Sports
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The Kansas football team faces off with UNLV 6 p.m. tomorrow at Memorial Stadium. See how the two teams compare. PAGE 8A
The University Daily Kansan
sports commentary
12A
Friday, September 5, 2003
Jonah Ballow
iballow@kansan.com
Supreme players all reside in Big 12
When searching for the best conference in college football, fans need to look no further than the Big 12 Conference.
Besides the Bears and the Jayhawks, who sit in the basement of the conference, the Big 12 owns some of the best teams in America.
Before the season began, the Buffaloes and the Cornhuskers were not listed in the Top 25. After last week's performances, they both find themselves back in the top 25 and vying for a conference title.
The Buffaloes are fresh off back-toback Big 12 North Championships, but critics said there were too many questions heading into the season to validate a Top 25 ranking. One of the main concerns for the team was at the quarterback spot but Colorado quickly found an answer with The Sporting News' National Player of the Week's sophomore Joel Klatt. Klatt completed 21 of his 34 passes for 402 yards and four touchdowns. The Buffaloes have a rigorous schedule, but seem resilient and ready for the 2003 season.
Nebraska finds itself in an interesting position after many years of dominating the Big 12 North. Even with a suspect passing attack, Nebraska can run the football as well as any team in the country. Jamaal Lord is insufficient throwing the ball but is considered one of the best option quarterbacks in the nation. The Cornhuskers made a strong showing in its first game by defeating the Cowboys 17-7
first game by defeating the Cowboys, this team Speaking of the Cowboys, this队 lost a tough game in Lincoln, Neb., but it still has high hopes for the season. Oklahoma State may have the best receiver in the nation, Rashaun Woods. They were only bumped out of the Top 25 by losing to a Big 12 opponent.
The Sooners are the No.1 team in the nation with one of Bob Stoops' best defensive units since he arrived at the program. Linebacker Teddy Lehman leads a group of defenders who are athletic and physically imposing enough to shut down even the best offensive teams. The Sooners are one of the more feared teams in America, and should find a spot in a Bowl Championship Series game.
Do not venture too far because the No. 6-positioned Wildcats also have a possible Heisman candidate, quarterback Elle Roberson. The Wildcats are efficient on the ground with Darren Sproles, who is also regarded as one of the best running backs in the nation.
ries game.
Slide down three spots in the polls and find the Longhorns who pummeled New Mexico State 66-7 last week. Not only do the Longhorns have a shot at the national title game, but the team features a Heisman hopeful in wide receiver Roy Williams. Texas has not lost a step behind new quarterback Chance Mock, and is vastly improving defensively, which solidifies their No. 4 spot in the polls.
Across the border, the Tigers have made considerable strides in their program under Gary Pinkle. Sophomore quarterback Brad Smith leads the Tigers because of his abilities on the ground and through the air. Missouri defeated Big 10 opponent, Illinois, last week and
Banks Floodman, sophomore linebacker, stopped Northwestern's Brett Basanez in last week's game. KU will look to Floodman and fellow sopho more linebackers Gabe Toomey and Nick Reid for solid defense in Saturday's game against UNLV.
'Hawks still looking to win
SEE SUPREME ON 7A
By Ryan Greene rgreee@kansan.com Kansan sportwriter
Heading into tomorrow's game against UNLV the Kansas football team is still looking to collect dividends on an offseason of hard work.
"We've asked them to make a lot of sacrifices, and they have willingly," coach Mark Mangino said. "When you invest a lot, and you don't get a return on it, it's more painful. By the same token, it makes you more hungry and aggressive to want to go out and get it changed."
to want to go back. Last weekend's 28-20 loss to Northwestern was not the start Mangino's team envisioned for the 2003 season.
the Jayhawks ran the ball well, with sophomore tailback Clark Green picking up 79 yards on 17 carries, but passing did not come as naturally.
Senior quarterback Bill Whittemore struggled in his first game back from last season's knee injury, completing only 12 of 28 pass attempts with one touchdown and one interception. Whittemore's struggles may have surprised his receivers more than anyone.
receivers more than anyone,
"I was kind of surprised," sophomore
wide receiver Mark Simmons said. "But
with all great quarterbacks, they'll tend
to bounce back. He's ready to get back
on the field and prove everybody wrong
that thinks he was a little shaky."
that thinks he will defensively, the Jayhawks couldn't overcome the unit's biggest problem in 2002; stopping the run.
