THE UNIVERSITY HARY KANSAN
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2009
SPORTS
9A
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire, the power to unite people that little else has..It is more powerful than governments in breaking down racial barriers."
-Nelson Mandela
FACT OF THE DAY
On this date in 1960, Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Bill Mazeroski sent New York Yankees pitcher Ralph Terry's pitch across the left center field wall of Forbes Field, winning the World Series for the Pirates.
Real Clear Sports
TRIVIA OF THE DAY
Q: When was Mazeroski elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame?
A: 2001.
Real Clear Sports
Wright might shine this season
MORNING BREW
During his stint in Lawrence, Julian Wright was a hard man to overlook.
His play — sometimes brilliant, sometimes cringe-worthy — made him the center of attention on the court. He had the kind of ability necessary to take over games and leave crowds dazed — if not always in a good way.
The contrast between Wright's years at Kansas and his first two NBA seasons could not be more stark. Wright has languished on the New Orleans bench, and, if rumors are to be believed, spent ample time in Coach Byron Scott's proverbial doghouse. What's more, Wright spent his first two NBA seasons in relative anonymity; a feat which hardly seems possible for a player with his ability.
But things appear to be chang ing for Wright and changing for
the better. If, as some have speculated, Wright's frustrating inconsistencies stem from attempting to do too much, then playing alongside game manager extraordinaire Chris Paul ought to be an adequate solution to that problem. At least, that's what Hornets coach Bryon Scott is hoping.
Wright enters the preseason as the Hornets' starting small forward instead of playing limited minutes off the bench. It would be difficult to overstate what a golden opportunity this is for Wright. He's joining a starting five that includes Chris Paul and
Wright won't be the only one benefitting, though. He replaces Peja Stojakovic in the starting five and, although Wright isn't the deep threat Peja is, he offers better play in just about every other facet of the game. Wright and Hornets center Emeka Okafor present a rangy and athletic front line capable of nabbing long rebounds, swatting shots and intercepting passes. Wright is also a versatile on-ball defender, tall enough to guard power forwards but still quick enough to defend
and given his athleticism, it's probably safe to assume that he will do so often - Paul will find him.
David West, both NBA all-stars. West is the Hornets' post scorer who demands double teams and will free up Wright on the court. Paul is the best point guard in the NBA. If Wright can find space
shooting guards. And, of course, Wright is capable of putting dazzling finishes on Chris Paul's trademark alley-oop passes.
Indeed, Wright brings the potential for great things to the Hornets' staring five. But Wright has always had potential in spades. Whether he can harness it this season may well decide if his days languishing in relative obscurity are finished.
Edited by Nick Gerik
FOOTBALL
Two unlikely players prove themselves worthy
BY CLARK GOBLE
cgoble@kansan.com
SHEFFIELD MAKING CASE FOR STARTING JOE
Texas Tech coach Mike Leach was more than impressed with backup quarterback Steven Sheffield's seven-touchdown performance in his team's blowout victory against Kansas State.
In fact, there might be a quarterback controversy brewing in Lubbock, Texas.
Follow Clark Goble at twitter.com/cgobley8.
Senior quarterback Taylor Potts took two hard hits on sacks in Texas Tech's game against New Mexico Oct 3. Leach said
Potts would be a game-time decision for Saturday's game against Nebraska.
Leach said he thought Sheffield brought a spark to the Red Raider offense.
"I think he's got really good leadership qualities," Leach said. As for Sheffield's nickname, "Sticks," coined by teammates who notice Sheffield's 6-foot-4, 190-pound frame, Leach said.
wouldn't have thought of it, but "it makes sense."
SUH A DOMINATING PRESENCE
Nebraska defensive tackle Ndomukong Suh was dominant Thursday night against Missouri. In turn, some analysts have thrown his name into the Heisman race. Suh picked up six tackles, a sack and a huge fourth-quarter interception in the 27-12 Nebraska victory.
Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said he had seen a lot of good defensive linemen, including former Tiger Ziggy Hood, selected 32nd overall in the 2009 NFL Draft.
"It's a task to be able to handle him," Pinkel said. "Give him credit where credit is due. He's a great football player."
In the conference's weekly media teleconference Monday, a couple of Big 12 coaches talked about Suh's ability to change a game.
But after watching Suh up close Thursday, Pinkel said he didn't think there was a better defensive lineman in college football this year.
Pinkel said he thought his team's pass protection wasn't necessarily the issue — Suh is just that dominant. Brown said
Monday that Suh lateral quickness and power made him a force to be reckoned with.
Texas Tech coach Mike Leach, whose team takes on Nebraska this Saturday, also spoke highly of Suh's abilities, but said his game plan wouldn't necessarily change to counter Suh's presence.
"A good player can do a lot of things. They move him all over," Leach said. "We'll just keep an eye on him and know where he's at. We're not nearly as concerned about him as we are about the Nebraska Cornhuskers overall."
— Edited by Jacob Muselmann
NFL
Coach: 'Undefeated' not the same as 'perfect'
Associated Press
BY EDDIE PELLS
Denver Broncos coach Josh McDaniels salutes the crowd after the Broncos defeated the New England Patriots 20-17 in overtime in an NFL football game Sunday in Denver. The team's highest victory has given them a 5-0 record.
