NEW SPORTS The Kansas women's soccer and women's rowing teams will experience firsts this weekend. Page 4B
SPORTS ERSITY DAILY KANS
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
FRIDAY OCTOBER 13, 1995
Football coverage was fair
Good morning, class.
On my lesson plan for today, we were going to discuss the Kansan sports desk's coverage of the Kansas football team.
Did I hear a snicker back there?
SECTION B
Anyway, readers have said the paper was unfair in its coverage. One even went as far as to say, "Ha, ha! You guys really stink." The sports desk, especially the columnists, need to quit dogging the team, the readers said.
Here's the first lesson for today. I hope you're all taking notes. It is not the Kansan's job to support the team. The paper is not comprised of a bunch of cheerleaders. If it's cheerleaders you want, I suggest you try the Memorial Stadium side-
investtontarrow.
One football player, whom I have a class with and who shall remain nameless, recently said the team had a hard time deciding whose side the Kansan was on.
Do you see anything wrong with that, class?
SPORTS EDITOR
That's right. Journalists don't take sides. They
recount facts and truths in an unbiased manner.
As KU students, however, the sports staff members are Jayhawk fans. Deep down in their hearts, they want the Jayhawks to succeed. They just can't let that show when they report the news.
What's that? Oh, what about columnists, you ask? Well, columnists do have a little different role. It is their job to give their opinion and then to back it up with facts.
After the recent outcry about several football columns, I decided to do some research.
I have found that the columnist's opinions have been backed up sufficiently, and I'll give you some examples of this.
No, no, no. I'm not going to give my opinion on the columns. Whether I agree with the columnists is irrelevant. You don't have to agree either, but you do have to respect the stances and the writers themselves.
In one of his columns, Tom Erickson wrote that Kansas was the luckiest top 25 team in the country. With another play, Houston and Cincinnati could have defeated the Jayhawks. By the abundance of sighing in the stands, it was obvious that others knew that.
Luck is part of the game, though. It combined with some good playing to result in Jayhawk victories and a No.24 ranking.
You have a question? What about the columnists that alluded to Kansas' first big test against Colorado, huh?
Looking at the first five games — Cincinnati, North Texas, Texas Christian, Houston and Colorado — no one could deny that the Buffaloaes were the best opponents. That thought only escalated when Colorado throttled Texas A&M and Oklahoma, teams with national championship hopes at the beginning of the season.
When the columnists wrote that Colorado was the real deal, they called things as they saw them and took a chance.
Huh? Yeah, you're right. They were wrong. But at the time, there weren't many complaints. Only after the Jayhawks won and moved into the top 10 did the Kansas supporters really start to surface. I wonder where they were when the Kansan still was expressing doubts?
Some fans who took a more outwardly supportive stance before the Colorado game, though I really amolaud them.
And I really applaud my fellow columnists. The columns were rooted in fact. If several of them were printed now, though, they wouldn't fly. But even now after the Jayhawks' win, I still wouldn't change anything.
Of course, hindsight is 20/20.
Well, you're right. I might change one thing. I would like to set the reader straight who thinks that I'm a Colorado fan.
I'm anything but that.
'Late Night' vigor may help recruit player
Bv Matt Irwin
He's big, he's strong, and he'll be in Lawrence for "Late Night with Roy Williams."
Kansan sportswriter
But he's not just another Kansas basketball
fan. He is Cornelius "C.J." Black, and he may be performing at "Late Night" in the years to come.
Black, a 6-foot-8 1/2, 260-pound forward from Brainerd High School in Chattanooga, Tenn., is being recruited by the Kansas men's basketball team. It will hold its first practice at midnight Saturday. Doors open for "Late
Night" at 7 p.m. tomorrow.
Most recruiting analysts place Black in the top 25 to 100 players. ESPN ranks Black in its top 50 players, although his statistics last season did not stand out. Black averaged 13 points, seven rebounds and four blocked shots, helping his team finish second in the state playoffs.
"Brainier High School is a powerhouse in this state," said William Williams, Athlon Sports College Basketball editor. "He's big, aggressive, hard-working, and he's strong in the classroom."
As is the trend with Jayhawk recruits, Black already has qualified academically.
Back already has quantified academically Chattanooga Times assistant sports editor Stan Crawley said that Black's statistics from last season weren't stellar because there were two outstanding seniors on his team.
Crawley said that Black had narrowed down his college choices to Kansas, Tennessee. Wake Forest and Maryland.
