wednesday, November 5,2003
sports
the university daily kansan
5B
Missouri improves pass defense
The Associated Press
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy had a small but significant role in the turnaround of the Missouri defense.
Last year, the Tigers ranked 11th in the Big 12 Conference in total defense, surrendering 450 yards per game. The biggest problem was in the secondary — Missouri ranked near the bottom nationally in pass defense, allowing 282 yards per game.
Coach Gary Pinkel found part of the answer in Dungy and his defensive schemes. Pinkel and his staff spent time with Dungy and his defensive staff trying to fix Missouri's problems.
"That was significant because we had to go a different direction," said Pinkel, whose Tigers (6-2, 2-2 Big 12) play at Colorado (3-6, 1-4) Saturday. "The things we came here from Toledo with that in this league we felt we needed to do other things."
Excluding Missouri's 62-31 victory over high-powered Texas Tech on Oct. 25, the defensive ranking would be even higher. And while the Missouri secondary yielded 437 passing yards, it was well below the 527 passing yards the Red Raiders averaged.
Junior college transfer Nino Williams has become the best addition and possibly the biggest impact player. He is third on the team with 69 tackles, including 55 solo tackles.
The Tigers had to start from almost scratch in the secondary. Antoine Duncan and Tauras Ferguson departed and Brandon Barnes moved from safety to linebacker.
Williams came to Missouri as a junior college all-America cornerback from Tyler Junior College in Texas. Since his arrival, he has bulked up 20 pounds on his 6-1 frame to 30 pounds, and moved to free safety, where he has brought a new attitude to a secondary that lacked one.
"I call him 'the mouth of the south'" senior Michael Harden said. "He's from down south, Oklahoma. Every play you hear him talking."
"A good defense has to have its own distinction from other people. I just try and bring a little more flavor and keep everyone relaxed." Williams said.
A second new face is outside safety Dedrick Harrington, a redshirt freshman from Mexico. Mo.
"He was a national recruit,' Pinkel said. "He could have gone anywhere in the country he wanted to go, and luckily he chose us. You're going to see the athleticism come out."
Calvin Washington, a sophomore redshirt last season, beat out A.J. Kincade for the other starting corner spot. Coaches describe him as a consistent open-field tackler and a good cover corner.
Tiger fights to stay No.1 in world
The Associated Press
HOUSTON —The last time Tiger Woods came to Champions Golf Club, he had only one victory in his previous eight tournaments, nearly missed the cut at a major championship and wasn't in contention at two others.
Yes, he was still No. 1 in the world.
The difference is that two years ago, no one had any illusions of replacing him.
"I feel like my game right now is as strong as it's been," Vijay Singh said recently during his climb to No.2, his highest ranking ever.
Ernie Els knows how the world ranking works.
The Big Easy understands the distance between him (No. 3) and Woods is about as wide as the oceans Els crosses while playing a worldwide schedule.
"I just want to play as good as I can and try and become No. 1," Els said.
But he has won seven times this year, and believes his best is still to come.
That goal would have been laughable 16 months ago, when Woods won the Masters and U.S.
Open, and the gap between him and everyone else was more like a gulf.
Are Singh and Els playing so well that No. 1 is a possibility?
Singh has won or finished second in his last four PGA Tour events, and he has been in the top 10 at every tournament but one since the Fourth of July. Numbers aside, he is overpowering courses like Woods, and the belly putter has finally given him confidence on the greens.
Singh only needs to finish in a three-way for third this week no matter what Woods does—to win the PGA Tour money title.
Woods has won the title four years in a row.
Els' record doesn't look as impressive to those with narrow minds or short memories.
He hasn't won on the PGA Tour since winning the first two in Hawaii, although he has won more than anyone this year while logging about 100,000 miles in the air.
Singh has a $768,464 lead on the money list, and it didn't happen by accident.
What does that say about Woods, who has played in nine fewer events?
least that many.
Nick Price is the only other player to have won five times in one season over the last 20 years.
Catching Tiger is all about perception.
Why is this his best chance?
Because the big Fijian doesn't expect to play this well next year?
Or because he doesn't expect Woods to leave the door this far open?
Els' ambitions are more a product of Jos Vanstiphout, the Belgian mind guru who keeps beating into Els' head to worry about his own game.
Still, replacing him at No.1 in the world ranking will take more than talk.
Els has proven to be the most consistent rival to Woods over the last five years.
It will take more than a good year.
Goosen said. "It's going to be more difficult for Tiger to win week-in and week-out. There's going to be so many more guys that can win.
Woods is never too far from the lead at any tournament, and his mediocre seasons are career years for everyone else (Singh, Davis Love III, Kenny Perry).
"The whole standard of the tour has improved," Retief
And they probably feel if they have a great couple of years, they've got a chance to move very close to him."
Thomas Bjorn once said the gap between Woods and everyone else is as large as Woods wants it to be.
Closing the gap on Woods depends more on his game than those behind him.
"As long as Tiger keeps his level at 75 percent, they can't catch him for a long time," Rocco Mediate said. "If he goes crazy, it's over. If one of those guys goes out and wins two or three majors, that's a different story."
