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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2008
SOCCER (CONTINUED FROM 1B)
but the season isn't over quite yet. The Jayhawks still play rival Missouri on Friday — a game with rather significant postseason implications.
A victory against Missouri would give the Jayhawks 12 for the season.
"Everybody I've talked to says you have to have a minimum of 12 wins to put yourself in a situation to get an at-large bid," coach Mark Francis said.
And there it is, the Jayhawks' goal for the season and the ultimate goal of the six Kansas seniors since they donned the crimson and blue: the NCAA tournament.
The members of the current senior class have done plenty of good things at Kansas. They've
won 40 games, compiled a .570 win percentage and twice finished in the top four of the Big 12 standings.
The one thing missing most from that list is a trip to the NCAA tournament. In fact, the seniors haven't ever made it past the first round of the Big 12 tournament.
"Obviously I've been dreaming about going to the NCAA tournament," senior Missy Geha said. "Today was a do or die situation. We had to win; we had to come out on top.
"Besides Senior Day, the most important thing today was for us to win. We still have the rest of the season in our control."
Kind of. The only sure way
Kansas can clinch an NCAA tournament berth is by winning the Big 12 tournament. But, as Geha said, "Win as many games as we possibly can and hopefully we'll get in."
And Baylor marked the first obstacle to reaching that point. By dispatching the Bears, the Jayhawks clinched a spot at the Big 12 tournament in San Antonio.
"It's sad to think that I'm not going to play on this field ever again," Geha said after the game. "But we have a lot left in our season and that's what I most excited about. I want to go as far as we possibly can."
Following Sunday's game against Baylor, the six seniors
wrapped their arms around each other. Some held flowers, others simply smiled.
It's been a series of hits and misses the past four years, from nearly making the tournament their first two years to the first time in six years that a Kansas team didn't post double digit-wins last season.
But that, Francis said, is what makes these seniors so memorable.
"This year they want it so bad," Francis said, "and for no other reason than that I really hope we're able to get the job done and still be playing here in a couple of weeks."
Edited by Kelsey Hayes
The loss was Kansas' worst since getting pounded 64-0 by Kansas State in 2002.
DUFEK (CONTINUED FROM 1B)
Like the Kansas basketball team, the Raiders drove the score up by using reserves. The back-up quarterback Taylor Potts even got in on the action, throwing for his first touchdown of the year. Tech put up 556 yards of total offense and punted only once in the game. Kansas, on the other hand, was held to a season-low total yard mark of 315.
Just 236 days after Texas Tech fans witnessed a stunning loss to a team that would go onto become National Champions, Kansas fans suffered a similar fate to a Texas Tech team that is now No. 6 in the country and in the
thick of the national title hunt We should use this
We should use this opportunity to grow closer to our Big 12 brethren. Give credit where it's due. Texas Tech dominated Kansas in a fashion it hasn't been in years, just as the Jayhawks did to the Red Raiders in basketball a year before.
However, it's time to turn the other cheek and wish Texas Tech luck this Saturday against Texas, because it sure hurts a lot less to lose by 42 points on homecoming if your opponent knocks off the No.1 team in the country the next week.
Edited by Becka Cremer
NFL
Despite quarterback woes, Chiefs shy away from Culpepper
ASSOCIATED PRESS
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs may not be as eager to sign former Pro Bowl quarterback Daunte Culpepper as many people thought.
Although adding the veteran quarterback to the roster remained a possibility, coach Herm Edwards indicated Monday that Culpepper may not even come in for an interview.
Culpepper, a three-time Pro Bowler with Minnesota, is the biggest name out there who might be available. And the Chiefs have had a big quarterback need since their top two, Brodie Croyle and Damon Huard, went out for the year with injuries.
Edwards said. "There's conversation involved in it and that's kind of where it's at."
Culpepper acts as his own agent. But Edwards said it was possible he will not be brought to town for a face-to-face interview.
But third-teamer Tyler Thigpen, in just his second NFL start, played much better than expected in a 28-24 loss to the New York Jets on Sunday.
"Correct. That's exactly right." Edwards said.
