University Daily Kansan / Fridav. October 23, 1987
Sports
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KU-ISU game could resemble toothless dogfight, coach says
By CRAIG ANDERSON
Staff writer
The old sayings give, if a dog is going to grow up to bite someone, he'll do it as a pup. Iowa State coach Jim Walden, whose team will start nine freshmen or sophomores tomorrow against Kansas, isn't sure either the Cyclones or the Jayhawks will be able to bite anyone.
Kansas coach Bob Valesente thinks his team still has a little bite left to it.
"It could turn out to be like two pittballs fighting each other without any teeth," said Walden, the first-year Iowa State coach. "We're going to play to survive out there."
"We're not completely toothless yet," he said. "We've still got part of our upper plate
The Jayhawks might have had the rest of their teeth extracted if they would have gone through a regular schedule of practices this week. On Monday, Kansas had 27 players listed on the injury report. Because of that, they should have contact drills to help them mend a little bit.
"I've never seen so many injuries hit a team at once," he said. "We weren't a deep team to begin with, but now we've really had to adjust."
Kansas defensive end Teddy Newman, one of the few defensive linemen who didn't get hurt against Colorado, said going through a week of practices without contact would not hurt the Jayhawks when they played Iowa State tomorrow.
"If you haven't learned to hit by bit now, it's too late anyway," he said. "It's good to kind of step back for a week and ourselves heal up."
Walden has a slightly different problem with his Cyclones. An NCAA probation, and player defections, have left this year's squad with only 41 players on scholarship. Walden recruited students off the Iowa State campus to fill some spots on the team as walk-ons.
"They're allowing us to survive," he said.
"Without those 45 to 50 guys, I'd have to call
Walden won't cancel the rest of the season, but he'd probably like to cancel the second half of each game that his team has played. Iowa State has been outscored 115-24 in the second half of its first six games. Walden said the Cyclones' lack of numbers made it hard for them to play tough in the third and fourth quarters.
"There's no question that we have been
getting worn down in the second half," he said. "It's going to be a challenge for us to accept the rest of the season."
A challenge for Valeentine has been trying to accept the latest release of syndicated columnist Doug Harvey's Bottom Ten column. In the release, Kansas, Kansas State, the now defunct Kansas program and the Kansas City "Leaks" were all tied for the worst team in college football.
"It's not a credit to any journalistic expertise at all." Valesente said. "It's the worst column I've ever read in my life."
Harvey also rated Kansas-lowa State as the crummy game of the week. The Cyclones won by 12-0.
Actually, the Cyclones have done reasonably well with the players they do have. Like Kansas, they have only been able to win once, but there have been some Cyclone sparks.
The Iowa State offense rebounded after struggling early in the season to score 56 points in its last two games. In the Cyclones' only victory, they overcame a large first half deficit and rallied to beat Northern Iowa 39-38
But Iowa State does have some firepower on offense. Junior fullback Joe Henderson has rushed for 530 yards this season. Senior quarterback Brett Sadek ranks second in the Big Eight Conference in passing yards with 799.
Junior wide receiver Dennis Ross has been on the end of many of Sadek's completions. Ross has caught 26 passes totaling 332 yards. Kansas strong safety Milt Garner has seen films of Ross and said he looked like a good receiver. Still, he didn't sound impressed with the Cvclone wide receiver.
"He's good, but Willie Vaughn is a much better receiver than him, and we go up against Willie every day in practice," he said. "We won't have any problems."
Kansas' biggest problem in the secondary lately has been trying to find four healthy bodies. The Jayhawks' defensive secondary injuries and defections throughout the season.
The Jayhawks' problems in the secondary reached a peak last Saturday against Colorado when they started Garner, two freshmen, Bill Sutter and Michael Page and another starter. Only Garner had been a starter in the Jayhawks' season-opening 49-10 loss to Auburn.
most of the game, said Kansas defensive secondary coach Louis West. But the changes could continue because one of last week's starters, Newton, might not play next week. Sutter, another starter, will definitely miss because he had shoulder surgery last night. Newson has been slow all week during practice because of bumps and bruises he suffered during his 23-tackle performance against Colorado.
The performance on the offensive side by sophomore quarterback Kelly Donohoe against Colorado could have brought back to life the battle for the starting quarterback. Donohoe played in the fourth quarter against the Buffaloates, completing four of nine passes for 130 yards, including a 98-yard touchdown pass to Vaughn.
opening is a loss to team. The revamped secondary played well for
Donoho replaced freshman starter Kevin Verdugo, who had replaced Donoho earlier in the season. Verdugo did not throw as many interceptions as Donoho, but the freshman had difficulties throwing the ball downfield on anything more than a screen pass.
