THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 2007
SPORTS
3B
>>FOOTBALL NOTES
Starting job becoming more likely for Reesing
BY ASHER FUSCO afusco@kansan.com
QUARTERBACK NEWS AND NOTES
Although coach Mark Mangino did not officially name a starter, it appears sophomore Todd Reesing has strengthened his grasp on the starting quarterback job. Reesing took nearly all of the snaps with the first team at Monday's open practice, and Mangino praised the sophomore preseason progress.
"He's poised and he's doing the things we need the quarterback to do to lead this offense." Mangino said. "He's doing a very good job at this point in time and we're excited about what he's doing."
When asked whether sophomore quarterback Kerry Meier was injured, Mangino declined to comment on any specifics. He said health did not have a bearing on the competition for the job of quart
Reesing
for the job of quarterback.
PRESEASON POSITION
BATTLES
The battle for playing time on the offensive line became more interesting on Monday. Junior Rameses Arceo worked at right guard with the first team for much of practice. Arceo, who transferred from a junior college before last season, has never seen regular season action as a Jayhawk. As of now, junior Chet Hartley is Arceo's top competitor for the spot.
Junior Tang Bacheyie is the favorite to start at strong safety when the season begins Sept. 1. Bacheyie, a converted running back, is one of several potential starters. Junior Patrick Resby arrived on campus last spring as a highly touted junior college transfer but has not been able to beat out Bacheyie to earn many reps with the first team.
EMERGING FRESHMEN
Since the beginning of fall practice, Mangino has trumpeted the performance of a number of true freshmen. Cornerback Chris Harris and wide receiver Dezmion Briscoe have emerged as possible impact players from the young group. Because of an undisclosed injury to Junior Kendrick Harper, Harris has a shot at starting opposite junior Aguil巴 Talib.
"He has done a remarkable job for a true freshman," Mangino said. "He hasn't hit that freshman wall that some kids do in training camp."
Briscoe lined up with the first team on offense and worked on fielding punts at Monday's practice. Despite his young age, he has a physique for Big 12 Conference football. He stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 200 pounds.
- Edited by Matt Erickson
No more No.8 in 2008 for Earnhardt
CONCORD, N.C. — Dale Earnhardt Jr. will not be taking his familiar No. 8 with him to Hendrick Motorsports next season.
Earnhardt is leaving Dale Earnhardt Inc. at the end of the season and hoped to take No. 8 with him to his new team. His late grandfather, Ralph, used that number and Earnhardt picked it when he entered the Cup Series in 1999. Although teams do not own numbers — they are leased through NASCAR — DEH had the first right of refusal on the No. 8, and Hendrick officials said Wednesday they were unable to reach an agreement that would have made DEI pass on choosing the number for 2008. "We've been working hard to secure the No. 8 for Dale Jr's car number next season," said Marshall Carlson, general manager of Hendrick Motorsports.
Associated Press
》 VOLLEYBALL
Returners expected to lead
Mahoney, Williams use experience to benefit team this season
BY RUSTIN DODD
rdodd@kansan.com
MILESTONE WATCH
Coach Ray Bechard has a win-loss record of 148-127 entering his 10th year at Kansas. The 148 wins put him three away from becoming the coach with the most wins in Kansas Volleyball history. Kansas plays its first six games away from Lawrence, so to break the record in front of a home crowd, Kansas would have to start the season 2-4. something Bechard obviously does not want to do.
Caitlin Mahoney, senior, has
MAHONEY STEPS UP
always been the type who likes to lead by example and Bechard definitely noticed during the summer.
"Even if she doesn't play all the time, she's a person that sets a tremendous example everyday in practice," Bechard said.
But now Bechard is seeing a different side of Mahoney.
Anna Faltermeier/KANSAN
Kansas volleyball coach Ray Bechard is three wire away from becoming the most winning volleyball coach in school history. Bechard teams traced the NCAA Tournament three consecutive seasons from 2003 to 2005.
"Coach always said that I need to be more vocal, and now I feel that I've been here awhile and I can use my experience," Mahoney said.
SOPHOMORE SLUMP BUSTERS
Sophomore Brittany Williams' rise
in the Kansas Volleyball program has been quite remarkable. Williams' New Orleans home was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina during her senior year of high school. She moved to Atlanta to finish out her high school playing career before becoming a stand-out freshman last season. Williams earned a starting spot and started 27 of 28 matches. Now Williams is firmly at home in Lawrence and is starting to show signs of consistency.
--that she was unable to make last year just because she's more experienced."
"She went through some of the freshman peaks and valleys." Bechard said. "Right now, we want a more consistent performance. But she's already making plays in the preseason now
ALUMNI CURSE?
The team's annual alumni match takes place at 7 p.m. on Saturday in the Horejsi Family Athletics Center. Don't be surprised if there are a few anxious
moments, because Natalie Uhart, senior, suffered a season-ending injury injury during the scrimmage last year. As for Coach Bechard, he's staying positive. "It's a good opportunity to get out in front of some folks in a live match situation," he said.
Edited by Kaitlyn Syring