greg," he said. "Now, I'm glad to wrestle the big fella every day in practice."
Dreiling said the feelings were mutual.