Friday, October 9, 1998
The University Daily Kansan
Section B · Page 5
Iowa State player changes position to assist offense
The Associated Press
AMES, Iowa—Players change positions all the time in college football, tight ends as much as anyone.
They move to defense as an end or linebacker. Sometimes they stay on offense and become tackles. But a tight end moving to center?
I o w a State's Josh Rank began the curious journey to his first collegiate start in Saturday's game with Missouri — as a guard.
Rank never got to play tight end in a game at Iowa State because he was held from competition as a freshman. He moved to center the following spring, spent last season in that position and switched to guard last spring.
Before those moves, he had never played on the offensive line. Once the Iowa State coaches saw Rank up close they figured they could make him a lineman.
"They thought I had a good frame to put on the weight, and
I've been able to put on good weight," he said. "I've been able to handle it. I think that was their thinking."
Rank bulked up. He worked out in the weight room, ate a lot of late night meals and took creatine, a dietary supplement used to add weight and strength, in the off season.
Rank began practice in August as the No.1 right guard but suffered a concussion during two a-days and sat out for 10 days.
"That's a lot of practices during two-a-days," Rank said. "I just was never able to battle back. I've got an opportunity now, and I'm going to do my best to take advantage of it."
Rank earned a starting job in last week's 54-33 loss at Texas. He will replace Eugene Bernal at left guard.
Iowa State also will have a new starter at right tackle. Marcel Howard, red shirt freshman, will replace Beaudet, who has been sidelined by a concussion.
Quarterback Todd Bandhauer, who will be counting on Rank and Howard for protection, feels both will play well.
"Josh and Marcel have played quite a bit," Bandhauer said. "It's not like those guys haven't played a down of college football. So I have confidence in those guys."
COLUMBIA, Mo. — If the success of an offensive line is measured in yards, then Missouri's frontline is one of the best in the country.
Mizzou's frontline is No.1 in Big 12
The Associated Press
The No. 21 Tigers (3-1) are averaging 298 yards rushing going into Saturday's game against Iowa State (2-3). That total is ranked first in the Big 12 Conference and third in the nation.
but I totally disagree," tackle Todd Neimeyer said. "I look at a stat sheet and see that we rushed for over 300 yards and held the ball for 35 minutes in a game, and that's where you get your credit as an offensive lineman."
One opposing coach after another, when asked about quarterback Corby Jones and running back Devin West, point to the large holes they are running through. West, who is averaging 176.5 yards per game, said it's well-deserved recognition.
With that in mind, all the accolades the Missouri line is receiving should come as no surprise.
"They need the respect," West said. "I think they might be the best run-blocking unit in the country."
The line is anchored by Neimeyer, a senior who has started 27 consecutive games. Three other members of the group, tackle Chris Meredith and guards Craig Heimburger and Cliff Smith, also are seniors. Center Rob Ritt, though he is only a junior, has started 25 games.
"The key to a good offensive line is experience, experience with each other," Heimburger said. "We know what we do wrong. We know how to make
changes and fix the problems on our own."
There were a few questions about the line entering the season. The Tigers had to replace first team all-Big 12 guard Mike Morris and second team all-Big 12 tackle
Travis Biebel.
Those questions were laid to rest in the first game, when the Tigers ran for 341 yards against Bowling Green. The offensive line shared the Missouri offensive player-of-the-week award. And the line has only improved since then, according to coach Larry Smith.
"I think the offensive line has gotten better every week," Smith said. "They started the season looking good. They're now really earning their reputation."
Wildcats hope to pounce on critics' doubts
The Associated Press
MANHATTAN — It's hard to say your team is ranked fifth in the nation in one breath but that it's not getting any respect in the next.
punting.
Yet that seems to be the unique position No. 5 Kansas State finds itself in this week as it prepares to go to Colorado and battle the 14th-ranked Buffaloes in what is agreed to be first real test of the season for the Wildcats.
Kansas State can offer all sorts of statistical arguments for the credibility it craves. Of the 12 major team statistical categories compiled by the NCAA, the Wildcats rank No. 1 in eight — scoring offense and defense, turnover ratio, pass efficiency and total defense, kickoff and punt returns and net
Yet their 4-0 record has been built on four home games against three patsies and a Texas team that's coming off a 4-7 season and making
the painful adjustment to a new coach.
It's no wonder the Wild cats have not.
been moving in the poll. But a victory against the unbeaten Buffers, in Boulder where where they haven't won in 25 years, would go a long way to dispel the critics who say they haven't played anybody.
"I'm looking forward to it. It's an opportunity for us to go away and make a statement." said quarterback Michael Bishop.
The Wildcats were given a 101, ranking in the preseason poll because of the fact they returned 22 starters from last season's 11-1 campaign.
But blowout victories against Indiana State, Northern Illinois and Northeast Louisiana hardly moved them up in the poll.
Neither did a 48-7 romp over Texas on Sept. 19. When second-ranked Florida lost that day, the Wildcats hoped to inch closer to second-ranked Nebraska, a Manhattan visitor on Nov. 14 in what's shaping up as the biggest game in Kansas State's 103-year football history.
But a week after being passed in the poll by UCLA despite a 73-7 win against Northern Illinois, the Wildcats were leaprogged again — this
time by Tennessee — and remained stuck at No. 5.
Until last year, Colorado and Nebraska had been the only conference teams the Wildcats were unable to beat since Bill Snyder arrived in 1989 and wrought his "Manhattan Miracle" that turned the team into contenders. Then, a 37-20 victory gave the Wildcats their first win over the Buffs since 1984.
Aiding the Wildcats will be the much-anticipated debut of running back Frank Murphy. After sitting out four games for accepting money from boosters to buy a used car, the highly sought junior college transfer who dazzled coaches in the spring with his 4.21-second speed in the 40 finally will hear his number called.
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ATTENTION SENIORS:
It's time to recognize the professor who has positively impacted your college career. Nominate them for the H.O.P.E.Award.
Nomination forms can be picked up at the Student Organizations and Leadership Development Center in the Kansas Union and are due by Friday, October 16, 1998 at 4:00 ELECTIONS WILL BE OCTOBER 19th & 20th AT WESCOE