Volume 125 Issue 14
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
kansan.com
COMMENTARY
Jayhawks must move past loss
THIS IS HOW I ROW
For Kansas Football it is time to regroup. Yet again.
This season was destined to be a difficult one from the start, but losing to Rice on Saturday now makes it more difficult than previously imagined.
Looking at the schedule, Kansas fans knew they only had a few opportunities to grab victories this year, and for the most part Rice looked like a chance for one of those wins.
As Charlie Weis said at his press conference after the game, the responsibility for a loss starts with him.
Senior quarterback Dayne Crist will try to figure out why he's unable to get into a rhythm with his receivers.
But it didn't work out that way and now the Jayhawks must try to figure out how to get ready for their next opponent, conference newcomer TCU.
The responsibility might start with him, but all the players and coaches under Weis will take a hard look at themselves the next few days as they prepare for the Horned Frogs.
After two games with a completion percentage under 50 percent, he knows that he, as well as his teammates, need to get on the same page.
Edited by Andrew Ruszczyk
The defense will try to figure out how to slow down numerous high-powered offenses.
That's the blame from last week, but at this point it doesn't matter anymore.
Special teams is also a concern in all aspects: kicking, punting and coverage.
The football program will have to vastly improve to compete against TCU.
Unlike Rice, who was methodical in moving the football for most of the game, the Big 12 largely consists of teams that boast uptempo offenses and can score in bunches.
The defense managed one positive by creating three turnovers in the game, but will that be something sustained throughout the year?
The Horned Frogs have been ready to move into the Big 12 ever since they were left out of the original formation of the conference.
They are looking to make a statement, and the Jayhawks will probably be the first team in their way in what figures to be an impressive season.
With all the difficult tasks that await the Jayhawks, there is one thing Kansas fans must realize.
Kansas will now be in a role which they will hold for the rest of the season: underdogs.
More than likely the layhawks will not be favored in any of their remaining 10 games.
So now the big challenge is for Kansas fans.
We knew there would be struggles in bringing in a new coach and whole new philosophy, but will Kansas fans stand beside its team through the difficulties ahead?
Let's hope so, but it's going to be a tough road.
They are better off than last year.
KJI women's rowing assistant coach Carrie Callen is returning to her alma mater after a successful five-year career with the Iowa Hawkeyes. She is expected to help with program recruitment this season.
TRAVIS YOIING/KANSAN
ALUMNA RETURNS TO COACH
CHRISTOPHER SCHAEDER
cschaeder@kansan.com
For new rowing assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Carrie Callen, the chance to return to her alma mater was an offer she couldn't refuse.
"Obviously it's a program I'm very familiar with," Callen said. "There's something special about coaching at your alma mater and being invested in it for the Javahawks is extra special."
Callen had never rowed before college, but she, like many other
freshman members of the team,
walked-on. She was a member of the rowing team from 2002 to 2004 and was designated as a scholar student-athlete. During the 2005-2006 season, she was a graduate assistant coach for the Jayhawks. Callen graduated from Kansas in 2006 with a degree in business administration.
She returns to Lawrence after working as a graduate assistant coach at the University of Iowa. During her five years with the Hawkeyes, Callen helped primarily with recruiting and budgeting.
Last season, she was nominated for Assistant Coach of the Year.
Callen's history with the Kansas program made the move simple.
"The coaching transition has been really easy for me because I've known the other coaches, so we haven't had to do the whole get to know you process," Callen said.
She thinks that her history with the Kansas program will help the team significantly.
"I think the girls need a consistent voice," Callen said. "They need a coach that has been with the program for a few years, which
also helps in recruiting."
Rowing coach Rob Catloth agreed that Callen's experience recruiting at Iowa will benefit the rowing program at Kansas.
"Having the experience of being at a Big Ten school for six years should really help our team," Catloth said.
While she coaches in Lawrence, Callen is studying for her Master of Business Administration. Callen has more coaching aspirations for after graduation.
"Down the road, I would love to be a head coach," Callen said.
"I still have a lot to learn and accomplish as an assistant, and I have an interest in staying at the top Division I rowing."
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
For now, Callen is interested in staying at Kansas.
"I want to help build the program here and I wouldn't mind being here for awhile," Callen said.
Edited by Hannah Wise
SPORTS AWARDS
Athletics honors players
RYAN MCCARTHY
rmccarthy@kansan.com
Athletic director Sheahon Zenger stands track and field star Diamond Dixon and former basketball player Thomas Robinson at the first Rock Chalk Choice Awards Sunday night.