2002: stopping the tide Northwestern tailback Jason Wright victimized the Jayhawks to the tune of 196 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. Controlling the Rebels running game will not be any easier tomorrow, as UNLV features three backs who Mangino believes could play for any team in the nation.
Kansas' linebacking corps will be counted on heavily to stop the run tomorrow.
Sophomore linebackers Gabe Toomey, Banks Floodman and Nick Reid each played solid games last week. This week they will be needed more than ever, as starting defensive tackle Chuck Jones is listed as day-to-day with nagging injuries.
"We feel like that's going to be the strength, and we have to feature those guys," defensive coordinator Bill Young said. "We have to do everything we can to get them into position to make plays."
get them into position, In the defensive backfield, it will be
another week of growth for Kansas' young cornerbacks, sophomore Donnie Amadi and junior Shelton Simmons.
Shelton Simmons struggled in his first Division I start last weekend, but Mangino will continue to let him learn by experience.
understand that position inside and out," Mangino said. "The thing about him, he's a true competitor. When he makes a mistake, he even does that 100-percent, and that's a welcome sight."
"He just needs to settle in and experience.
Instead of dwelling on last week's tough loss, Mark Simmons said the attitude of the season is just as positive as it
was a week ago. Even jn an 0-1 hole,the Jayhawks continue to look forward.
"We're ready to win," Simmons said. "We can't wait for everybody to see at the end of the season how much we've improved from last year. We're looking forward, we don't look behind us."
—Edited by Andy Marso
Volleyball aims to bury Gophers
By Mike Norris
mnorris@kansan.com
Kansan Sportswriter
If the Kansas volleyball team wants to win the Nike Volleyball Invitational this weekend in Minneapolis, it will have to do something a Kansas volleyball squad has never done: beat the University of Minnesota.
The 13th ranked Golden Gophers are 11-0 all-time against the Jayhawks, and despite the Gopher's three losses in a Hawaii tournament last weekend, Kansas coach Ray Bechard hasn't forgotten their 32-6 record a year ago.
"I think they'll be extremely emotionally charged because they had a tough weekend," said Bechard. "Now they're going to be at home, they're going to be comfortable."
comfortable. Sarah Rome, senior outside hitter, will also be at home.The Eagan, Minn., native will play in front of some familiar faces.
"A lot of my family is going to be there, and they haven't seen me play in a long time," she said. "I'll be very fun."
Rome's family shouldn't be disappointed. The senior is leading the team in digs with 3.5 per game and adding 3.3 kills per contest.
Josi Lima, sophomore middle blocker, battled a sore knee last weekend, but said today will be different.
nesota game will be forced Jill Dorsey, junior libero, has also been nursing an injury. After missing the first match last weekend, she bounced back with 17 digs against Northern Illinois.
end, but said today will be good.
"I think I didn't help the team as much as I could," she said. "The Minnesota game will be a lot better."
Dorsey said she was feeling better, but the depth of the team defense last weekend gave her confidence if she couldn't play in the tournament.
really great job. The Jayhawks are traveling for the second straight weekend, but Bechard said it shouldn't be a concern with the team.
play in the fourth name.
"There were people who could fill my role," she said. "jamie Mathewson did a really great job."
team.
"It's a quick turnaround, but everyone has to deal with that," he said. "It's just a part of what this time of year is."
After the Jayhawks' 7:30 p.m. battle tonight with Minnesota, they will take on Marquette tomorrow at 10 a.m.
The Golden Eagles are 1-2 this season with losses to Texas A&M and Pittsburgh.
After the match-up with Marquette,
"We're trying to establish a game plan not just for one match,but two or three during the weekend."
Ray Bechard Kansas volleyball coach
the 3-0 Dayton Flyers are the Jayhawks next opponent.
Bechard knows the tournament doesn't end after the highly anticipated match with Minnesota.
"We're trying to establish a game plan not just for one match, but two or three during the weekend," he said.
This weekend will be the first of five matches with Top 25 teams this year for the Jayhawks, but Lima said the team isn't focusing on the ranking.
ish focusing "We know Minnesota is going be very hard, but we are going to treat them like any other team," she said.
If the Jayhawks can win the tournament, they will improve to 5-1 heading into their home opener Wednesday, against Oral Roberts.
Monan True/Kansan
Sarah Rome, senior, spiked the ball at fellow teammates, sophomore Renita Davis and freshman Megan Hill. The team practiced Wednesday afternoon in preparation of its first tournament, the Nike Volleyball Invitational, this weekend in Minneapolis.
— Edited by Ashley Marriott
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