University Daily Kansan / Monday, September 28, 1987
Sports
9
Turnovers leave questions for KU football team
Bv CRAIG ANDERSON
Joe Wilkins III Special to the KANBI Louisiana Tech running back Garlon Powell glides over the KU defense. Powell was the Bulldogs' leading rusher Saturday with 110 yards.
It was hard to decide what was the most fascinating aspect of the eight turnovers Kansas committed Saturday in its 16-11 loss to Louisiana Tech.
Usually when a team loses possession of the ball so many times, the result is a rout. That wasn't the case for Kansas, however, as the team played its most competitive game of the season. The Jayhawks had a chance to win the game in the fourth quarter before senior quarterback Mike O'rourk threw his third and final interception.
Maybe the most interesting part was the flurry of turnovers that occurred in the first half. In a span of a little over 13 minutes during the first and second quarters, Kansas committed five miscues.
That total doesn't even count the Jayhawks' first offensive series of the game. A Louisiana Tech defense lineman appeared to have injured in his arms a pass by steward John Dunn, who hose that was batted into the air at the line of scrimmage. But the lineman dropped the ball.
"Turnovers happen to a team in a slump," said Kansas coach Bob Valesente. "If I knew the answers to turnovers I would make a lot of coaches because I think every coach in America would like to know."
At times during the game, Kansas was losing possession at a faster rate than 1.0. ranked Oklahomans in the 65-9 victory over Tulsa.
What seemed even more amazing was that despite the five first- half turnovers, Kansas went into halftime with a 5-3 lead. It was the game this season that the Jayhawks had been ahead in a game.
That lead was short-lived, however, as an Orth interception 5 minutes into the third quarter set up a short Bulldog scoring drive that resulted in a touchdown. The interception was just a small part in what turned out to be a long game for Orth.
Orth completed only three of his last 25 pass attempts and threw three interceptions in the second half. Orth also overthrew his potential receivers for most of the game. After the game, he spent little time talking about his performance.
"You go into every game ready," he said. "That's all I'm going to say."
Orth replaced Dohonoe in the first quarter after Donohoe threw interceptions in two of the Jaya hawks' first three offensive drives.
When Orth proved ineffective, Valesante said he gave some thought to bringing in the Jayhawks back, freshman Kevin Verdugo.
"Orth was just so loose and ready to go." Valesante said. "I believed right up until the end that we were going to win the ball game."
The Kansas turnover and quarterback miseries seemed to overshadow good performances by the weak defense and running game.
"We had some success," said senior fullback Mike Rogers. "We were running straight up the hill, and we made these turnovers and win the game."
The longest Louisiana Tech drive of the game was only 36 yards. Sticking to the turnover paradox, that was the drive in the second half, scored by scoring the touchdown. Kansas would never lead again.
In the first half, the Jayhawk defense was especially impressive. On only one of Louisiana Tech's twelve first-half drives did the Kansas defense give up a first down.
"I was happy to see that we made some improvement," junior linebacker Rick Clayton said. "I wasn't happy that we lost, though. We came in expecting to beat them and beat them bad."
Senior cornerback Milt Garner said mistakes killed any chances the Jayhawks had to end their 10-5 win streak that spans two seasons.
"This game feels worse than Kent State, because we really should have won today." he said.
cornerback Mike Fisher for the remainder of the season for disciplinary reasons. Fisher happened to be featured on the front cover of the Kansas football game program for Louisiana Tech.
For the most part, the Kansas running game also looked good. Junior tailback Darryl Terrell rushed for 97 yards in 21 carries. In its first two games, the entire team had rushed for only 97 yards. LaSente praised the improved running game, but only to a point.
"I was happy that we were able to run for more yards," he said. "I offered five lines was coming off the belt but I wasn't enough for us to win, though."
Senior offensive tackle Bob Pieper returned to action Saturday after missing the first two games of the season because of a knee injury. While he said he was glad he made the field, he seemed more concerned with team's attitude after losing its third straight game this season.
"It's tough to take a loss like this," Pieter said. "People need to take a look down inside of us and realize that takes for ourselves to be a better
football team "
In a season of tough losses and bad breaks, the coincidence seemed almost to be expected.