Singh and Els no doubt have cranked up their games a notch. They are closer to Woods than they were two years ago. That they can even talk about being No.1 no longer seems like such a stretch.
"At least it now seems like there's some light," Mediate added. "But Tiger says, 'I'm about to put the light out, boys. I'm not putting up with this any more.'"
Yankees bring in new hitting coach
Former first baseman returns to Yankees
The Associated Press
NEW YORK - Donnie Baseball is coming back to the Bronx.
Mattingly replaces Rick Down.
Don Mattingly has been persuaded by owner George Steinbrenner to become this season's New York Yankees' hitting coach.
Down was fired last week after
New York hitjust.140 with runners in scoring position during its six-game loss to
"It was kind of a unanimous decision," Mattingly said yesterday.
He discussed taking the job with his wife and children and said the kids told him, "Go dad, go and do it."
Willie Randolph, who had been third-base coach for the last 10 years, becomes bench coach in place of Don Zimmer.
Zimmer quit the day after the Series loss, saying he would never again work for Steinbrenner.
Lee Mazzilli, the first-base coach for the past four years, replaces Randolph as third-base coach — unless Baltimore hires Mazzilli as its manager.
Luis Sojo, who played in parts of seven seasons with the Yankees from 1996 through this year, takes over for Mazzilli as first base coach.
Rich Monteleone remains as the bulpen coach, and Gary Tuck stays as the catching instructor.
Florida in the World Series.
Mel Stottlemyre, who became pitching coach when Joe Torre took over as manager before the 1996 season, said after the World Series he will take several weeks
"It was back on the road and I didn't want to go back on the road. I didn't want to be gone."
Done Mattingly
New York Yankees' hitting coach
before deciding whether to return.
Mattingly, known as Donnie Baseball, was the 10th Yankees captain.
He held the position from 1991-95. He was the last captain until Steinbrenner gave Derek Jeter the title in June.
Mattingly hit .307 with 222 homers and 1,099 RBIs in a career that lasted from 1982 to 1995, when he retired because of back trouble.
He won nine Gold Glove awards at first base,won the 1984 American League batting title and was voted for the league's MVP award the following year.
His No.23 was retired by the team in 1997, and he returned to the field three years later as the team's spring training instructor.
He said then he didn't want a full-time baseball job, wanting to watch his three children grow up.
Mattingly's oldest son, Taylor, was selected by the Yankees out of Evansville (Ind.) Central High School in the 42nd round of the amateur draft in June.
He hit .224 for the Gulf Coast Yankees with no extra-base hits and seven RBIs in 58 at-bats that season.
When the Yankees fired Chris Chambliss as hitting coach after the 2000 season, Mattingly was contacted by Torre.
"It was back on the road, and I didn't want to go back on the road," Mattingly said then. "I didn't want to be gone."
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Find out how to plan how much post-retirement income you'll need. Plus, see options for receiving your money, and strategies for preserving and protecting your nest egg.
Date: Wednesday, November 19, 2003
Time: 2:00pm - 3:15pm
Place: Kansas Union, Pine Room
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See why you need an estate plan...what to do about estate taxes...pros and cons of corporate and individual trust arrangements...and much more.
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Date: Thursday, November 20, 2003
Time: 2:00pm - 3:15pm
Place: Kansas Union, Regionalist Room
One-on-One Counseling
We will also be offering one-on-one counseling sessions on 11/19/03-11/20/03.
RSVP:
Register on our website at www.tiaa-cref.org/moc or call Teresa Nicholson at 1 800 842-2006
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Student Photo Contest
Take the pictures with your own camera and return the undeveloped film to the SUA box office (you will get your deposit back then).
Pick up a 24 exposure roll of black & white film from the SUA box office with a $3 deposit.
Categories:
Portrait
Nature
Light/Shadow
Spirit of a Jayhawk
Abstract
Reflection
Best Roll
Best in Show *
TimeLine
*No Additional Cash Prize will be given for best in show
Pick Up Film: Nov 3-Nov 21
From the SUA Box office, Level 4 KS Union
Film Due by: Nov 21
To the SUA Box Office
Reception: December 2
Prizes Awarded At Reception
Exhibition: Dec 2 - Dec 11
Jan 23 - Jan 30
Kansas Union Gallerv, M-F 10am-5pm, FREI
student union activities
The University of Kansas
Level 4, Kansas Union
785-864-SHOW
www.suevents.com
A play based on the true story of a young woman's relationship that begins as love and ends in tragedy.
The Yellow Dress
Come see the The Yellow Dress and do your part to help prevent relationship violence and sexual assault.
Alumni Center, 1266 Oread Ave. (parking across the street in the Union parking lot)
Thursday, November 6, 7:00 pm
Presented by:
Emily Taylor Women's Resource Center, Rape Victim-Survivor Service,
Women's Transitional Care Services,
KU Public Safety Office, Womyn's Empowerment Action Coalition,
Working Against Violence Everywhere,
Deana's Fund, and Student Senate