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Unlike the coach he learned from, Josh McDaniels of the Broncos doesn't shy from showing a little emotion.
His special teams assistant, Mike Priefer, surely knows about it after being on the wrong side of a protracted rant from the rookie coach.
Denver fans found out about it, too, when McDaniels ran to the corner of the stadium and started pumping his fists and hugging it out with players to celebrate Denver's latest surprise — a 20-17 overtime win over New England.
"We work too hard not to enjoy the wins." McDaniels said Monday. "We work too hard to try to minimize any success we might have on the weekend."
Success is all McDaniels has enjoyed so far this season, in leading the Broncos to the NFL's most surprising start.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
The latest win, over his more stoic mentor, Bill Belichick, gave the Broncos a 5-0 record and
McDaniels responded by giving the Broncos Monday off for the first time this season.
They'll be back in the film room come Wednesday, and McDaniels insisted he'll prove to the Broncos that undefeated is not the same as perfect. He'll break down all the mistakes from their latest win.
"We can coach better and play better and they'll see that on film. I don't have to create that," McDaniels said. "No coach has to create it either. They'll see it on the film, and that's just the truth."
The brunt of the criticism will come over Denver's special teams effort. A missed field goal. A decision to run a kickoff out from 6 yards deep in the end zone. Two crucial penalties — offsides and running into the punter — both on fourth-and-short to keep a New England drive alive. Kyle Orton's tying, fourth-quarter, 98-yard touchdown drive wouldn't have been that long if not for those two penalties.
After Darrell Reid ran into the punter, the TV cameras panned
"Sometimes on game day, it's better to listen to what you're saying, than how you're saying it." McDaniels said. "And that would be my message to the staff."
laying on Priefer. Easy to laugh at the episode now, because the Broncos won.
Errors and tantrums aside, Denver is in rarified air. Only three other teams have 5-0 records
— then held — on McDaniels and the extended shut-down he was
Broncos have started this well, they've ended up in the Super Bowl.
and the other four times the
Nearly a third of the way into the season, it is too late to attribute the Broncos success to them sneaking up on people, or a slate of games against bad opponents. Yes, there were wins over Cleveland and Oakland. But also over New England and Dallas. Even the season-opening Cincinnati win is
looking a lot better: The Bengals (4-1) haven't lost since.
The Broncos have given up a grand total of 43 points, four touchdowns fewer than any team that's played five games. They are ranked second in vards allowed.
The offense, meanwhile, is getting more efficient. Orton threw for 330 yards and two scores against New England. He improved to 26-12 as an NFL starter.
THIS WEEK IN KANSAS ATHLETICS
TUESDAY
Women's Golf NMUSI Prices Give Em Fires Invitational, All Day, Las Cruces N.M.
WEDNESDAY
WEDNESDAY
Volleyball
vs. Texas.
6:30 p.m.
Women's Golf
NMSU Prices
Give Em Five
Invitational, All
Day, Las Cruces,
N.M.
THURSDAY
No Events Scheduled
FRIDAY
Swimming Big 12 Relays, 9 a.m., Columbia, MO.
Soccer vs. Oklahoma, 7 p.m.
SATURDAY
Cross Country
NCAA Pre-
Nationals
Invitational,
11 a.m.Terre
"Tate Ind."
Football at Colorado, 6 p.m.
Volleyball at Kansas State, 1 p.m.
SUNDAY
Soccer at Baylor, 1 p.m.
MLB
Rockies again flip-flop lineup for fourth playoff
DENVER — Colorado Rockies manager Jim Tracy juggled his lineup again, flip-flipping Garrett Atkins and Yorvit Torrealba for Game 4 of the playoffs against the Philadelphia Phillies.
The weather warmed considerably Monday after a cold front moved out of Colorado, with a gametime temperature of 48 degrees. Game 3 was played in the mid-20s with a first-pitch reading of 35 degrees, tied for the coldest postseason start ever.
Tracy moved Atkins up to fifth following his 2-for-4, two-RBI performance in the sixth spot Sunday night. He bumped down Torrealba, who went 0 for 4 with three strikeouts in the No. 5 spot in Colorado's 6-5 loss in Game 3.
"Did we maybe take him out of his comfort level a little bit? It's possible?" Tracy said.
The Phillies, who led 2-1 in the best-of-five series, sent Cliff Lee to the mound Monday, and Tracy said he felt really good putting Atkins behind Todd Helton and Troy Tulowitzki in the middle of the order.
Associated Press
NFL
Chiefs look for positives desnite 0-6 season start
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A team that's lost 28 of 30 games takes encouragement from every nook, cranny and crawlspace where it can be found. Once the sting went away, the Kansas City Chiefs found a few things to like about their 26-20 overtime loss to Dallas.
despite 0-6 season start
They made plays in the kicking game, recovering a muffed punt and kicking two field goals. They made some defensive stands, although not enough.
But the Chiefs still lost. They travel to Washington now hoping to avoid being the first team in the franchise's 50-year history to start a season 0-6.
Associated Press
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