Monday, August 17, 1998
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The University Daily Kansan
Section B • Page 13
BIG 12 CONFERENCE
Big 12 Conference - South Division
Bitter memories plague Texas Tech's preseason
1997 Record; 6-5
Coach: Spike Dykes, 13th season, 69-57-11 Texas Tech
Key players: Donnie Hart.
senior split end: Montaue Reagor.
senior defensive end
By Matthew Friedrichs Kansan sports editor
Returning offensive starters: 6
Returning defensive starters: 6
Despite scandals that hit the Texas Tech athletics department and football program last year. Coach Spike Dykes continues to entertain an audience — and field team.
Donnie Hart, split end, is familiar with his coach's irreverent style.
"He's a one-liner waiting to happen." Hart said.
Not only did the Red Raiders end the season with an NCAA investigation looming overhead. they also lost their season finale 21-23 to Oklahoma.
"When you lose the last game that you play, you are no better than your last game." Dykes said. "My Lord, it's been a long time since that last game."
This season, Dykes is optimis.
tic about the schedule — at least early in the season.
"We don't play Nebraska, we don't play KState, and we don't play Kansas," Dykes said. "That's good."
Dykes: Says "That's good" to not play-ing Kansas.
The Red
The Red Raiders, however, finish the season with a brutal six games. Oklahoma State visits Lubbock before Tech travels to Colorado and Texas A&M. Missouri and Texas visit town and then Tech finishes on the road at Oklahoma.
"We've got to focus on winning that first game against UTEP." Hart said. "We didn't win any of those big games against Tennessee or Kansas State, but we also haven't beat UTEP or Fresno State either."
To avoid another bittersweet season, Dykes will need a solid effort from his team and a stellar coaching effort, and he knows it.
Oklahoma Sooners bone up offensive scheme
Coach: John Blake, third season.
7-16
1997 Record: 4-8
Key Players: DeMond Parker, running back; Kelly Gregg, defensive tackle
Returning offensive starters: 8.
Returning defensive starters: 9.
By Matthew Friedrichs Kansan sports editor
Make no bones about it — Oklahoma is back.
That is, the swagger of the Barry Switzer years, the offense that made quarterback Jamelle Holloway a
household name, and the defense that launched the short-lived movie career of linebacker Brian Bosworth have returned.
Bloke;Reinstitutes the wishbone offense.
sons — he is 7-16 as coach at Okla.
homa or he has amazing confl
dence in his returning players.
"I want these guys to win, and I want our fans to be rewarded." Blake said.
Blake, who lettered four-times while playing noseguard for the Sooners, has reinstituted one of Oklahoma's most revered traditions — the wishbone offense with a quarterback and three backs in the backfield
The front of the Oklahoma media guide proudly proclaims, "The Bone is Back."
The move suits the players fine and should benefit Demond Parker, who averaged 5.9 yards a carry while rushing for 1,143 yards last season.
The Soomers defense will play an attack-oriented 4-defense.
Blake intends to resume coaching defensive linemen, after two years of delegating all position coaching to his assistants. But will it be enough? Miscues and poor special teams hurt Oklahoma last season in a close loss to Kansas.
The Sooners lost five games by a total of 16 points.
Despite doubts and a projected fifteenth place finish in the Big 12 South, Blake and his players have the strut of a national title contender.
"We have a chance or can win every game on our schedule," Blake said.
Baylor Bears look to improve last year's 2-9 record
1997 Record: 2-9
**Coach:** Dave Roberts, second year. 2:42 record at Baylor
Key Players: Nikia Codie; senior free safety; Rodney Smith, Junior strong safety
Returning offensive starters: 6.
Returning defensive starters: 8.
By Matthew Friedrichs Kansan sports editor
successful season, even when one of those wins came against the storied Texas Longhorns.
Baylor would be the Iowa State of the Big 12 Conference Southern Division, but Baylor won twice as many games as the Cyclones last season.
Second-year coach Dave Roberts said he hoped the team played better this season.
"We want to be consistent," Roberts said. "The first game will be big for anyone's program, but more so for us because of our season last year."
The Bears cannot be accused of ducking competition. Last season, the team's nonconference schedule included Miami and co-national champions Michigan and Nebraska. This season, Baylor plays at Notre Dame.
"That was amazing last season.
playing Nebraska and Miami in the same year," Roberts said. "We've tried to say to our players that we need consistency every week to be competitive because we are seeing great teams all the time."
Roberts: Calls consistency the key to a competitive season.
The consistently tough schedule would be good for the players in the
long run, said Dwight Johnson,
defensive end.
hard games did prepare the team
for one game last season — Texas.
"It was the highlight of the season and made us think we could play with anyone in the Big 12." Johnson said. "That brightened the season for us because before that game we had been playing in a shadow."
"We still have a lot to learn," said Derrius Thompson, wide receiver. "We might not run as many plays as in the past. Instead, we'll concentrate on executing the few we know."
Whether Roberts can crack the clouds and let in more light for his team remains to be seen.
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