24B = THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
SPORTS
MONDAY,AUGUST 18,2003
200 move-in special
7th & Florida 841-5255
Sundance
- Furnished Apt. Available
* Great Location
- Fully equipped kitchens
- (Including microwaves)
- Private balconies & patios
- Private balconies & patio
- On-site laundry facility
* Bedroom
- On KU bus route
- On-site manager
- 24 hr emergency maintenance
- Models open daily!
Regents Court
- Large 3&4 BR, 2 full bath
- Large LBK - B 2100 W/D
* Apartments for rent with W/D
- Large fully applianced
- Kitchen including microwave & dishwasher
- Gas heat & hot water
- Central heat & air
- On KU bus route
19th & Mass
749-0445
- 24 hr. emergency maintenance
Orchard Corners
- BR 2 bath w/study
- 4 BR2 bath w/loft
- Private patio or balcony
- 4 BR 2 bath
- Furnished & unfurnished apts.
- On KU bus route
15th & Kasold
749-4226
- Small pets welcome
- On-site laundry
- Friendly on-site manager
- Dorm units available
- Sparkling pool
Hanover Place
- Fully applianced kitchen
- (Including microwave)
- Laundry facilities
- Private off street parking
- Central heat & an
Central heat & air Walk-in closets
Walk-in closets
Fireplaces
- Washer/dryer hookups
- On-site manager
14th & Mass.
841-1212
- 24 hr emergency maintenance
Kentucky Place
- 2 BR $722.50 per person
* Large walk-in closet
* Water closet
John Nowak/Kansan
Senior quarterback Bill Whittemore stretches during Thursday's practice, which was open to the public.Whittemore ranked fourth in the Big 12 Conference in total offense last season despite missing the last three games because of a knee injury.
Whittemore ready to take charge in new season
By Ryan Greene
rgreene@kansan.com
Kansan sportwriter
The last time there was this much excitement about Kansas football was in 1995, when June Henley was in the backfield and coach Glen Mason had not yet bolted for Minnesota.
It's hard to figure how so much excitement could come following a 2-10 season, but senior quarterback Bill Whittemore is providing the spark.
Last fall, Whittemore's first season in Lawrence ended abruptly with a knee injury against Missouri on Oct. 26. To that point, Whittemore had amassed 1,666 passing yards, 549 rushing yards, 22 touchdowns and added a pulse to the lifeless offense left over from the Terry Allen era.
Even though the 2-7 start to the season was tough, watching the final three games from the sidelines gave Whittemore his toughest challenge yet.
"Watching them battle out there and not being out there to help them, with all you've been through, with two-a-days, fall ball, spring
ball, it's tough," Whittemore said.
"Yeah I had a season-ending injury, but that stuff happens in football." Whittmore said. "It's not under my control, it's not under their control, it's in the Lord's hands, and I'm going to continue to play the play I玩."
Despite suffering a knee injury that has the ability to keep players from returning to their top form, Whittemore is not ready to use a medical problem as an excuse.
Compared to last season. Whittermore has more working in his favor to keep himself from getting hurt again.
An offensive line bolstered by junior college transfers and the addition of new threats at receiver and in the backfield will make Whittemore less depended upon.
Coach Mark Mangino said an improved running game will alleviate the pressure on his star quarterback, with sophomore Clark Green becoming the full-time starter and the addition of freshman John Randle.
"Bill is just great," senior wide receiver Greg Heaggans said. "When he drops back to throw the ball it will be a lot of fun because he
"It's not under my control, it's not under their control, it's in the Lord's hands, and I'm going to continue to play the way I play."
Bill Whittemore senior quarterback
can pick any receiver he wants."
Whittemore is on pace to leave his mark in the Kansas record books by the time he is done this season, but he wants to make sure he leaves Lawrence with more than just numbers.
With a conference schedule devoid of perennial powerhouses such as Texas and Oklahoma, this is the Jajhwaks' final chance for a lighter Big 12 slate before the Longorns and Sooners return next year.
"Yeah we have a sense of urgency," Whittemore said. "You know we're tired of losing, and it's showing here in practice."
— Edited by Abby Sidesinger
FOOTBALL: The schedule works in Kansas's favor
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B
"It takes someone special to get the team pumped up when everyone's head is down, somebody with heart," Johnson said. "I feel that I am that guy, even though I am a receiver. Sometimes the offense needs to get woken up."
On the other side of the ball, the defense will have its cornerstone back in sophomore linebacker Banks Floodman. Floodman suffered a season-ending knee injury in last season's opener against Iowa State.
Floodman brought his frustration at being on the sidelines to the weight room, bulking up from 215 pounds to a cut 230.
"He is really excited to be back on the field," Mangino said. "He wants to lead so badly and is very excited to play. His enthusiasm is rubbing off on the other kids as well as me."
Floodman will need to help shore up a defense that struggled last season. Kansas ranked last in the Big 12 in scoring defense, allowing an average of 42.2 points per game.
Working in Kansas' favor is a schedule that includes four non-conference opponents that combined for a record of 15-32 in 2002. Also, this year's conference schedule does not include Oklahoma, Texas and Texas Tech, which finished first, second and third respectively in the Big 12 South last year.
"I'm not going to give up one game on our schedule," Mangino said. "I know we're going to win."
Edited by Andy Marso
LEW: AD wants to build program and leave mark
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B
"We don't have enough money," Perkins said. "We're in the lower end of the pot in the Big 12. We're going to have to be creative because funding is very important."
Perkins recently purchased a home in Lawrence where he will live with his wife of 35 years, Gwen. The month of August is important to Perkins because it means school will begin, and he will be able to meet with all of the athletes and coaches.
Caring is something Perkins wants the students at the University to share when it comes to Jayhawk athletics.
"He cares a great deal about the student athletes as people, not just athletes," said Jim Marchiony, the new associate athletics director for External Affairs who followed Perkins to Lawrence from Connecticut.
"I want to leave my mark here, and I think this goes back to the students," Perkins said. "Help us and leave your mark and do something most people won't do and support a program that."
"He cares a great deal about the student athletes as people, not just athletes."
Jim Marchiony associate athletics director for external affairs
been struggling. Help build it up to be one of the best programs in the country."
— Edited by Abby Sidesinger
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