Sports
The University Daily Kansan
Big 12 Conference football games ended in several unexpected results this weekend. Marshall defeated Kansas State, while Baylor picked up its second victory. PAGE6A
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sports commentary
tuesday, September 23, 2003
Ryan Greene rgreene@hansan.com
Returner must learn fair catch
It was late in the second half last Saturday when freshman receiver Charles Gordon went deep to return a Jacksonville State punt. As the ball sailed through the clear night skies, Gordon's attention was focused squarely at the ball spiraling down towards him.
What he didn't see was something every other person in Memorial Stadium saw — a Jacksonville defender barreling downfield, with a clear path to knock Gordon's block off.
As the ball reached Gordon, he was plastered with a hit that made everyone cringe and look away, jarring the ball loose as he lay on the ground collecting his thoughts.
It was a situation that was all too familiar to Gordon, who had a similar experience earlier in the season versus UNLV. Even though Kansas was granted possession on both occasions due to a fair-catch interference penalty, Gordon's fair-catch signals were not clear to the opponents. Now, they must become clear as daylight as the Jayhawks hit the meat of their schedule.
To understand why Charles "Flash" Gordon rarely calls for a fair catch, you have to understand who Charles Gordon is.
If you see Gordon walking on Jayhawk Boulevard, you would never guess that he is a rising star on the Kansas football team. At only 165 pounds, Gordon plays every down as if he has something to prove. He wants to be seen as a playmaker and a star. Playing with reckless abandon for those three hours each Saturday, he has earned respect from his coaches and opponents, but if he wants to continue to be a valid contributor, Gordon must learn to curb his enthusiasm.
Although Gordon's daring attempts to brave the special teams hailstorms have been gutsy, the upcoming conference games will have a large bearing on whether the lavahwaks make the postseason.
With the removal of the halo rule from college football, which used to enforce a 2-yard barrier around a punt returner to allow him to catch the ball unless calling for a fair catch, return men have become fair game for special teams headhunters.
"He wants to make plays and he's just a competitor," coach Mark Mangino said. "But we have to be smart sometimes and put our hand up and take the fair catch, but he'll learn to do that."
As much as Gordon may hate settling for a fair catch, there are just some situations where it is absolutely necessary. One of those, as he figured out the hard way, would be late in the fourth quarter of a game where your team is leading by 35-6.
"I really don't like to fair catch," Gordon said "When I get the ball in my hands, I just feel I can do so much. Maybe I should have fair caught that one because we were up so much, but I'll learn from that."
His dazzling moves and impressive onfield instincts have him among the nation's leaders in punt-return yardage. His 16 receptions for 314 yards and two touchdowns all rank second on the team.
But his tendencies to throw himself at defenders to make contact and want the ball in his hands in tight spots are admirable traits and have made him a fan favorite. For his fans, it will not be an issue unless it happens in a more crucial situation against a bigger opponent.
Greene is a Vernon Hills, Ill., senior in journalism
Volleyball sweeps UMKC
By Mike Norris
mnorris@kansan.com
Kansan sportswriter
Kara Hanson/Kansan
Despite falling behind early in games one and two, the Kansas volleyball team defeated the University of Missouri-Kansas City last night 3-0, in front of 429 fans at the Horejsi Family Athletics Center.
Kansas coach Ray Bechard said no matter how much he preached about getting ready for every game, it was sometimes tough to do, especially after coming off a Big 12 Conference victory against Colorado. Even so, Bechard scheduled the non-conference match in the middle of the conference season so his team wouldn't have to wait too long between game days.
"We felt this was the right time to do that because now we have the rest of the week off," he said.
In game one it looked like the team could use a few days of rest as Kansas fell behind 13-10. But the Jayhawks (9-4, 1-1), took the lead 18-17 for the first time since the first point of the game, and held on to win 30-22.
Ashley Bechard, junior setter sets up Ashley Michaels, junior middle blocker. Bechard made 16 sets in the Jayhawks' 3-0 victory over the UMKC Kanaros pastard.
Sarah Rome, senior outside hitter, led the lavihaws with six kills in the game.
Game two seemed to mirror game one, with the Kangaroos (2-13, 0-0) jumping out to another 13-10 lead. But after trailing 22-19, Kansas went on an 11-4 run to seal the victory. Bechard said serving was the main reason his team fell behind early.
"We let our service game get away from us in game two," he said.