The statistics after six games for Donoho and Verduro are almost identical. In five games, Donoho completed 42.6 percent of his passes and in three games, Verduro com- pleted 38.7 percent. The competition for the starting quarterback position seems to have heated up again.
"The coaches told us in meetings this week they didn't know who would start," Dohoneo
Wheover calls signals for the Jayhawks may have problems with the Iowa State pass rush. Offensive line coach Quanlass said there were plenty of openings, linemen and linebackers and was concerned.
"They do a lot of stunting and moving around up front," he said. "Physically, they're a talent group. We've tried to work preparing for any changes they might make."
The injury curse has also hit Kansas 'offensive line, so the unit may have to make adjustments to its personnel. Senior offensive tackle Jim Davis has missed most of the games, but he played for a sprained knee. Quarrelless said he was unsure whether David would play tomorrow.
If Davis is unable to play, the Jayhawks will have to go to their offensive line shuffle, as they have been forced to do for most of the season to work around the injuries of Davis and fellow senior offensive tackle Bob Pieper. Senior guard Bryan Howard would
Kansas Jayhawks
Coach Bob Valesente
Record: 1-5/0-2
Game 7
Last Week: The Jayhawks took an early 3-0 lead, but the Colorado Buffaloes came back for a 35-10 victory.
W - 2 Quintin Smith, 51,11,75, Us
LT - 70 Jim Davis, 6, 280, Sr
LG - 78 Jay Alan, 6, 255, Jr
CL - Chip Budde, 6, 255, Jr
LB - 6, 285, Sr
RL - 71 Bob Peeper, 6, 280, Sr
TE - 86 John Baker, 6, 230, Ss
OB - 13 Kevin Verdugo, 6, 240, Fr
TB - 22 Arnold Snell, 6, 200, Jr
TB - 24 Ronald Snell, 6, 200, Jr
RL - 34 Ronnie Caldwell, 6, 180, Kr
PS - 29 Louis Kemp, 5, 105, Ss
Iowa State Cyclones
Coach Jim Walden
Record: 1-5/0-2
LE - 90 Eldridge Avery, 8-32, 658;
LE - 69 Mark Koncz, 8-52, 650.
LE - 97 David White, 8-42, 585;
LB - 116 Karran, 8-42, 585;
LB - 33 B莉 Grayton, 8-32, 658;
LB - 19 Curtis Moore, 8-12, 290;
LRB - 15 Rick Dresseden, 8-12, 630;
RCB - 16 Mit Garner, 5-11, 200;
RCB - 14 Mit Garner, 5-11, 200;
FB - 6 Bob Newson, 0-10, 658;
SS - 32 Marvin Matoro, 8-42, 510;
P - 47 John Brehm, 8-1, 185;
Last Week: The Cyclones blew a 17-14 lead in the fourth quarter in a 42-17 loss to the Missouri Tigers in Ames, Iowa.
Probable Starters:
Offense:
86 Dennis Ross, 8-19, 197, Jr.
LT—73 Ben Mitchell, 4-27, 197,
LG—54 Trent Van Hoezen, 6-32, 200,
LG—66 David Heyner, 6-1, 252, Jr.
RQ—57 Rick Wells, 6-3, 269, Jr.
QB—67 Bret Sadak, 6-2, 197, Sr
RB—33 Joe Henderson, 9-0, 202, Jr
RB—33 Edwin Jones, 5-11, 185, Fr
FL—63 Eddie Bridge, 5-10, 171, Sr
FL—36 Eddie Bridge, 5-10, 171, Sr
KP—9 Jeff Sieidak, 5-10, 177.
LE- 46 Robert Dabney, 6, 2, 29, 21
LR- 56 Scott Bennison, 6, 1, 23, 38
RT- 77 Handy Ben, 6, 3, 258, SoR
RR- 80 Tom Strawman, 6, 5, 241, 48
ST- 85 Shaun Hunt, 6, 2, 258, LB- 55 MCB Moore, 6, 2, 125, LB- 48 Anthony Hueckins, 6, 1, 231, LB- 48 Riley Williams, 5, 10-160, LC- 18 Marius Robertson, 6, 2, 175, FF- 25 Chad Welding, 6, 198, SS- 41 David Dole, 6, 1, 251
Series: In a rivalry that dates back to 1898, the Jayhawks have a 35-26-5 record against the Cyclones. Kansas has a 3-4 record against Iowa State in homecoming games.
