JIM UNIVERSITY DARRY KANSAN
FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2006
SPORTS
9A
ATHLETIGS CALENDAR
TODAY
Soccer vs. Furman, 5 p.m., Jayhawk Soccer Complex
SATURDAY
Volleyball vs. Miami, 11 a.m., Crimson Tide Invitational, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Volleyball vs. Alabama A&M, 4:30 p., Crimson Tide Invitational, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
SUNDAY
Volleyball vs. Alabama, 7 p.m., Crimson Tide Invitational, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Soccer vs. Loyola Marymount, 1 p.m., Jayhawk Soccer Complex
GOAL (CONTINUED FROM 10A)
This season both Hanley and Quinn are healthy and in Kansas' exhibition game against Drake University, the two played equal minutes. But instead of looking at their situation as an inconvenience, both goalkeepers see the bright side of having two capable starters covering the net.
"Julie's a really good goalkeeper," Quinn said, "and that pushes me even harder when I work with her."
Don't expect any of that out of Kansas' goalkeeping duo, though. Hanley and Quinn are good friends and know that whoever starts will deserve it.
Competition in practice can be positive, but the battle for positions can create problems in college sports. Just last week, an Arizona
State quarterback transferred after losing the starting spot.
Kansan sportswriter Mark Dent can be contacted at mdent@kansan.com.
"We are really competitive around each other," Hanley said, "but it's nice having her around."
- Edited by Elyse Weidner
BUFFALOES (CONTINUED FROM 10A)
With a new regime coming in, there was speculation that Crosby would jump to the NFL. Crosby stayed, though, and the All-American will give Colorado a scoring threat from near midfield. Crosby made five of seven attempts between 50 to 59 yards last season and attempted kicks from 62 to 70 yards this spring for the fans' enjoyment.
Even though Crosby carries the kicker he, he's earned the respect of his teammates - even senior All-Big 12 linebacker Thaddaeus Washington.
"He's a player. He's an athlete." Washington said.
131 tackles and three interceptions.
On the other side of the ball, defensive end Abraham Wright's 13 starts are the only experience on a starting defensive line that, otherwise, didn't start a single game in 2005.
Junior cornerback Terrence Wheatley rejoins the secondary in 2006 after missing all of 2005 because of a wrist injury. Seniors Lorenzo Sims, cornerback, and J.J. Billingsley, strong safety, came into their own in 2005 and combined for
Although Colorado has no shortage of playmakers on defense, the lack of a clear No.1 quarterback has prevented media members from predicting Colorado to repeat as North champions.
Conference media selected Colorado to finish third in the North behind Nebraska and Iowa State.
"As a team, we like being underdogs," Daniels said. "We have to go out and we have to earn every bit of respect we're going to get this year and we're excited to do that."
Washington echoed his teammates' remarks, citing that anything can happen in the North.
"I's wide open," Washington said. "You never know what's going to happen, but I guarantee you can't count the Colorado Buffalos out because we're going to be there in the end."
Kansan sportswriter Shawn Shroyer can be contacted at sshroyer@ kansan.com.
Edited by Erin Wiley
FOOTBALL (CONTINUED FROM 10A)
2. A soft schedule: KU lost to Texas, Oklahoma and Texas Tech in 2005, but will play none of them in 2006. Instead, Kansas will play Baylor, Texas A&M and Oklahoma State, who had a combined record of 14-19 in 2005.
1. Kerry Meier: After KU fans had to watch the painful revolving door at quarterback last season, they will be able to watch a star in the making in redshirt-freshman Kerry Meier. Meier has drawn praise from his coaches and teammates in fall practices, and could be the missing piece
to the offense. Combine Meier with Cornish, a strong and experienced offensive line and a talented group of young receivers, and the offense has great potential in 2006.
Whatever the reason may be, it's going to be an exciting season this fall. The next time you hear the balls going off in the Campanile, just think--it's almost football season.
Kansan sportswriter B.J. Rains is a St. Louis junior in journalism.