After the game, Valesente took a look at the flood of reporters and cameras around him and decided he'd better change his position.
"I'd better talk with my back against the wall because I'm sure some of you want to stick a spear into it," he said to the media.
While Valesente was antiping what was on the minds of the media, perhaps the fiercest barbs came from fans in the stands. Late Friday, when some disgruntled fans held up a sign that read "So long, Coach Val."
In a move made before the game, Valesente suspended senior
Back arrives just in time for game, has big day
By ANNE LUSCOMBE Staff writer
Mike Rogers was listed as the starting fullback for Kansas on Saturday. But, until he arrived at Memorial Stadium, suited up and ready to play, there was a lingering doubt in the minds of the coaches as to whether he would step onto the field.
Rogers himself was unsure. He drove home to Smith Center on Friday morning after his aunt died suddenly of an aneurysm. He left at 6:30 a.m. Saturday to make it back for the game.
"I had to miss the funeral because it was today, but I was there for the wake. That is when the shock really hits, at the wake." Rogers said after the game. "It was up to me to come back. The team was in trouble, and we pressure on me. But I have an obligation to these guys and to the team."
Rogers fulfilled his obligation in the best way he knew how - by playing.
Performing his duties as a fullback, Rogers rushed for 33 yards on 11 carries. But it was his play as a receiver that earned him career honors and allowed him to make almost half of the 143 yards Kansas accumulated in the air. Rogers gained 70 yards on five receptions, including a career-best 43-yard catch.
"I just felt good that it was tna situation. We had to get down there and we had to get the yards to put a position to win the game." he said.
The reception came on a drive that ended in a touchdown for Kansas. Rogers' carry gave the Jayhawks a much-needed first down in the touchdown drive that brought in the content for the game. Howey scored the Jayhawks failed to score for the remainder of the game, losing 16-11.
Rogers is not particular about how he adds up vardage.
"It doesn't matter if I catch or run the ball. I just like to carry the ball," he said.
"Mike is an excellent, fine and gutsy young man. I didn't know if he would come back after his aunt died, but he did and put a outguy performance. He is a level-headed person, pleasure to work with." Huff said.
Offensive coordinator Gary Huff was extremely pleased with Rogers' performance.
Play at plate fires Twins to 8-1 victory
The Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS — Even with all the cannons in the Minnesota Twins' line-up, a little pistol named Al Newman made the key play that enabled the Twins to clinch at least a tie for the American League West title.
Kirby Puckett, Gary Gaetti and Kent Hrbek homeed in the Twins' five-run first inning Sunday. But it was Newman's stellar defensive play at second base in the top of the inning that shifted all the momentum to Minnesota in the Twins' 8-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals.
The triumph lowered the magic number to one for the Twins, who last week won.
"It was a key play for me," said Bert Blyleven, who pitched a five-hitter. "If he doesn't get Wilson at the plate, it's 1-0 and that might have changed the mood of the whole game."
A record crowd greeted the Twins with a three-minute standing ovation, but Blyleen, 15-11, almost burst the fans' bubble. He walked lead-off batter Willie Wilson and gave up a single to Kevin Seitzer.
But George Brett then grounded sharply to Gaetti at third, who went on to win second. Newman quickly freed a stray ball, nailing Wilson for the double play.
"That got the crowd into the game," Newman said. "When you've got first and third with George Brett at the plate, you can only expect the play. I don't make the play, I'm the goat. I couldn't believe it made, myself."
Royals Manager John Wathan said, "A play like that can make the momentum shift. Give Newman and the Twins credit. It was just a matter of time, with their power, till they hit some out."
Neither could the Royals, who have to win all six of their games and hope the Twins lose all six of theirs just to tie Minnesota for the title.
Blyleen, pitching on three days' rest because of Joe Niekro's hip injury, struck out eight and walked two.
KU catcher Troy Mentzer slides safely into homeplate as Barton County Community College catcher Chris Humphrey looks for the ball. The Jayhawks beat Barton County 5-2 yesterday in the first of three five-inning scrimmages at Hoglund-Maupin Stadium.
