Section B·Page 4
The University Daily Kansan
Friday, October 8.1999
Sunflower Showdown
'Hawks ready to tame Wildcats
Continued from page 1A
will play, but have been hampered by injuries, as have safety Chad Coellner, tight end Jason Gulley and cornerback Andrew Davison.
Things are tough enough with how the Wildcats have dominated the series the last six years. Kansas has been outscored 212-63, during that time, including a 54-6 dabble last year.
"The first time I played in Manhattan, that's when I really got the feeling that they hate you," right guard Marc Owen said.
To top it off, the Jayhawks have to play in Manhattan in front of 50,000 Wildcats fans — something no Kansas player ever wants
What gives the Jayhawks hope is that this isn't the same K-State team that came to Lawrence last year. Gone is quarterback Michael Bishop, Heisman Trophy runner-up and first team All-Big 12, which eases Allen's mind a bit.
"They don't have a Michael Bishop back there. He was a difference maker. Nothing against Beasley and Helm, but they're not
Michael Bishop," he said.
"But they're just as good defensively, if not better."
The Wildcats are ranked ninth in NCAA Division I in total defense, including a pasting of 16th ranked Texas last week. Texas had a 14-6 after the first half, but in the second half the Wildcats shut down the Longhorns — a team with a more proficient offense than Kansas.
"Texas tried to do some things against them and didn't have much success with them," Allen said.
So why don't they turn tail and run?
Because no win would be sweeter for Kansas than a win against K-State.
"We've played in big games before. This
"The first time I played in Manhattan, that's when I really got the feeling that they hate you,"
Marc Owens Right guard
is just another big game," Hill said.
Another big game with bragging rights for the entire state. The winner of the game gets bragging rights until the next year — something both fans and football players want.
"A lot of local guys, they really get up for K-State, you can tell it's big," Owen said. It's so big that the seniors like Coellner can't think about anything but winning. "It'd be the highlight of my career," he said.
Edited by Chris Hopkins
Kansas wide receiver Michael Chandler leaps to haul in Kansas' only touchdown pass in last year's game against Kansas State. Kansas travels to Manhattan tomorrow to face the Wildcats. Photo by Matt J. Druckher/KANSAN
Daugherty/KANSAN
Statistics favor K-State in match-up with Kansas
By Michael Rigg sports@kansan.com
Kansan sportwriter
On paper, the Kansas State Wildcats seem to have it all for tomorrow's game against the Kansas Jayhawks. They are ranked in the Top 10 in both major polls, boast the nation's ninth-ranked defense and feature some of the Big 12 Conference's best defenders in linebacker Mark Simoneau and safety Jerrod Cooper.
However, just because K-State seems to have all of the necessary components for a victory, it doesn't mean coach Bill Snyder isn't worried about tomorrow's matchup.
"It's a very big ball game," Snyder said. "It's one of those ball games against a team that is building. They will be highly motivated for this ball game, so it's important for us to be equally motivated."
However, Kansas faces a different Kansas State team than it faced in last season's game. The Wildcats lost 12 starters from the 1998 squad, including standout quarterback Michael Bishop, linebacker Jeff Kelly, and K-State's all-time leading rusher, Eric Hickson.
Motivation shouldn't be a problem for the Wildcats tomorrow, as they play their bitter in-state rival. The Jayhawks have not defeated Kansas State since 1992 and were beaten soundly in last season's 54-6 Wildcat victory.
Snyder said the losses admittedly have taken a toll on his team's talent level.
"I don't think we're as good of a football team as we were a year ago," Snyder said.
Despite the drop-off in talent from last season, the Wildcats already are taking steps to duplicate last season's remarkable 11-0 regular season. K-State is 4-0 heading into tomorrow's game and is coming off a huge road win against Texas last Saturday. After the 35-17 victory against the Longhorns, the Wildcats
creep back into the Top 10 of both major polls. They are currently No. 9 in the AP poll and No. 10 in the coaches' poll.
"We've found ways to win big football games this season, especially on the road," Snyder said. "But are we as good as last season? No."
K-State will enter tomorrow's Sunflower Showdown with another quarterback change. Two weeks ago, the Wildcats were trailing Iowa State 28-7 when Snyder replaced starter Jonathan Beasley with backup Adam Helm. Helm led the Wildcats to a 35-28 win, and started against the Longhorns before being replaced by Beasley.
Beasley will start against Kansas tomorrow, and this week Snyder renewed his faith in the much-maligned senior quarterback.
"He's our No. 1 quarterback," Snyder said. "He'll be our guy."
Next to Beasley, tomorrow will be dangerous because of running back David Allen. On top of his running back chores, Allen can set a NCAA record for most career punt returns for a touchdown with a score tomorrow, and Kansas coach Terry Allen is wary of the dangerous punt returner.
"He's a guy who can make plays when he touches the ball back there." Allen said.
ball back there," Allen said.
On defense, the Wildcats feature four preseason All-Big 12 Conference selections: Simoneau, Cooper, defensive back Lamar Chapman, and defensive lineman Darren Howard.
Despite the outstanding individual talent, many experts said K-State's defense would be caught in a downward spiral this season. However, the Wildcat defense, which ranks eighth in the nation in scoring defense, hasn't surprised its coach.
"We've played very well on defense," Snyder said. "But I don't think that's a surprise."
— Edited by Julia Nicholson
Kyle Ramsey/KANSAN
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