While Athlon's Williams believes Black will sign with Tennessee, Crawley said that he thought it would depend on his visit this weekend to Kansas.
"He had a great visit to Tennessee," Crawley said. "I know he really likes Kansas. We think his decision will come down to Tennessee or Kansas. Whatever happens this weekend I think will be very crucial. If Kansas really impresses him, he'll sign with Kansas."
Crawley said that Black planned to visit Wake Forest the weekend after "Late Night."
Mark Mayemura, managing editor of Blue Chip Illustrated said that "Late Night" was the only big basketball event before the early signing period. The early signing period
Mayemura said that Black would fit in well with the Jayhawks because of his unselfish nature.
starts Nov. 8 and ends Nov. 15. The late signing period starts April 10 and ends May 13.
"It's real important to put your best foot forward," Mayemura said. "It's a chance to see how excited fans are for the basketball season."
"A lot has to do with chemistry," Mayemura said about why certain players are recruited. "He's not real explosive, but he's real consistent. He's a smart player. He'd fit in well with the chemistry."
Recruiting analyst Bob Gibbons agreed.
"Kansas wanted to bring in a strong physical front-court player," Gibbons said. "He would give them a physical presence to offset Raef LaFrentz and T.J. Pugh."
KANSAS FOOTBALL
Respect for'Hawks is on the rise
Matt Flickner / KANSAN
Kansas senior running back L.T. Levine breaks through the Colorado defensive line during Saturday's 40-24 victory in Boulder, Colo. The No. 10 Jayhawks will face Iowa State at 1 p.m. tomorrow in Memorial Stadium.
Pigskin Predictions Oct.14 and 15, 1995
Jenni Carlson
Kansan Sports Editor
Record: Last Week 1-4
Season 20-10
Tom Erickson
Kansan Associate Sports
Editor
Record: Last Week 2-3
Season 20-10
Chris Austin
Kansas Sports Columnist
Record: Last Week 3-2
Season 22-8
Dallas @ San Diego
New England @ Kansas City
Oklahoma vs. Dallas
Florida @ Auburn
Iowa St. @ Kansas
KU 38 ISU 17
Aub. 20 Fla. 17
OU 24 Tex. 23
K.C. 28 N.E. 14
Dal. 14 S.D. 10
KU 24 ISU 13
Fla. 28 Aub. 24
OU 35 Tex. 21
K.C. 21 N.E. 3
Dal. 28 S.D. 13
KU 37 ISU 13
Aub. 24 Fla. 23
OU 34 Tex. 17
K.C. 28 N.E. 14
Dal. 27 S.D. 13
KU 42 ISU 17
Fla. 38 Aub. 21
OU 28 Tex. 24
K.C. 31 N.E. 21
Dal. 29 S.D. 17
Guest of the Week: Janine Gracy Health Educator, Watkins Health Center Guests' Record: 19-11
By Robert Sinclair
Kansan sportswriter
One week ago, although undefeated and ranked No. 24, the Kansas football team went into its game against then-No. 4 Colorado without much respect or national recognition.
What a difference a week makes.
Now Kansas has a No. 10 ranking, has sold out its game with Nebraska a month in advance and is expecting its biggest crowd so far this season against Iowa State for homecoming on Saturday. The game kicks off at 1 p.m. in Memorial Stadium.
So why isn't Kansas football coach Glen Mason mason?
"Anytime you start thinking you're real good, you're about one play away from being disappointed," he said.
"We improved each and every week when people were saying bad things about us. I wish they would continue to write bad things rather than good things."
Arguably, after last week's 40-14 victory against
downs in just five games. This gives him an average of 200.2 yards and two touchdowns a game, as well as 6.5 yards a carry.
The Cyclone back is only the eighth player in NCAA history to accumulate 1,000 yards after five games.
"He's the real deal. He's an outstanding running back," Mason said.
Andy Rohrback/KANSAN
Iowa State also has the second-best receiver in the conference in sophomore Ed Williams. Williams has 24 reception for 369 yards but only has one touchdown reception.
Iowa State junior quarterback Dodd Toxon has the ability either
Home is where the heart is
Kansas offensive coordinator Golden Pat Ruel on this weekend's game with Iowa State:
"I think we've got a great opportunity this week to continue our quest. It's homecoming and I want it to be a happy homecoming."