History: The last two meetings of the two teams have been decided by a total of four points. The Cyclones won 13-10 last year in Lawrence and beat the Jayhawks 22-21 the year before in Ames.
Coverage: The Kansas- Iowa State game will be carried locally by the Kansas Jayhawk 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 JKHJ (90.7 FM) will also provide coverage.
move to Davis' spot and junior Dave Grattan would switch to Howard's guard spot if necessary.
Valesentre said the team's injuries were just another hurdle Kansas would have to overcome. He said playing a 1-5 Iowa State team at home did not make him prepare his
KANSAN graphic
team any differently or tell his team anything he hadn't said before the Nebraska game.
"Hopefully we can avoid the penalties and turnovers that have plagued us for most of the season," he said. "If we do that, everything else will fall into place."
Lack of parity in Big 8 insures top spots for Sooners and Huskers year after year
Staff writer
Bv CRAIG ANDERSON
Nebraska's 35-0 victory over Oklahoma State on Saturday pointed to a lack of parity that seems once again to have taken over the Big Eight Conference in football.
Oklahoma State came into the game ranked No. 12 in the nation by The Associated Press. The Cowboys were coming off a convincing 42-17 victory against Colorado and had an eight-game winning streak that spanned the last two seasons.
What unfolded, however, was a Nebraska domination of Oklahoma State. The "Husker offense pounded at the Cowboy defense for 617 total yards and 36 first downs. The Nebraska defense limited Oklahoma State to a little more than 250 yards in back attack. Thomas, who entered the game as the nation's leading rusher, was held to seven yards on nine carries.
Oklahoma and Nebraska dominate the Big Eight in football, while Kansas and the others lag far behind. Arnold Snell, one of KU's leading rushers, has 184 yards for the year thus far, while Lydell Carr, Oklahoma's No. 1 tailback, has 433 yards.
"The turning point of the game was when the Nebraska team got off the bus," said Oklahoma State coach Pat Jones.
Nebraska's defeat of Oklahoma State is not just a passing thing. The Cowboys haven't beaten the 'Huskers since 1961. Only once in the past nine years has Oklahoma State played Nebraska to within 10 points. What makes Nebraska look even stronger is the fact that they have dominated an Oklahoma State football program that has sent teams to bowl games four of the last seven seasons.
Results in the first half of this season have given no indication that any of the trends will be interrupted. The No. 2 ranked "Huskers have beaten non-Big Eight opponents Arizona State, Colorado, or which have good chances at going to bowl games.
The Cornhuskers seem to have a stronghold against every team in the conference except Oklahoma. Nebraska's winning streaks are impressive — 19 straight against Kansas; 18 straight against Kansas State; 23 of the last 26 against Iowa State; 18 of 19 against Colorado and eight straight against Missouri.
The bottom six teams in the Big Eight have been less than impressive. They have combined for a 10-13 record against non-Big Eight opposition. The bottom six teams have a pitiful 4-4 record this season
against Division 1-AA teams.
Valeante's team may not have been intimidated to play the 'Huskers, but it also never had a realistic chance to beat them. Good intentions are one thing, but there was no other member of Kansas or any other member of the Big Eight's "little six" can achieve the consistency that
Kansas coach Bob Valesente summed up how far the Jayhawks have to go to be able to compete in the playoff loss two weeks ago to Nebraska.
"We played hard for all but about four minutes in the fourth quarter," he said. "It's the first time since I've been here that we weren't intimidated playing Nebraska."
Nebraska or Oklahoma has attained.
"I don't know how long it's going to take to catch Nebraska and Oklahoma." Valesente said. "We're headed in the right direction, but we have a long way to go."
Nebraska and Oklahoma continually have dominated the Big Eight, but the question arises about whether they could dominate any other conference in the nation. A look at some of the former Big Ten champions during the past few seasons might shed light on the answer.
To start with, in the Southwest Conference, Oklahoma devastated conference champion Arkansas 42-8 in last year's Orange Bowl.
This season, Oklahoma routed Texas 49-19 in their annual shootout in Dallas. Texas may not have been able to compete with Oklahoma, but it is at the top of the SWC standings as the only team that hasn't lost a conference game.
Nebraska has carried the mantle of the "Big Two" very well against recent Southeastern Conference competition. The "Huskers have won eight consecutive bowl games against SEC opponents, including four victories in the last seven years. Only once in those four victories has the point spread been less than 14.
Members of the Pacific Ten Conference have offered little resistance to the Big Red tides in Norman, Okla., and Lincoln, Neb. There hasn't been much bowl action with the Pac-10 in the past few years, but regular season results have been telling. In the past four years, Nebraska and Oklahoma have a combined 5-1 victory over 6-0 teams houses UCLA, Arizona State and Washington. The average score of those six confrontations is: Big Eight. 36; Pac-10. 17.