Scott Carpenter/KANSAN
Mets manager fears losing job
NEW YORK — New York Mets manager Davey Johnson said he thought he might be fired yesterday after a published report quoted him as asking for his contract to be renegotiated.
"I figured I was fired. Frank would have been right in firing me," Johnson said of general manager Frank Cashen in a 40-minute talk with the Meets beat Pittsburgh 12-3. "I was looking for (pink) slips."
According to Johnson, Cashen told
The Associated Press
him in an Aug. 26 meeting that his contract would not be renegotiated without the manager bringing up the subject.
However, in a column in Sunday's New York Times, Johnson was quoted as saying: "Frank said flat out, 'I'm not extending your contract.' That tells me he didn't like the job I did this season."
Johnson claimed the report was inaccurate and called a team meet
"I had a little meeting today to clarify some things with the balclub.
Johnson said he initiated the Aug. 26 discussion with Cashen to apologize for unspecified actions of his earlier in the year when the Mets suffered injuries to key pitchers and Dwight Gooden's admission of cocaine use.
Some of the things that were printed were not factual," Johnson said. "I wanted to apologize to them."
"I wanted to apologize for some things," Johnson said. "I was trying to give him a blanket apology. He wrote new statements that kind of shook me."
Walks help Jayhawks to victory in baseball
Staff writer
By DARRIN STINEMAN
The Kansas baseball team has been winning some ugly baseball games, but they are winning.
The Jayhawks were the beneficiaries of 24 walks by the Barton County Community College pitching staff yesterday in a 24-19 victory. Kansas scored 11 runs in the eighth inning on two single singles. Seven were walked in.
A 15-inning scrimimage game was played, allowing the teams to use starting pitchers at the beginning of each five-inning interval. It also allowed them to use relief pitchers in late-innings situations three times, but the Kansas relievers had little success.
The Jayhawk bullpen gave up nine runs in the disasterous seventh inning and a walk, as Steve McGinnis on the ropes after giving up four earned runs in 1½
The Kansas pitchers were in no position to snicker at the opposing pitchers, as they walked 18 themselves. The walks combined with frequent errors to make it a long afternoon and evening.
"I feel good about the way I've been throwing in juco games," he said, "but in (in-squad) scrimmage games I haven't done as well. I get up more for the juce games."
The fall season continues Thursday when the Jayhawks meet Allen County Community College at Hoglund Game time is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
One of the Jayhawks' young pitchers, left-hander Darin Harris, continued his successful fall season, winning matches without allowing an earned run.
innings, freshman left-hander Danny Lamb came on. Lamb's first pitch was hit for a single, driving in two more runs. Lamb went on to give up four earned runs while retiring only one batter.
Kansas coach Dave Bingham said the problems McGinness and Lamb faced were similar.
Volleyball team loses two in Iowa during weekend
Bingham said he was disappointed that Lamb hadn't shown he could be effective out of the bullpen. "That's what this is all about. We threw freshmen and some guys coming off injuries today. It's just a matter of having young guys throw," he said.
By a Kansan reporter
The KU volleyball team lost two matches over the weekend, extending its losing streak to seven matches.
Iowa State defeated the Jay-
hawks 8-15, 7-15, 15-12, 15-2, 15-12
Saturday night in Ames.
"Iowa State is tough at home, but sometimes, we're our own worst enemy." KU coach Frankie Albizt said. "Judy Desch hit the ball in our first two games. Monica (Spencer) played well and Jodi (Oelschlager) passed and hit really well."
On Sunday. Northern Iowa
defeated Kansas 11-15, 15-4, 15-1, 13-15, 15-3 in Cedar Falls.
"Obviously, we were not very consistent." Albizt said. "Elsa Woods was our top hitter and Tammy Hill also hit the ball well."
Kansas, 4-9 overall and 0-2 in the Big Eight Conference, will play Kansas State in Manhattan at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in its next match.
"We're making a lot of mental errors now and that's really hurting us," Albitz said. "We played a lot of subs this weekend. They didn't play very well at Iowa State, but they played well (Sunday)."
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