Edited by Shanxi Upsdell
49er says goodbye
BY GREG BEACHAM ASSOCIATED PRESS
» NFL
The receiver wore his ring from the 49ers' 1989 Super Bowl championship team on a chain around his neck as he hugged his wife, Jackie, and shook hands with San Francisco owner John York.
Rice signed a one-day contract to retire with the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday, officially ending the receiver's matchless career back where it began.
Rice, who scored more touchdowns than anyone in league history, shed no tears during a short signing ceremony on the fields at the training complex.
owne, join us.
"I would like to put the uniform on and run on that football field, but I think it's time to move on." Rice said, gesturing toward the fields where the current 49ers were practicing. "I feel welcome here. I feel like this is my home, and this is something I'll never forget."
Rice, who will turn 44 in October, hasn't played since parting ways with the Broncos before last season, holding his first retirement news conference last September in Denver. He spent three seasons in Oakland after leaving the 49ers, then played a final year with the Seattle Seahawks.
Rice became a vagabond in his final years, still searching for another chance to prove he hadn't lost a step in his 40s. But San Francisco fans still remember Rice in his incredible prime, when he made most of his 197 touchdown receptions while playing for several powerhouse teams and three Super Bowl winners.
"He played with a burning passion that the NFL had never seen before," York said. "It's great to see him back with the 49ers."
"This is where I got my start," Rice said. "This is where my legacy is at. This is where my heart got started, and this is where I'm going to end it."
Rice's 208 total touchdowns are 33 more than second-place Emmitt Smith. Rice holds NFL records with 1,549 receptions for 22,895 yards, and also holds the top single-season marks of 1,848 yards and 22 touchdowns.
Jayhawks look to get fast-paced start
SOCCER
New bermuda grass surface one highlight to season opening games
BY MARK DENT
Anyone who plans to attend Kansas' opening weekend of soccer games may want to heed this simple advice: Do not blink an eye, because you could miss something.
Loyola Marymount could also prove to be a formidable foe for the Jayhawks.
"We've got a lot of new kids who are extremely fast," Kansas coach Mark Francis said. "You can't coach speed; it's a good thing to have."
Today, the Jayhawks will attempt to blow by their first regular season opponent as they take on Furman at 5 p.m. On Sunday, Kansas will play host to Loyola Marymount at 1 p.m.
Both games are at the Jayhawk Soccer Complex, which has a new bermuda grass surface that will complement Kansas' run and gun ways.
"I requested this new surface because it is better for us," Francis said. "We will be able to play a lot faster, and it will really help our team."
Kansas may be fast, but its offense sagged in a preseason tie against Drake. Kansas managed to only score one point and had just four shots on goal. Francis attributed part of the offense's struggles to inexperience.
Freshmen Shannon McCabe and Kim Boyer both started at forward, and freshman Monica Dolinsky played significant minutes. Senior Jessica Kilpatrick, who sat out last season, also played on the offensive side of the ball.
"At practice we've been working a lot on offense," sophomore midfieider Jessica Bush said, "especially
on final balls and getting ready to attack."
While the players fine-tuned their offense, Francis tried to figure out a lineup. He has said his team is stacked with talent, and it showed during the Drake game. A total of 20 players got on the pitch last Friday, nearly the entire roster.
Any lineup will have to perform well today against a Furman team that finished 14-6-2 last season. The Paladins of the Southern Conference came up one victory shy of qualifying for the 2005 NCAA Tournament when they lost their conference tournament championship game.
"We tried to play a lot of people on Friday," Francis said. "This game we're just going to keep players in as long as they're doing well."
Though the Lions won only six games last season, they narrowly lost to preseason ranked Cal State Fullerton in an exhibition game this fall.
"I told my teammates I can't wait to be in front of my family and friends," senior forward Holly Gault said. "I'm excited to get out there and perform."
Kansas appears ready for any challenge that either of the two teams may bring.
Kansan sportswriter Mark Dent can be contacted at mdent@kansan.com.
Edited by Erin Wiley
6