Section A · Page 8
The University Daily Kansan
Tuesday, October 7, 1997
Big 12 coaches simmer as season boils
The Associated Press
Selected comments from Big 12 coaches: North Division
Kansas (4-1 overall, 2-0 in the Big 12)
next game at Texas on Saturday
Kansas football coach Terry Allen said he tried to do anything to help the Jayhawks struggling offense, so he instructed his kickoff return team to run out kickoffs from the end zone to set up better field position.
BIG 12 CONFERENCE
"We have to do all we can to spur the offense so we wanted to use the opportunity in that area," Allen said. "We feel good about it (kick returns), so we were anxious to bring it out.
About the next game, Allen said, "We're looking forward to playing Texas Tech. They will be a challenge for our defense, and every team is a challenge for our offense so it should be interesting."
<table><thead><tr><th rowspan="2"></th><th colspan="2">Conference</th><th colspan="3">All Games</th><th rowspan="2">L</th><th rowspan="2">PF</th><th rowspan="2">PA</th></tr><tr><th>W</th><th>L</th><th>PF</th><th>PA</th><th>W</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>North</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Kansas</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>35</td><td>24</td><td>4</td><td>1</td><td>83</td><td>68</td></tr><tr><td>Nebraska</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>56</td><td>26</td><td>4</td><td>0</td><td>180</td><td>78</td></tr><tr><td>Missouri</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>52</td><td>36</td><td>3</td><td>2</td><td>148</td><td>112</td></tr><tr><td>Kansas State</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>26</td><td>56</td><td>3</td><td>1</td><td>154</td><td>83</td></tr><tr><td>Colorado</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>10</td><td>16</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>64</td><td>83</td></tr><tr><td>Iowa State</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>35</td><td>66</td><td>0</td><td>5</td><td>94</td><td>238</td></tr><tr><td>South</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Oklahoma State</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>63</td><td>30</td><td>5</td><td>0</td><td>167</td><td>44</td></tr><tr><td>Texas A&amp;M</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>16</td><td>10</td><td>4</td><td>0</td><td>177</td><td>26</td></tr><tr><td>Texas Tech</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>35</td><td>14</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>138</td><td>110</td></tr><tr><td>Texas</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>16</td><td>42</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>105</td><td>153</td></tr><tr><td>Oklahoma</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>17</td><td>20</td><td>2</td><td>3</td><td>124</td><td>132</td></tr><tr><td>Baylor</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>14</td><td>35</td><td>1</td><td>3</td><td>68</td><td>153</td></tr></tbody></table>
Kansas State (3-1 overall, 0-1 in the Big 12)
Next game vs. Missouri on Saturday
Kansas State football coach Bill Snyder said he had expected a better performance from his team at Nebraska Saturday.
"It was not much of a contest," Snyder said. "We played below what we were capable of playing, and Nebraska apparently has a talented football team. It was basically a mismatch."
Now the Wildcats have to prepare for Missouri.
"We just have to go back to the simple process of doing what we're supposed to do and getting enough reps to keep doing it that way," Snyder said. "Nebraska has the ability to bring out the tiniest bit of execution problem, which might go unnoticed by another team."
Missouri (3-2 overall, 1-1 in the Big 12)
"Although the score was lopsided, I felt for 2-1/2 quarters, the Kansas State defense went nose to nose with Nebraska," Smith said. "I don't think that game exposed any great weaknesses in Kansas State's defense."
Smith said he thought Kansas State's defense may be better than it showed against Nebraska.
Missouri football coach Larry Smith took one more fond look at Saturday's 45-21 victory against Iowa State before he moved on to the task at hand, Kansas State.
Next game at Kansas State on Saturday
"Corby Jones had his best day balancing the run and the pass," Smith said. "That really helps a lot. Our passing game showed some improvement and defensively after the first quarter, we controlled their running."
Next game at Texas A&M on Saturday
Iowa State (0-5 overall, 0-2 in the Big 12)
Iowa State football coach Dan McCarney has great respect for Texas A&M and the stadium where the game is being playing. The unbeaten Aggies are 4-0 this season and rarely lose at Kyle Field.
"They have done an outstanding job running the football," McCarney said. "They have got a relentless offensive line in front of truly outstanding running backs. They have one of the best rushing offenses in college football right now."
And the game is in Kyle Field, where the Aggies have the fourth best home winning record in Division I-A for the 1990s, 23-4-1.
Colorado (2-2 overall, 0-1 in the Big 12)
Next game at Oklahoma State on Saturday
Colorado football coach Rick Neuhelsel said his job this week was to prevent any finger-pointing after Saturday's 16-10 loss against Texas A&M.
"This is no time to throw in the towel," Neuheisel
said, "We've got a good football team that is not playing its best right now. We can't point fingers. We've got to improve from within. It seems every team we play is right high when we get them, and that's the case with Oklahoma State."
Neuheisel wasn't that disappointed with Colorado's defense against the Aggies.
"They pounded at us to see if they could make us wilt, and they certainly ran with efficiency." Neuhelsuf said. "But if you hold them to 16 points, and seven comes from a turnover inside your 10, we should win. But our hats are off to A&M for a great game they played."
Nebraska (4-0 overall, 1-0 in the Big 12)
Next opponent Baylor on Oct.11
Nebraska football coach Tom Osborne is not about to be drawn into this question: Is this Nebraska team better than his national champions?
"I think it's a good team, but there is a lot left to be played," Osborne said. "I'd be leery to make a statement that can come back to haunt me. But to this point, we've played well. Early, we were concerned about coverage in the secondary, but I think our secondary has improved."
