10 University Daily Kansan, September 2, 1982 'Hawks deep at skill positions By GINO STRIPPOLI Sports Editor Sports Editor Depth at the skill positions, something that has been lacking from Kansas football for a long time, will play well against Stadium this year with a vengeance. Three tailbacks, four when Kerwin Bell is eligible, three fullbacks, three quarterbacks and at least six wide receivers hope to combine to bring Kansas Jayhawk fans the most explosive offense they have ever seen. "On paper, our offense has the capability to explode at any time," Morris Watts, KU's new offensive coordinator, said. "We won't really get into actual game situation, but the talent is there." Leading the way for the offense is Frank Seurer. Seurer, an All-Big Eight performer, will try to avert the early season slump that he went through last year, after being billed as one of the top quarterbacks in the league. "I DIDN'T live up to my pre-season hype last year," Seurer said in August. "This year, I'm just going to relax and play the best I can." If Seurer plays the best he can, the Jayhawks should have a very successful campaign. After the Oklahoma game last year, Seurer had four consecutive games of over 150 yards of total offense. On the season, Seurer completed 89 of 176 passes for 1,199 yards with a career-high 209 yards against the Colorado Buffaloes. He had two games of over 200 yards total offence, 210 against Colorado and 223 against Texas. He was one of eight Offensive Player of the Week for his play in the Iowa State game. "Frank's done a real good job of grasping the changes we've made in the offense," Watts said. "He is with the offense and that really helps a team." "There are a lot of different offences a quarterback could run and I think Frank could fit in with any of them. He could throw the ball 80 times a game, he could throw the ball to do all of his things, like calling audibles and running the option." SEURER WILL be back up by Mike Frederick and Mike Bohn. Frederick, a sophomore, saw his first real varsity action in the Hall of Fame with a strong arm, and has a strong arm, Bohn, a senior, has a strong arm and has been battling Frederick for the No. 2 position behind Seurier all fall. The tailback position is one of the strongest on the team with Dino Bell in the starting position at this time. Bell will be backed up by Dave Geroux, a freshman, and last year's leading ground gainer, Garfield Taylor. Bell rushed for 133 yards in spot duty last year with a career high of 87 yards against the Kansas State Wildcats. In the K-State game, Bair raced 37 yards for a touchdown in the Jayhawks' 17-14 victory. "Dino is a tough, hard-nosed runner who will get you the tough yard." Don McLeary, KU running back, said. "He reads his blocks well and has good hands coming out of the back-field." No. 2 on the list right now is Geroux. Geroux, who was moved to tailback from fullback, has adjusted to his new position surprisingly fast. "I WAS surprised with the amount of football sense he had for a freshman." McLeary said. "He is a complete back. He can run, is a fine blocker and can catch the ball coming out of the backfield. "He's not a flashy back, but he is very consistent." Taylor, a senior, is still recovering from a sprained ankle suffered in the team's first scrimmage over a week ago. It is not known whether Taylor will play, but Watts said he expected him back. The fullback position, unlike last year, is set. The starting slot goes to E.J. Jones, backed up by Harvey Fields and Charlie Cooper. Jones, a junior, has made a great adjustment to fullback after starting his career at linebacker. He is a tough runner, gaining 189 yards on 61 carries. Jones was never thrown for a loss in his 61 carries. "LAST YEAR, the fullback position was very questionable." McLeya said. "But when we started playing E.J. at backhill, we started winning. "The backs have to do three things to make this team a winner. First, they must hold on to the ball and not make mistakes. Second, they must get the ball into their hands before their blooming. Third, they have to complement each other by blocking." The receiver position may not be the best position on the team, but it definitely has the deepest talent. Wayne Capers tops the flanker position. An All-Bight Eight performer, Capers caught 36 passes for 629 yards and four touchdowns. He averaged 17.4 yards a catch and his 629 yards was the third best mark for a single season by a Jayhawk. Capers was named Big Eight Offensive Player of the Week following the Colorado game in which he caught five runs on the all-time receiver lists at Kansas. Capers will be back up by Darren Green. Green, a junior from Lawrence, has been one of the most improved players for the Jayhawks. Coach Dumbrough said after the team's first game that he was in a great fall. The only thing keeping Green off the field is all-conference receiver Capers. THE THIRD man at this position is Darley Daw, Davis, a senior, is another fine receiver and would probably be playing for most Big Eight teams. In his first year at Eastern Arizona Junior college, he caught 33 passes for 734 yards. At the