Lawrence Tynes kicked a 53-yard field goal to upset the San Diego Chargers.The Chiefs' victory was unexpected after last week's loss. 6B
mint
The new 2007 baseball season schedule will have the Jayhawks playing their first home game earlier than they've played it in the past 20 years.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2006
WWW.KANSAN.COM
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
3B
SPORTS
PAGE1B
FOOTBALL
Same old, same old
Duane A. Laverty/ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kansas continued its losing streak when it fell to Baylor 36-35 in Waco, Texas, on Saturday. The Jayhawks once again gave up the lead during the fourth quarter causing them to lose the game, which seems to have become a common occurrence.
Fourth quarter continues to plague all aspects of team's performance
BY RYAN SCHNEIDER
After four straight close losses, the fourth quarter can certainly be identified as Kansas' nemesis.
In the fourth quarter of the past three games — losses to Oklahoma State, Texas A&M and Baylor — Kansas has been outscored 54-19. In the first three quarters, the Jayhawks put up an average of 22 points. But in the fourth quarter, Kansas has put up an average of only four points.
This lack of fourth-quarter scoring and the defense's propensity to give up big points have been the primary reason for Kansas' struggles in the last month.
"We've certainly had some breakdowns in all phases: kicking game, as well as offense and defense," Nick Quartaro, offensive coordinator, said Monday. "To be honest, we're a play away in many, many cases."
The frustration after a month's worth of close calls is finally beginning to set in.
The good news for Kansas is that despite serious injury problems on both offense and defense, the scores have been close in all its losses this season. The flip side, though, is that the Jayhawks have had the lead late in every game and couldn't manage to hang on to it.
"How many times is this going to happen where we're in the fourth quarter with a lead?" Jon Cornish, senior running back, said after Saturday's game. "Me, it's unacceptable. We're going to do the things necessary to prevent it from happening — again."
Preventing these fourth-quarter collapses, Kansas coach Mark Mangino has said all season, comes from working in practice. The team needs continual practice because of the number of young players, especially on the defense. Injuries and graduation of last season's starters have forced Mangino and his staff to put younger players on the field.
"Defensively, at one point Saturday, we had seven redshirt freshmen and a couple true freshmen in action for us," Quartaro said. "Those kids are learning on the run and actually getting better all the time."
Football Notes:
Lamb Honored:
Senior wide receiver Jonathan Lamb was named as a semifinalist for the Draddy Award. The award honors players who excel in academics, football and community service. It's given out each year by the National Football Foundation and the College Football Hall of Fame. Lamb made the first start
of his career in Saturday's loss at Baylor. He had two punt returns, including a 52 yard return deep into Baylor territory.
Cornish moving up all-time list:
Cornish moving up all-time list:
Senior running back Jon Cornish recorded his 10th 100-yard game, moving him to sixth on the all-time list. His next 100-yard game would tie him for fourth place, with Kansas great Gayle Sayers.
Kansan senior sportswriter Ryan Schneider can be contacted at rschneider@kansan.com.
Edited by Nicole Kelley
Arm injury leaves starting quarterback's status unknown for next game
BY RYAN SCHNEIDER
Running back Jon Cornish should be ready to play this Saturday against Colorado, but the health of quarterback Kerry Meier's right arm is still unknown.
After the starting running back and quarterback suffered injuries on Sunday during Kansas' loss, one player's status remains unclear.
Cornish appears to be fine after he was taken out of Saturday's game by coach Mark Mangino. The running back was seen limping in the second half, but after the game Cornish disputed the injury claims and said he could have played the rest of the game.
In the first half of Saturday's loss at Baylor, Cornish had 134 yards on 13 carries and two touchdowns. However, in the second half, when he was seen limping off the field, Cornish had just nine carries for 62 yards.
"We anticipate that with good
As for Meier, who left Saturday's game after being tackled out of bounds at the end of the third quarter, his status for the Colorado game is still uncertain. Quartaro said Meier would be receiving treatment on Monday, the team's off day. He said Meier's game status would become more clear after Tuesday's practice.