The Big 10's biggest downfall against the Big Eight powerhouses seems to be guilt by association. They haven't had many confrontations with Nebraska or Oklahoma, but they do play the Pac-10 champion every year in the Rose Bowl. The Big-Ten champion has lost 12 of its last 13 games in the Rose Bowl.
There is no sign that any of the conference or national domination will end for Alabama or Nebraska. Both are ranked one-two in the wire service polls this week — a record eighth straight week by teams in the same conference in The Associated Press version.
Big Eight coaches say both teams will be tough to compete with this year.
"Nebraska and Oklahoma are the class of the country this season," Valesente said. "They do it year in and year out."
Colorado will play at Oklahoma this week, and Buffs coach Bill McCartney said his team would have its hands full.
"Oklahoma has the greatest talent of any college football team in the country," he said. "If I'm not mistaken, Oklahoma has been ranked either first, second or third in the N.C. Lions' and Auburn's a-half years. That's simply awesome and a tribute to their entire program."
Cards defeat Twins head for Minnesota with 3-2 Series lead
The Associated Press
ST. LOUIS — Curt Ford's two-run single and a lucky bounce brooke open a scoreless game in the sixth inning and the St. Louis Cardinals bounced back with a three-game sweep, beating the Minnesota Twins 2-4 last night for a 3-2 lead in the World Series.
Danny Cox shut out Minnesota on three hits for seven innings, and St Louis' speed pulled the Twins apart at the seams. The Cardinals stole five bases, tying a 1907 record, and three of those runners scored.
That put St. Louis one victory away from its 16th championship and sent the World Series back to the Metrodome, where Minnesota roped in the first two games. The Twins' 60-25 home record is the best in baseball, and the Cardinals' road record also was best.
There has never been a seven-game Series in which the home team won every game. Game six is scheduled for tomorrow with St. Louis' John Tudor, who won the third game, opposing Les Straker.
Last night's game was a reversal of four days ago, when Bert Blyleen won as the Twins shelled Cox, whose game seven shutout in the NL playoff series. Last week, Series, Blyleen's loss yesterday was his first in six postseason decisions.
Cox struck out six and walked three and was removed in the eighth inning.
den and Greg Gagne, both of whom scored.
Blyleen managed to stay out of trouble until the sixth, when St. Louis manufactured three runs.
After Tom Herr fouled off two bunt attempts and fouled out, Coleman and Smith executed a double steal with Dan Driessen at the plate. Twins catcher Tim Laudner, who throw out just 19 percent of base stealing attempts this year, dropped the pitch and did not make a throw, Coleman, who struck out at third base this year, later in the game got his sixth steal of the Series, one short of the Series record set by St. Louis' Lou Brock in 1967 and 1968.
Driessen was intentionally walked and Willie McGee was called out on strikes on three pitches before Ford, 2-for-2 with a walk against Blyleen in game two, lined a sharp single to the left and hit the chopper that shortstop Greg Gagne charged and misplayed, an error that allowed Driessen to score.
Vince Coleman led off with an apparent routine grounder to first baseman Kent Hrkeb. But the ball's second hop scooted off a seam and handcuffed Hrkeb, whose shovel toss to Blyleven was a late. Ozzie Smith followed Coleman's 45th lift hit of the season with his fourth bunt single of the year as Blyleven fumbled the ball on the third-base side.
NCAA staff to investigate Tennessee football team
The Associated Press
MISSION — The NCAA said yesterday that it has extended the probation of Tennessee's football team while it investigates published reports of rules violations and a cover-up in the school's own probe last year.
The probation imposed last year, stemming from reports of special favors to athletes, was scheduled to end Oct. 9.
The probation is extended indefinitely while the NCAA's enforcement staff investigates recent reports of alleged misconduct, according to a news release from the athletic association's communications office in Nashville.
"Members of the NCAA enforcement staff have met with Tennessee officials and, at the university's
request, the NCAA will conduct its own independent inquiry," the release said.
The NCAA would not comment further and did not say how long it expected the investigation to take.
The school is not under NCAA penalties at this time. The probation was called so the association could benefit from the university's corrective actions.
Tennessee Athletic Director Doug Dickey said school officials were eager to get the matter behind them and to cooperate with the NCAA in its probe.
"We have met with representatives of the NCAA and have given them all the information we have available regarding additional allegations that were presented in the SPORT magazine article," Dickey said in a prepared statement.