atter receiver position, Russ Bastin and Bobby Johnson lead the way. The two, as they did last year, will play in the huddle from the sidelines. Johnson, a junior, caught 13 passes for 207 yards and a touchdown. Bastin caught 16 passes for 221 yards and is a good receiver in a crowd. Freshman Rich Estell is the third in line at this position. Estell, a high school All-American, was one of the most highly touted players signed by the dayhawks. Estell has been compared with past KU great. David Verser. "This is the best group of receivers I have ever had," Larry Kirsutky, KSU's new receiver coach, said. "They have everything we ask of them." WHEAT MEET'82 THE TIGHT END position is the most competitive of all the skill positions. The battle now is between Sylvester Byrd and Ernie Wright. "Sylvester and Ernie are competing every day for the position as a starter." ADVENTURE a bookstore • Phone orders accepted • Stamp & Coin supplies to be more involved in our passing game, since most teams are starting to double-cover the outside receivers. In one-coverage against the tight end. "Both Sylvester and Ernie will play." Wright and Byrd aren't the only players fighting for playing time at tight. Kirksey said that both Pat Kelly and Jeff Anderson may also see some action down the line. Jim Boishka, a senior from Wichita, also may see some action at both tight EDITOR'S NOTE - This is the first in a four-part series detailing the 1982 Kansas Jayhawks' football team. Tomorrow's story will cover the offensive line. Subsequent stories will feature the defensive line and the specialty teams, and the linebackers and defensive backs. The Jayhawks open their season against the Wichita State Shockers on Sept. 11 at Memorial Stadium. "We moved Kelly from fullback and he has made the transition well," Kirksey said. "Anderson's a freshman on the right position before, but he has played well." Scoreboard Baseball AMERICAN LEAGUE East W. I. Pct. GB Milwaukee 74 53 58 Boston 72 59 57 Baltimore 73 58 587 5 New York 67 64 511 11 Cincinnati 67 64 511 11 Cleveland 61 67 477 15% Toronto 61 73 455 15% Atlanta 75 38 564 - 1 Denver 75 38 564 - 1 San Diego 68 68 551 - 1 San Francisco 66 67 496 - 1 Houston 63 70 494 12 Chicago 91 70 494 12 W. L. Pct. GB St. Louis 70 54 39 Philadelphia 70 59 40 Milwaukee 71 62 534 Pittsburgh 71 62 534 18% Chicago 79 35 440 17% New York 75 440 18% West Kansas City 75 77 569 California 78 77 587 1/8 Colorado 79 82 493 7/8 Oklahoma 62 70 479 3/4 Texas 62 70 479 3/4 Tennessee 62 70 397 3/4 Baltimore 5, Toronto 2 Detroit 5, California 3 Cheicago 6, Cleveland 0 Minnesota 7, New York 2 Texas 7, Kansas City 8 Miami 7, Atlanta NATIONAL LEAGUE NATIONAL CONFERENCE Denver 2 1 0 1.000 77 51 San Diego 2 1 0 667 67 62 Kansas City 1 1 1 500 33 40 Racers 1 1 1 500 33 40 Seattle 1 1 0 333 34 39 W. L. T. Pct. Ppf. BP. Baltimore 2 3 0 0 85 94 Buffalo 2 3 0 0 85 94 Miami 1 1 1 500 55 41 New York 1 1 1 500 55 41 New England 1 1 1 500 55 74 W. L. T. L. Ptt. PF. PA 63 Dalton 2 1 1 0 0 0 64 Philia 1 2 0 1 0 0 53 St. Louis 1 2 0 333 23 32 Glastonbury 1 2 0 333 23 32 Washington 1 2 0 340 24 42 Atlanta 2 1 0 667 47 72 New Orleans 2 1 0 333 43 75 San Fran. 1 2 0 333 39 53 L.A. Rams 1 2 0 333 66 72 Green Bay 0 0 1 0 000 62 69 41 Tampa Bay 2 1 1 0 667 69 41 Detroit 2 1 0 667 69 41 Detroit 2 2 1 0 600 71 64 Chicago 2 2 1 0 333 51 52 Football AMERICAN CONFERENCE Smithson scattered six hits, walked one and hit two batters in collecting the ball. Pittsburgh 3 0 0 1.000 74 45 Cleveland 3 0 0 1.000 74 45 Houston 2 1 0 867 39 39 Cincinnati 0 1 0 70 34 KC loses again; benches clear By United Press International AMERICAN CONFERENCE Foot Wright gave the Rangers a 2-1 lead in the third with an inside-the-park homer down the right-field line that skipped past right fielder Jerry Martin and KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Rookie George Wright and third baseman Buddy Bell hit homers last night to help Mike Smithson collect his first major-league victory in the 'Texas Rangers' 7-3 decision over the Kansas City Royals in a game marked by a benches-clearing incident. Texas scored four runs in the fourth to chase loser Paul Splittorr, 9-8. Bell's solo homer into the left-field bleachers in the fifth, his 13th home run of the year, completed the Rangers' scoring. Frank White led off the third for Kansas City and was hit on the left elbow by Smithson. Two outs later, U.L. Washington doubled down the left-field line to score White, and George Brett doubled down the right-field line to score Washington. Amos Otis, the next batter, was hit on the Otis was ejected from the game by plate mirem Paper Johnson and both dugouts emptied onto the field. No punches were thrown. rolled along the base of the wall. Bucky who had singled, scored ahead of Wright. In Olis' next at-bat, in the sixth, he swung at the first pitch and the bat ended up behind the Rangers' dugout in the stands. On the next pitch, Otis swung and the bat skipped between third baseman Bell and shortstop Dent the next pitch. The Otis struck out on the next pitch and the bat flew toward center field. 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