Quartaro was participating in the Big 12 Conference Football Coaches Teleconference for Mangino, who was unavailable because of a family emergency.
treatment and be back to work tomorrow that he should be doing fine," offensive coordinator Nick Quartaro said.
This is the second injury for Meier in the past month. On Sept. 23 in Toledo, Meier was injured early in the fourth quarter when he was tackled after a rushing play. Following Saturday's loss at Baylor, Mangino said the injury Meier suffered this week was similar to the one he sustained in Toledo.
The injuries to both Meier and Cornish seemed to affect the offense in the fourth quarter. Without the threat of the quarterback rush with senior Adam Barmann in the game, Baylor was able to crowd the line of scrimmage and stop Cornish and his backup, freshman Jake Sharp.
Meier missed three games earlier this season because of the injury in the Toledo game.
"I don't know if it was Jon's situation as much as the overall situation we were trying to do, which was obviously move the football and yet still be as efficient as we can be moving the chains and trying to put points up." Quartaro said. "It didn't really change anything too dramatically at all."
Quartaro said the injuries had no effect on the game plan.
Kansan senior sportswriter Ryan Schneider can be contacted at rschneler@kansan.com.
Edited by Dianne Smith
Duane A. Laverty/ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kansas running back Jon Cornish scores a touchdown in the second quarter on Saturday in Waco, Texas. Cornish and quarterback Kerry Meier were later taken out of the game because of injuries.
12
BASEBALL
Dugout a family affair for freshman
BY ALISSA BAUER
Bochy was climbing the stairs in the San Diego Padres dugout.
As the freshman KU baseball player's current teammates strut-
Most of Brett Bochy's fellow Jayhawks were just beginning to climb the little-league ladder at 8 years old.
ted through their local sand-lots, Bochy was suited up as the Padres batboy from 1995-1998. During that time, Bochy spent much of his time at Qualcomm
Bochy
Stadium in San Diego, where his father, Bruce, was the team's manager.
"I try not to get too into it and stay down now." Brett said.
Low-key and humble about his upbringing, Bochy admits that baseball, particularly the Major League type, and the Padres have always been a part of his life.
His dad's illustrious career at the helm of the Padres is merely the latest achievement he has accomplished in the sport.
Before Brett's dad became the active manager ranked fourth in wins with his current club — behind Bobby Cox, Joe Torre and Tony LaRussa — Bruce Bochy was a major-league catcher. He spent the last six years of his playing career with San Diego and its AAA affiliate before joining the Padres' minor-league coaching staff. From there, Bochy moved up to coaching third base for the Padres for two years before he was offered the manager position prior to the start of the 1995 season. He wrapped up his 12th season as the Padres manager earlier this month, a position he has held for more than 60 percent of Brett's life.
"I knew he was interested in going to a four-year school," Price said. "He wanted that atmosphere of a major university. He wouldn't have gotten that by going to a junior college."
Price was happy to hear Bochy's intent and signed him as a Jayhawk earlier this year. Bochy was across the country in Lawrence while his dad's team went 88-74 this season and collected its second consecutive National League West pennant.
"Obviously Brett comes from one of the best baseball families in the country." KU coach Ritch Price said.
Price met the incoming freshman when Brett was 12 years old. At the time, Brett's brother, Greg, was playing for Price at Cal Poly. Price's son and fellow incoming freshman, Robby, became friends with Brett and the two kept in touch after Price left California to take over as the baseball coach at Kansas.
Bochy said his brother's experience with Price at Cal Poly influenced his decision to come to Kansas. He called Price and told the coach he wanted to be a Jayhawk.
With plans to fly home to Poway, Calif., for fall break, Bochy saw the silver lining when the St. Louis Cardinals ended the Padres' post-season.
"I'm sure he was disappointed," Brett said. "But it was cool also that they didn't go any further. I got the chance to hang out with him."
Brett said even though baseball kept his dad busy, growing up with a big leaguer in the house was easier than it might seem.
SEE BOCHY ON PAGE 3B