6B
SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAIRY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY,OCTOBER 10,2007
FOOTBALL
Baylor safety Jeremy Williams knocks down umpire Richard Zerr as Colorado's Demetrius Sumler picks up yardage on Saturday in Waco, Texas. Baylor's 20-point loss led to booing by its home fans.
Bears face booing at home
BY CASE KEEFER ckeefer@kansan.com
Most teams would dread playing in Lawrence this weekend. After all, a crowd of around 50,000 fans will fill Memorial Stadium eager to welcome a newly ranked Kansas team home.
But after what happened to Baylor at its stadium last Saturday during a 43-23 defeat to Colorado, the change of scenery may be encouraging. Not many fans attended the thrashing at Floyd Casey Stadium, only 32,276, but they were more than loud enough in voicing their frustration by booing the Bears in the final half.
"It's just a sign of the times these days," Baylor coach Guy Morriss said. "When you're a paid professional and get booed, it's one thing. But when you're a college kid, let's not forget these are nothing but big kids."
In defense of the fans, Baylor real
ly hasn't shown much to cheer about in 2007. Two Big 12 opponents in a row have left the Bears behind en route to massive victories. Baylor's three wins have come against teams with a combined record of 4-12.
Years of pent-up dissatisfaction also reside in Baylor fans. The Bears haven't appeared in a bowl game in 13 years, the longest streak in the conference by 11 years. Morriss was hired to make instances like booming a thing of the past. But not much has changed five years into his tenure.
"Nobody likes to get booed, it's just human nature." Morriss said. "They were probably booing me more than the kids, I guess, but the kids hear and it affects them."
Baylor's offense has amassed enough yards to make it competitive. Junior quarterback Blake Szymanski ranks ninth in the nation in total offense with 324 yards per game.
But it's the details that have haunted the Bears. They've given away
more turnovers than they've forced, committed more than six penalties a game and aren't particularly efficient on special teams.
"It's a combination of all that stuff: false starts, holding, poor throws, dropped passes, dumb penalties," Morris said. "We seem so intent on beating ourselves and we have to get them through that. We certainly aren't teaching that stuff by any means."
Morriss said there would be extra emphasis on limiting penalties in practice this week. He also said if the Bears can improve on those things, he feels they have enough firepower to play with anyone in the Big 12.
He doesn't need to convince Kansas coach Mark Mangino. Despite the turmoil brewing in Waco, Mangino said that viewing Baylor's game films made it obvious that the Bears are capable of better results through the rest of the year.
"Baylor is a very, very good offensive football team," Mangino said. "They are a formidable team and better than their 3-3 record shows."
The Bears may not have appreciated their fans' display of disgust last weekend. But if the Kansas fans are booing them in the second half on Saturday, it should be good news because it would mean they are still in the game.
football notes
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
— Edited by Luke Morris
Coach Mark Mangino announced Kansas's players of the week. Senior defensive tackle James McClinton earned defensive player of the week honors against Kansas State, recording six
McClinton
Kansas football could be appearing on television again Oct. 20. The Jayhawks game at Colorado is one of five Big 12 Conference games eligible for a spot on Versus, FSN, ESPN or ABC. The Big 12 Conference will announce its Oct. 20 schedule Sunday.
tackles and two tackles-for-loss. Junior left guard Adrian Mayes took the offensive player of the week honor after helping pave the way for 170 Kansas rushing yards last Saturday Senior kicker Scott Webb made a 24-yard field goal and booted four kickoffs for touchbacks to win special teams player of the week The scout team offensive player of the week was freshman center Jeremiah Hatch and the scout team defensive player of the week was junior defense end Dustin Spears.
BORDER SHOWDOWN
SELLING OUT
ANOTHER TV GAME?
Less than 1,500 tickets remain available for the Nov. 24 Border Showdown versus Missouri at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. No. 11 Missouri and No. 20 Kansas are each currently 5-0.
Despite sophomore wide receiver Raimond Pendleton's repeated struggles at punt return last Saturday, coach Mark Mangino
PUNT RETURNS
said he had not reevaluated the position. Freshman wide receiver Dezmon Briscoe replaced Pendleton late in the last game but Pendleton is currently listed as the starter. On the season, Pendleton is averaging 12 yards per punt return and has scored one touchdown.
FOCUSING ON NOW
Though the Jayhawks sit just one victory shy of bowl eligibility and two wins short of being assured a bowl篮, the players and coaches have not started looking beyond the Big 12 schedule.The coaching staff does not set any specific numerical goals, instead choosing to focus on fundamentals and on-field performance, Mangino said. Freshman cornerback Chris Harris said the coaches tried to keep the players focused on the team's next game.
Asher Fusco
FOOTBALL
Defense awaits challenge
Baylor passing attack presents test for Kansas secondary
BY ASHER FUSCO afusco@kansan.com
A versatile passing game can wreak havoc on a defense. Cornerbacks wilt in the face of the pressure that comes with one-on-one coverage, linebackers neglect their assignments in the run game and safeties stay preoccupied with not allowing the deep pass. The Baylor Bears' passing game is frighteningly versatile, but it doesn't worry Kansas junior cornerback Agib Talib.
Talib
"It just means that however many times they throw the ball - 55, 60 – we'll have 55 or 60 opportunities to get our hands on the ball," Talib said.
So far this season, Baylor has done a decent job of keeping the ball out of the hands of opposing defensive backs. Sophomore quarterback
Blake Szymanski's 302.5 passing yards per game ranks third in the Big 12 Conference and his touchdown-interception ratio is 5-3.
DARRELL STUCKEY Sophomore free safety
"We're excited to go up against a team that passes a lot so we can show what we can truly do."
The offense designed by Baylor coach Guy Morriss is based on throwing short, quick passes and spreading ball to a number of different receivers. Sixteen Baylor players have caught one or more passes this season and eight players have hauled in more than 10.
T he re v a m p e d Kansas second-ary is allowing just 161 passing yards per game, which is first in the Big 12 and eighth
Kansas coach Mark Mangino said the Bears had played better than their 3-3 record would suggest so far this season and that their offense would test the Kansas pass defense.
have helped out in third-down situations.
in the nation. The Jayhawks have intercepted eight passes this season, including five in the last two games, two of which came in the fourth quarter last Saturday against Kansas State. Saturday, Baylor will match its greatest strength – Szymanski — against a secondary that is quickly becoming Kansas' most prized unit.
"As a secondary, we're excited because we haven't had too much action." Stuckey said. "We're excited to go up against a team that passes a lot so we can show what we can truly do."
nerback Chris Harris have provided steady play alongside Talib, a 2006 All-Big 12 selection. Junior cornerback Kendrick Harper returned from a preseason injury last week and recorded a crucial interception. Reserve free safeties Justin Thornton and Sadiq Muhamme'
throws the ball very well," Mangino said. "They've got a bunch of guys catching balls and they distribute the ball very well so they put stress on the defense in a lot of areas."
"This team
One year ago, Baylor's potent passing attack would have provided Kansas plenty of cause for concern considering the weakness of the Jayhawks' pass defense. The inexperienced and injury-plagued unit finished 2006 ranked last in the nation in passing yards allowed per game and gave up more than 300 passing yards in five games.
Edited by Luke Morris
This season, sophomore free safety Darrell Stuckey is back at full health and junior strong safety Patrick Resby and freshman cor-
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