The Rock Chalk Choice Awards' athletes of the year should come as no surprise to anyone who followed the 2011- 2012 season.
Former basketball All-American Thomas Robinson and Olympic Gold Medalist Diamond Dixon grabbed the top individual honors as athletes of the year at the first Rock Chalk Award ceremony Sunday at the Lied Center.
Robinson was a major factor on the basketball team finishing with a 32-7 record and runners-up at the NCAA Tournament. Robinson ended as the only player in the Big 12 to average a double-double with 17.7 points and 11.9 rebounds. In June, Robinson was picked fifth in the NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings.
Robinson also accepted the Rock Chalk Moment of Year award with some of his former teammates and assistant coach Kurtis Townsend for the win over Missouri last February in the last installment of the Border Showdown.
Dixon made her way on the United States women's 4x400 relay. In London, she ran the second fastest leg with a time of 50.15 seconds in the preliminaries. Her teammates grabbed the gold medal the next day in the event. Dixon was the first layahawk track and field gold medalist since Al Oerter took home the discus gold at the 1968 Olympics. Dixon also helped her teams队mate
with a second place at the Indoor Track and Field Championships.
There were also four other Kansas athletes that received individual awards. Senior guard Angel Goodrich received the Jayhawker Award, which was given to the person who exuded mental toughness in the face of adversity and competition.
Other award winners included the volleyball team who claimed two honors by winning the highest GPA and the CHAMPS award.
Recent graduate Leah Daiber received the award for best Jayhawk in a supporting role with her work with the softball team.
The Crimson Climb Award was presented to former defensive back Anthony Davis. The award was given to the student-athlete
who made consistent academic progress and overcame academic challenges.
Andrea Geubelle was awarded the True Blue Award. The award was given to the athlete who demonstrated an ability to excel in academics and athletics on campus and in the community. Geubelle finished her career making eight All-American teams at Kansas.
Before entering the Lied Center all participants came in on a red carpet, complete with camera lights flashing and interviews.
Edited by Luke Ranker
After loss, football prepares for TCU
FOOTBALL
Saturday's 25-24 loss to Rice is not how Kansas had hoped to end their second week of play. Coach Charlie Weis and defensive coordinator Dave Campo pointed out the team's weaknesses and how they can become a better defense in the second game of the season.
FARZIN VOUSOUGHIAN
fvousoughian@kansan.com
The defense wanted to build off their five takeaways from South Dakota State. They pulled away with three in the first quarter against Rice, but there were no more to follow after that. The defense was given an 11-point lead that they thought they could easily secure. But as 44,683 fans in Memorial Stadium witnessed, Rice found a way to score just enough points to hand Kansas their first loss of the season.
"We've practiced multiple situations," said senior defensive end Toben Opurum. "We've been through situations like this before in the past and the biggest test for us is to see how we respond to this."
The Jayhawks defense spent a good amount of time in the film room reviewing their holes and figuring out how to contain junior quarterback Taylor McHargue. McHargue's versatility was something the defense managed to stop for a majority of the game, until the fourth quarter. McHargue led his offense to two fourth down conversions in the game and one crucial third and seven play that eventually set
up the game-winning field goal to stun Kansas.
"I thought we did a pretty good job the majority of the game," said junior linebacker Holden Tharp. "Obviously we gave up some big pass plays in the end. But I think as far as his scrambling, we did a pretty good job against him."
Even before the game, Kansas held themselves to higher standards and were upset that things ended with Rice leaving Memorial Stadium with a win.
"I didn't anticipate a loss," Tharp said. "You never anticipate losing a game. Obviously, there are going to be growing pains. But with this loss, obviously we have to take that in a positive way and grow from it and come back ready to work next week by getting ready for TCU."
Kansas has moved on from this game and is trying to prepare for conference play. As disappointed as they are from this loss, they have bigger things ahead with a high-powered offense, TCU, coming into Memorial Stadium this Saturday.
The Jayhawks know that as frustrating as this loss is, they can't keep their heads down. Their mindset must change this week in practice to prevent another loss to their season record.
"In the past we kind of let it hold us down for too long and we end up having negative seasons because of that." Opurm said. "We've got to be able to bounce back and get back on the right path."
—Edited by Whitney Bolden