The team had seven service errors in game two, and 14 for the match. Bechard said the team responded well in game three, as it ended with eight service aces.
Josi Lima, who had five kills and four service aces in the match, said it could sometimes be difficult adjusting to two different setters. The sophomore middle blocker said both Rozum and Ashley Bechard did a good job, and Rozum's rust was starting to wear off.
After two games in which UMKC had a chance to win, Kansas ended the third game with a bang, winning 50-18.
Setter Andi Rozum saw her most substantial action of the season after com
Rome had a match-high 16 kills and hit .467 in the match.
ing back from an injury. The sophomore had a season-high 26 assists in the match while splitting time with junior Ashley Bechard.
"Andi needs that opportunity in a game-type situation just to see how far we've got to go." coach Bechard said. "I thought they both responded well."
"I think it was a very good opportunity for Andi, and she did very well," Lima said.
The team has the rest of the week off and hosts the Baylor Bears at 7 p.m. on Saturday.
Edited by Andy Marso
Kansas leads tourney
By Ryan Colaianni
correspondent@kansan.com
Kansan correspondent
Kansas junior Andrew Price fired a first-round 67 and second-round 69 to help the Jayhawks claim first place at the Kansas Invitational yesterday at Alvamar Country Club, 4120 Clinton Parkway.
The Jayhawks have a 12-stroke lead over Wichita State, which is seven over par.
Play on the final 18 notes begins today at 8:30 a.m.
Price started his first round with four birdies on the front nine and no bogeys. Price had three more birdies on the back nine, but bogeyed 13 and 14 to finish his back nine one-under.
second round as he widened his individual lead to six strokes at eight-under par. Luke Scrymgeour from Oral Roberts is in second place at two-under par.
Junior Kevin Ward shot an even-par 72 in the first round, but slipped in the second, shooting a two-over 74.
Price continued his dominance in the
The Jayhawks were one under as a team after the first round. But through the continued good play of Price, and the improved play of sophomore Ryan Rainer and freshman Tyler Docking, the team improved to four under-par.
If Kansas can hold on for the victory tomorrow, it will be the team's first victory since the Stevinson Ranch Invitational in the spring of 2002.
Sophomore Luke Trammell lined up a putt on the back nine of Alvamar Golf Course. The Kansas Invitational, played yesterday and today, attracted varsity men's golf teams from across the nation.
Edited by Scott Christie
Jarad Soares/Kansa
Golf coach battles health on, off course
Over the last 25 years, Ross Randall has faced many challenges building the Kansas men's golf program, but none are comparable to his ongoing battle with diabetes.
By John Domoney
jdomoney@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
"I'm sick and tired of feeling bad," Randall said. "So I'm getting through it."
Randall first learned of his diabetic condition on the golf course during his freshman year at San Jose State University. During a round, Randall was sent to the hospital because of fatigue and was later diagnosed with diabetes. Randall's life has never been the same since and over the past few years his health has become even more complicated.
Nobody would blame Randall for feeling a bit frustrated with his health that has kept him from playing a round of golf since February.
Last May, doctors surgically placed a catheter in Randall's chest to better allow fluids in his body to circulate. The catheter punctured his right lung, which had to be reinflated. During a routine X-ray, doctors discovered that Randall had a malignant tumor near his lungs.
Courtney Kuhlen/Kansan
"You definitely don't appreciate your health until you lose it," Randall said.
Surgery removed the tumor and doctors told Randall he was lucky that the X-ray discovered the tumor. The incident made Randall consider what might have been if the tumor was not detected.
Randall's wife Linda appreciates the doctors who have been responsible for her husbands health through the years.
"We're just thankful that so many
Ross Randall, the Kansas men's golf coach, has faced challenges recently in his battle against diabetes. "You definitely don't appreciate your health until you lose it," he said.
physicians in the area have taken an interest in Ross and helped us through some hard times," she said.
Fortunately for Randall, the scar is the lone reminder from the scare of the malignant tumor. Unfortunately, his health woes have continued in his feet.
This past April, Randall tore a callus in his right foot and the foot got infected. The infection has since gone away but Randall continues to wear a protective boot to take pressure off of the foot.
"My foot would probably heal a little quicker if I could stay off my foot completely for two to three weeks," Randall said. "But I can't do that."
On his feet is where Randall has been for much of his golf life trekking
SEE MEN'S GOLF ON PAGE 6A