THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 2007
SPORTS
3B
BIG 12 SEASON PREVIEW
Texas A&M prepares for return to prominence
BY CASE KEEFER
BY CASE KEEFER
ckeefer@kansan.com
A trip to the Holiday Bowl and a 9-3 season would be considered a great football year at most schools. Texas A&M is not one of those schools.
Aggies fans are becoming increasingly eager to return their program to the national prominence it felt in the early 1990s. Coach Dennis Franchione is feeling the pressure more than ever. Franchione compiles a 25-23 record since taking over at Texas A&M and is only 3-14 against Top 25 opponents.
This will be an important year not only for the coach but for the program.
his 6-feet-tall,274 pound frame.
OFFENSE
The Aggies' offense should be practically unstoppable this season. In their backfield resides the Big 12 Conference's best running backs.
Sophomore Mike Goodson can race to the edges or openings with his superb quickness. Junior Jorvorskie Lane carried the ball 166 times last season and barreled over potential tacklers with relative ease because of
Four of the five starting offensive linemen are seniors, including preseason All-American center Cody Wallace. Junior quarterback Stephen McGee is one of the nation's most accurate passers. McGee threw only two interceptions last season while passing for more than 2,000 yards.
Texas A&M faces a tough schedule this season that challenges its roster. With several big away games, the Aggies' postseason and possible Big 12 Conference South title is unpredictable.
McGee's top two wide receivers from last season departed, which might make it tougher to match his statistics from last season. But junior tight end Martellus Bennett returns. He was the Aggies' second leading receiver in 2006.
Record: 9-4 Overall, 5-3 Big
12
DEFENSE
Texas A&M ranked third in the Big 12 against the rush last year. The Aggies could be even better stuffing opponent's running backs this year.
Senior defensive tackle Red Bryant routinely disrupts the rush and is the leader of a defense that returns six starters. Senior defensive end Chris Harrington is a skilled pass rusher and has an outside chance to earn Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors.
While not spectacular, the Aggies' linebackers are certainly formidable.
2006 recap
Bowl game: Holiday Bowl vs California, lost 45-10 Points per game: 27.8 Opponent points per game: 20.5
KANSAN FILE PHOTO
Seniors Mark Dodge and Misi Tupe combined for more than 100 tackles last season. They will start in 2007. The Aggies recruited high school All-American linebacker Derrick Stephens but he was not listed on the depth chart and may be a redshirt.
Junior Danny Gorrer and sophmore Jordan Peterson are returning starters at cornerback, but the secondary should have quite a few players in constant rotation.
SEASON OUTLOOK
On paper, 2007 finally seems to be the year that the Aggies are ready to compete for a Big 12 South title. Texas A&M's roster contains all the right personnel, but the Aggies'
schedule could be the toughest in the Big 12, with road games against Oklahoma, Nebraska, Missouri and Texas Tech.
To win the Big 12 South, they'd likely have to win three of those games, which is simply too difficult
to expect. Without even mentioning the away game at Miami and home contests with Texas and Oklahoma State, it's clear that the Aggies have a tough road ahead.
A shot at the Big 12 title game in San Antonio is still a possibility, but
disappointment in College Station, Texas, may be more likely.
PREDICTION
7-5, Insight Bowl
SOFTBALL
Edited by Meghan Murphy
Jayhawks utilize deep bench to fill empty starting positions
BY BRITT BEASLEY
bbeasley@kansan.com
The Jayhawk softball team is full of high hopes for this coming season. The team looks forward to improving their 33-24-1 record from last year. The team lost two seniors, but numerous strong players returned.
With the loss of pitcher Kassie Humphreys, the Jayhawks look to slide freshman Allie Clark, into her position. Junior Valerie George, who ended last year with a 9-4 record and a 2.11 ERA will join Clark. Sophomore Sarah Vertelta will also return to pitch this season. She
ended last year with a 5-5 record and a 2.89 ERA. Sophomore Caitlin Kennedy will push for a chance to pitch as well.
Junior catcher Elle Pottorf, who led the team last year with nine home runs and 37 RBI, will return this season. But freshman Brittany Hile, who has shown a solid arm, looks to push Pottorf for playing time behind the plate.
"We are excited about what Brittany brings to the team." coach Tracy Bunge said.
Senior Sara Sidebottom will act as the bullpen catcher while she competes for catcher.
Junior Val Chapple will return to play third base for the third year in a row.
"Val defensively stepped her game up for us last year." Bunge said.
Junior Stevie Crisosto will likely stay at shortstop after batting. 302 last year, but freshman Colby Festmier will push her for time. Sophomore Sara Ramirez will play second base. Ramirez will try to improve on her six-home run season last year. Sophomore Amanda Jobe will move from right field to first base. Senior Addy Lucero will also look to put in time at first base. Last year lobe hit .295 for the season while playing
right field and designated hitter.
With Joel the outfieldcould feature sophomore Ally Stanton, speedy senior Betsey Wilson, and junior Dougie McCauley who
"It's fun to be in the Big 12,but it is not a cakewalk because many teams are ranked in the top 25 consistently."
year while batting .265 on the season.
Allie Clark will join the outfield when she is not pitching.
TRACY BUNGE Softball coach
"It's fun to be in the Big 12, but it is not a cakewalk because many teams are ranked in the top 25 consistently," Bunge said.
The team looks to take a step forward offensively and score more runs. This fall season, Bunge said he wanted to switch
worked best.
A new NCAA rule will cut back the number of games the Jayhawks can play in 2008. Currently teams have 56 days to play games. Next season the rule will limit teams to 56 games with a longer time span to play them. This will allow teams to adjust their schedule to their climate.
batted leadoff in every game last players around to see what lineup
The Jayhawk kick off their season with the Jayhawk Softball Triangular against Butler Community College and Missouri Southern on Sept. 22, and Missouri Western on Sept. 23.
》 INTRAMURAL SPORTS
Edited by Luke Morris
Football teams grab their flags, take field as fall season begins
mmorrišs@kansan.com
BY MEGAN MORRISS
Stephanie Furman, Tulsa, Okla. sophomore, was among those in attendance.
Flag football team captains prepared for the upcoming season at an informational meeting Wednesday in the Burge Union.
"We played last year and it was a lot of fun," said Furman, captain of the Alpha Delta Pi team. "A lot of people want to do it, so it's easy to get people involved."
Student Recreation Services offers leagues for men and women.
Battenfield Scholarship Hall, a men's hall, and Miller Scholarship
Hall, a women's hall, have formed a team together.
"We've got a full team," said Sloane Schulz, Hill City junior and Miller resident.
Schulz said she was optimistic about the upcoming game.
The first games of the flag football season were Sunday.
Alpha Delta Pi won the 2006 flag football women's league championship, and the men's open competitive championship went to Lime Green Machine.
intramural sports sign-ups
"We haven't practiced yet," said Tristan Conrad, Andover sophomore and captain of the K.K. Amini Scholarship Hall team. "I actually don't know how well we'll do."
Today is the last day to sign up for these sports:
3 on 3 soccer
Entry fee: $10
Payment times: 2 p.m. to 8
p.m. today and Tuesday
Manager meeting: 7 p.m.
Wednesday in the Student
Recreation Fitness Center
Teams will play throughout each week at Shenk Sports Complex.
Sand Volleyball
Entry Fee: $10
Payment times: 2 p.m. to 8
p.m. today and Tuesday
Manager meeting: 6 p.m.
Wednesday in the recreation
center
Tennis Singles No entry fee or manager meeting.
Student Recreation Services
Edited by Matt Erickson
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