8A
SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
TUESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2006
MEIER (CONTINUED FROM 10A)
"I didn't really have that option," Mangino said of pulling the red-shirt. "When he was detected with the medical problem, that erased that. By the time he was physically ready, from a development standpoint, he wouldn't have been ready to play and we didn't want to waste a year on a guy that really could have four really great years at KU."
Although Meier said playing time was one of the main reasons he chose to be a lajhawk, sitting out last season proved to be valuable. Not only did he get a chance to adjust to the college lifestyle and get to know his coaches, Meier also got a chance to learn the offense without the pressure of facing an opposing defense.
"The whole redshirt season was a big-time learning experience," Meier said. "I was learning about the whole college deal. Through my brothers, I was learning little things here and there. It was a huge year, and I made the most of it."
One cool kid
With his carefree attitude and free-flowing mane of nearly shoulder-length blonde hair, Meier looks more like the typical California surfer than a highly-touted college quarterback. Teammates say he walks cool, talks cool and even eats lunch cool, if such a thing is possible.
But looks can be deceiving.
Instead, Meier takes the calm and confidence that oozes from his laid-back personality and channels it toward creating stability at a position that has been a revolving door the past two seasons. Hidden inside that cool exterior is a burning desire to prove himself. Despite being the presumed starter for nearly nine months, Meier still finds himself looking over his shoulder.
"You've got to go in there with the attitude that there's guys behind you." Meier said. "It's never a secure lock that you're going to play, you have to come out and prove yourself every day."
Meier's ability to step into the starting role and play at a level above most other freshmen has
been impressive, but what has stood out most to his teammates is that calm, confident attitude.
In the huddle on the practice field or scrambling through the defense, Meier never seems flustered. Even while scrambling downfield for a 15-yard rushing touchdown at last week's Fan Appreciation Day, Meier just calmly strolled into the end zone. He receives a few high fives from teammates as he heads for the sideline, but does not partake in any fancy celebrations or choreographed routines.
In contrast to teammates bouncing around on the sideline, hyping themselves up, Meier stands quietly. He credits part of that relaxed gameday attitude to the mix of Grateful Dead and Widespread Panic music that is a staple in his pregame routine.
He's been able to maintain that attitude, in part, because he'll lead an offense that returns seven starters, including nearly the entire offensive line and an experienced running back. Even seniors, like running back Jon Cornish, know Meier is capable of finding success.
"From the second he got here, he just had that special aura around him," Cornish said. "I think it's not going to be very obvious that he is a freshman."
An anticipated debut
In nearly a month of practice with the first-team offense, Meier has had plenty of ups and downs. Interceptions, batted-down passes and fumbled handoffs have been just as much a part of Meier's learning process as scrambling downfield out of the pocket or a pass perfectly threaded between two defenders. Even so, Kansas coach Mark Mangino has high expectations for his prized quarterback.
"I've been around some really good quarterbacks," Mangino said of his stops as an assistant coach at Oklahoma and Kansas State." Josh Heupel, Jason White and Michael Bishop - those guys are really, really good players. Can he be in that category? I think it's possible."
Meier has been the talk of the
Kansas football world since he signed with the Jayhawks, as the nation's 13th-ranked high-school quarterback in 2004. His reputation skyrocketed after his sharp performance in April's spring game. He finished his first action as a Jayhawk 16-of-28 passing for 184 yards and three touchdowns. At open practices, every interception or overthrown pass brings a collective cringe from fans, while every completed pass triggers wild applause.
Although Meier will be Kansas' youngest starting quarterback since Adam Barmann's 2003 start against Texas A&M, Mangino believes he has the right make-up to succeed.
"He's very intelligent," Mangino said. "When he makes a mistake, he usually turns around and tells the coach before he can get to him."
A quiet confidence
Slowly but surely, the pack of reporters surrounding Meier in that corner outside the Kansas locker room at Memorial Stadium begins to dwindle. He sits, listening attentively, answering the same questions too many times to count.
He repeatedly responds to questions about dealing with the pressure of being a freshman quarterback and whether he thinks it'll be difficult to handle the responsibility. He occasionally flashes a smile in the middle of serious football talk about reading defenses or memorizing the playbook.
That's where his calm, confident side comes out. He's not afraid of expressing his faith in himself, teammates or coaches. It's not a cocky confidence, instead it's the swagger of a guy who's finally getting his chance to live up to the hype already surrounding his game.
"Football is all about being confident," he said. "You have to be self-confident, and you have to display it."
Kansan senior sportswriter Ryan Schneider can be contacted at rschneider@kansan.com.
Edited by Aly Barland
VOLLEYBALL
(CONTINUED FROM 10A)
Last season, the jayhawks posted a 10-6 home record, contrasted with a 4-9 record on the road.
Jana Correa, senior outside hitter, said she was excited to play at home because the team had more confidence playing at Horeksi.
The Kangaroos enter tonight's game under interim head coach Chrissy Elder, who was an assistant last season. Elder is currently the youngest head coach in the nation.
UMKC is lead by Lauren Starks, junior outside hitter/setter, who was the lone 'Roo to be named to the all-tournament team this past weekend, after compiling 34 kills.
UMKC enters tonight's game without two of its top players. Angela Melka, senior outside hitter, and Mandy Tipton, junior libero/defensive specialist, will sit out tonight because of injuries.
The home stay will be brief for the Jayhawks. They will travel to Philadelphia for the Temple Classic, which starts Friday. Kansas plays Temple on Friday, then Maine and Rutgers on Saturday.
Kansan sportswriter Drew Davison can be contacted at ddavison@kansan.com.
Edited by Nicole Kelley
lared Gab/ KANSAN
Laura Rohde Curry, KU alumna, blocks a hit by Jana Cornea, senior outside hitter, during the game Saturday Aug. 19, at the Horeisi Athletic Centers.
OPPONENT (CONTINUED FROM 10A)
With Holmes' move to defense, the Demons lost their top five rushers from 2005, which might cause problems for a team predominantly concerned with running. Slated to start in the backfield is senior Greg Skidmore, who carried the ball just 13 times for 72 yards and a touchdown last season. The touchdown and 34 of those yards came on one carry in Northwestern State's last game.
Stoker said as many as four running backs might see action on Saturday.
receiver from last season in senior wide receiver Derrick Doyle, but there's uncertainty surrounding who the receivers will be catching passes from.
Junior quarterback Ricky Joe Meeks saw action in seven games last season at quarterback, but he has been battling sophomore Roch Charpentier for the No. 1 job.
The Demons do return their top
"I'll play Charpentier somewhere in there, unless Ricky does play extremely well early in the game," Stoker said. "Regardless, I want to get both of them some snaps."
question marks up and down its roster, the Jayhawks haven't lost a nonconference home game since 2003. As a result, Stoker doesn't see Memorial Stadium as an ideal location for his young team's first game of the season.
"I'm not going to tell you I'm looking forward to it, but our kids are excited about it," Stoker said.
Although Kansas has its own
Kansan sportswriter Shawn Shroyer can be contacted at sshroyer@ kansan.com.
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