Oklahoma (2-3 overall, 0-1 in the Big 12)
South Division
Next game vs. Texas on Saturday in Dallas
The Texas Longhorns have been embarrassed twice this season with a 66-3 loss against UCLA and a 42-16 defeat by Oklahoma State last weekend. But the Oklahoma Sooners won't expect an easy time when they cross the Red River for their annual showdown.
"They'll play us like they're undefeated." Oklahoma football coach John Blake said. "It doesn't matter who is healthy or what. It's a different game. We know we have to get ready for that."
Oklahoma State (5-0 overall, 2-0 in the Big 12)
Next game vs. Colorado on Saturday
Oklahoma State (5-0 overall 2-0 in the Big 12
The Cowboys moved into the Associated Press poll at No. 20 with their 42-16 victory against the slumping Longhorns. Now they hope to catch Colorado down too. The Buffs lost Saturday to Texas A&M 16-10.
"Obviously, when you can play a team of Colorado's caliber in your back yard, you like your chances only because your fans will be there for added support," Oklahoma State football coach Bob Simmons said.
Texas Tech (2-2 overall, 1-0 in the Big 12)
Next game vs. Kansas on Saturday
Kansas may have changed up its defense, but Texas Tech football coach Spike Dykes said it did not matter.
"They still play hard; they're well-coached and do a heck of a job." Dykes said of the Kansas defense. "They are a team laden with good players. They have good team speed, and they really scare you, I promise you that.
"They made some changes against Oklahoma, but they had the same intensity. And the reason they played good defense was they had great team pursuit, and they don't give up many big plays," Dykes said.
Baylor (1-3 overall, 0-1 in the Big 12)
Next game vs. Nebraska on Saturday
The competition is not getting any easier for the Baylor Bears. They got belted 38-3 by No. 6 Michigan and Baylor football coach Dave Roberts said No. 3 Nebraska was a bigger challenge.
"I don't know if we're too excited about playing the No. 3 team in the country," Roberts said. "They look good, a bit better than Michigan, and that's scary, but we are looking forward to playing them."
Texas (2-2 overall, 0-1 in the Big 12)
Next game vs. Oklahoma on Saturday in Dallas
Nexgame vs. Oklahoma on Saturday in Dallas Texas football coach John Mackovic is among those questioning the Longhorns' slump this season. But he also has some answers.
"The offense needs to get the ball and put some points on the board," Mackovic said. "We haven't scored in the first quarter in our first four games. This week it's important for us to play well in the first quarter, something we haven't done in previous games."
Texas A&M (4-0 overall. 1-0 in the Rig 12)
Next game vs. Iowa State on Saturday
The Aggies thought they were on their way to a national championship two seasons ago until they were defeated by Colorado. But after defeating the Buffalooes 16-10 on Saturday, they're not talking national titles.
"I like being 4-0, but what that means for the rest of the year, I don't know," Texas A&M football coach R.C. Slocum said. "It's significant that we've been there before. Going through a season like this, it's helpful having been through winning all your games. You're aware of the pitfalls that lie ahead."
Building plans for speedway begin rolling
The Associated Press
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Work will begin in the spring on a 75,000-seat speedway that will accommodate both NASCAR and IROC racing, officials said.
announced yesterday
The Kansas City, Kan., Superspeedway will open in 2000 on a 1,000-acre site northwest of Interstate 70 and Interstate 435 in Wyandotte County, the officials said.
The project will displace 163 single-family homes, Wyandotte County administrator Dennis Hays said.
Total costs of the project are estimated at $196.9 million, $142.6 million of which will come from private sources. Other money will come from state and local sources.
International Speedway Corp., the track's developer, hopes to add an additional 75,000 seats sometime after the track's opening but did not announce a target date for expansion. ISC owns six tracks in Florida, South Carolina, New York and Arizona and has part ownership in seven other tracks.
Two meetings with homeowners affected by the project will take place later this month. Hays had said at a prior news conference that the city would use its powers of eminent domain to secure the land if necessary.
ISC vice president Grant Lynch said his organization hoped to schedule three or four races in the track's first season.
"We'd like to bring in a NASCAR Winston Cup event, but we'll have a track that's designed for all sorts of motor sports," Lynch said. "We can run open-wheel racing like CART or the IRL, and we can also have the Craftsman Truck Series."
CART and the IRL are both Indy car organizations. Actual scheduling will have to wait, however, until the track is completed.
"NASCAR's policy has always been that once you're up and built, that's when you can sit down and start talking about dates," Lynch said.
Hays said the site selected yesterday was chosen over a proposed site to the northwest because of traffic concerns.
The construction will require State Avenue which is also U.S. highways 24 and 40 to bend north around the track. It will also require an interchange at I-70 and 110th Street, which will bend to the west of the track.
Yesterday's news conference came at the close of negotiations between ISC and the newly unified government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kan. Both sides' governing boards still must approve the agreement in a November vote, Mayor Carol Marinovich said.
The state of Kansas, represented yesterday by Lt. Gov. Gary Sherrer, lobbied hard for Kansas City, Kan., in its bid to beat out Kansas City, Mo., for the track.
The state is the second-largest financial contributor to the project, committing a total of $39.2 million.
The track will provide an image boost as well as an economic benefit to the entire state, Sherrer said.
"Much as we love her, Dorothy isn't our only resident," he said. "If she were here, she'd be in a red car, not in those little red shoes."