1994 homecoming: Kansas 24 vs. Oklahoma State 14
1993 homecoming; Kansas 35 vs. Iowa State 20
1992 homecoming Kansas 27 vs.
Oklahoma 10
1991 homecoming: Kansas 41 vs. Iowa State O
1990 homecoming: Kansas 27 vs.
Kansas State 24
Colorado, it's hard to find anything bad to say. Just ask Iowa State football coach Dan McCarney.
"They're fast; they're physical. They're an extremely tough football team mentally and physically," he said. "I don't see any weaknesses."
Sound familiar? McCarney's comments are eerily similar to the way Mason described heavily-favored Colorado last week.
"I guess it gives you hope that on any given Saturday, somebody who's an underdog can win," McCarney said of the Jayhawks' victory.
One of the keys to the Jayhawks' victory last week was senior quarterback Mark Williams, who earned the Big Eight Conference offensive player of the week award. Like Williams, Iowa State sophomore running back Troy Davis — a previous player of the week — has the potential to control a football game.
Davis is leading the nation in rushing with 1,001 yards and 10 touch-
to throw or run the ball, and he is protected by a talented offensive line, Mason said.
Kansas junior center Jim Stiebel, however, thinks he knows how to stop the Cyclone attack.
"We know — as an offensive team — we've got to have ball control and keep the ball in our hands so he doesn't have a chance to look impressive," Stiebel said.
its offense's chances.
Kansas has to feel good about
Kansas senior running back L.T. Levine and junior running back June Henley are the fifth- and sixthbest rushers in the conference. Respectively, their 90.25 and 90.20 yards-agame average rank tied for 45th nationally.
Williams also is ranked 45th in passing efficiency.
However, Kansas offensive coordinator Golden Pat Ruel doesn't put much stock in awards.
"It doesn't mean anything right now unless he's the Big Eight player of the week next week," Ruel said. "We've already forgotten the Colorado game at this point."
Ruel does not care about the top 10 ranking either.
"This is like a 12-round heavyweight bout," he explained. "To be No. 9 (in the USA Today/CNN coaches poll) at this point is not very important; to be No. 9 at the end of the season, I'd say we had a very successful season."
Volleyball match will rev up 'Late Night' celebration
Game between Kansas, K-State will set the stage for basketball festivities
By Bill Petulla Kansan sportswriter
Following a three-game sweep against Missouri on Wednesday, the Kansas volleyball team is taking its show to the prime time as it takes on Kansas State at 8 p.m. tomorrow in Allen Field House.
In their first meeting this season with the Wildcats, the Jayhawks will kick off "Late Night with Rov
Williams."
"The whole team is looking forward to it," Kansas assistant volleyball coach Liz Muir said. "It also gives the game of volleyball some exposure."
For Kansas State, tomorrow night will be a chance to get back on the winning track. The Wildcats, who began the season with wins against Rice, Wisconsin and Purdue, have slumped lately, dropping their last three matches.
"We need to play with more consistency and be smarter on the court," Kansas State volleyball coach Jim Moore said. "We're going to have to start doing the
things that we did earlier this year."
The Wildcats (13-5 overall and 1-3 in the Big Eight Conference) will depend on junior outside hitter Yolanda Young, who led the Wildcats with 381 kills last year. She was named a second-team all-Big Eight selection last season.
Middle blocker Kate DeClerk will lead the Wildcats front-line charge. The 6-foot-2 junior had 113 blocks last season.
"I think we gained a lot of confidence, and we responded well emotionally as a team." Muir said.
Kansas (6-12 overall and 1-4 conference play) will try to build off its first conference victory against Missouri.
Although the Jayhawks made quick work of the Tigers, they will need to step up their game against Kansas State.
"We're going to have to play a total game against Kansas State," Muir said. "Defense wins games for us, so we're going to have to focus on defense."
Leading the Jayhawks into battle is middle blocker/right side hitter Maggie Mohrfeld. The sophomore broke Kansas' all-time single match service record by recording seven aces Wednesday night. The record had stood since Sept. 24.
1986, when Catalina Suarez registered six aces against Missouri.
Kansas senior middle blocker Jenny Larson also played a large part in the victory against the Tigers. She finished the night with 11 kills and six block assists.
With the doors opening at 7 p.m. for "Late Night," the match between these two rival schools promises to be the highest-attended home match of the Jayhawks' season.
"I'm excited for our team and the sport. People who don't usually go to the matches will be there and will see how exciting it is and might get hooked," Muir said.