Gray and put him behind fourteer Inagle Martin.
Before suffering a serious knee injury in 2005, Culpepper was one of the league's most productive quarterbacks.
"You know, we've got one veteran," Edwards said. "He's played in some games. I think that helps you when you get a guy who plays the way (Thigpen) played. You go, Wait, wait, this guy did pretty good." I think he gave everybody some confidence, not only himself but also the team."
Last week the Chiefs signed former Jacksonville back Quinn
After throwing three interceptions in a 38-14 loss to Atlanta on Sept. 21 in his first NFL start, Thigpen went eyeball-to-eyeball with Brett Favre on Sunday and never blinked. He was 25-for-36 for 280 yards and two touchdowns and was never intercepted.
Rookie Jamal Charles, who had most of the Chiefs' carries against the Jets, had gone to the sideline with a high ankle sprain. Former Pro Bowler Larry Johnson continues to be deactivated pending review by the NFL over simple
with a late touchdown pass after the Chiefs went three-and-out on three straight runs by backup runner Kolby Smith.
Favre threw three interceptions, but salted away the 41st come-from-behind win in his great career
He retired prior to this season following one-year stays with Miami and Oakland but has indicated he would like to come out of retirement, and has spoken with Kansas City more than once.
assault charges and if Charles is not back this week, rookie kick returner Dantrell Savage would be the only other running back on the roster.
"That's not a done deal by any stretch of the imagination,"
To help Thigpen, the Chiefs changed their offense to things that would suit him, going with more no-huddle, spreading the offensive formation, what the Chiefs call "red ball."
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Tyler Thippen thighs over New York Jets' Calvin Pace during the third quarter of an NFL football game in East Rutherford, N.J., on Sunday.
Senator Marci Francisco is the green candidate
Marci Francisco voted against the bills allowing construction of new coal-fired plants.
in the 2nd District State Senate race
"I've definitely talked to him a lot more than I did before," Ritchie said. "We probably talk four times a week because something always comes up with compliance things in the office or certain situations on how to handle the players or whatever. There's constantly things coming up and I look to him for advice."
Kansas and South Dakota State
www.marciforsenate.com Paid for by Marci for Senate Sally Hayden, Treasurer
Although Ritchie is still trying to learn the ropes as a head coach, he knows who he can call for advice anytime he needs it — his father.
PRICE (CONTINUED FROM 1B)
Ritchie was an assistant at South Dakota State in 2008 under Reggie Christiansen, a former assistant coach at Kansas. When Christiansen submitted his resignation during the summer, some South Dakota State players called Athletics Director Fred Oien to recommend Ritchie for the head coaching spot.
"It was a life-changing event because I had played baseball my entire life." Ritchie said of the quick end to his playing career. "It happened sooner than I wanted but I knew that ultimately I wanted to be a coach."
"I definitely make it a point to separate myself and keep the coach-player relationship." Ritchie said. "But at the same time, being a younger guy, I think I can relate to the players and understand what they are going through. I think the fact that I had a successful playing career gives me a little bit of instant credibility with them, which also helps."
Ritchie's mother, Cindy, called Ryne to tell him the good news about his brother. At first, he said he could only chuckle.
"I was like, 'What? He's a head coach? Man, that's tight.'" Ryne said. "It's pretty crazy to think he's a head coach, but I'm pumped for him."
The South Dakota State team went 22-27 last season and finished fifth in the Summit League. He is facing the tough task of not only being a first-year coach, but also having to lead players who are just a few years younger than he is.
used to play annually in Lawrence, but the games were taken off the schedule because Ritchie didn't want to have to coach against one his brothers. Robby, the third brother in the Price family, is a junior at Kansas this season and is on the baseball team and should graduate after the 2010 season.
Both Ritch and Ritchie are talking about renewing the series in 2011, meaning that Ritchie would have a chance to coach against the man who taught him to love the game of baseball.
"My dad never forced the game on any of us," Ritchie said. "He just tried to make it fun and enjoyable for us, and it worked. We just fell in love with it."
Edited by Lauren Keith
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