SPORTS UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY. OCTOBER 6.1994
JAYHAWKS KANSAS
3-1 record No.2 rushing team in nation
COLUMNIST GERRY FEY
Wildcats have no chance
Sean Crosier/KANSAN
The rivalry. Around these parts the phrase can only refer to the Kansas vs. Kansas State game coming up tonight in Lawrence.
It seems that this game is getting more and more exposure, as is the rivalry itself. ESPN is blowing this one up big, giving the game its time to shine on national television. The nation used to call this Midwest battle "The Toilet Bowl," never to be mentioned in the same sentence as Nebraska-Oklahoma, Auburn-Alabama or even Texas Christian-Texas Tech. But perceptions are changing, and this game is no longer just a country-hilbilly thing, it's a nationally recognized war.
I am a Nebraska native, which has given me some exposure to big rivalries. Similarities surface when comparing the Sunflower State rivalry to Nebraska-Colorado, but in a way Tonight's football game is unique.
The Aggies vs. the Greeks — For some reason, Kansas students think everyone in Manhattan is a farmer, while K-State sees Kansas students as rich fraternity and sorority types that have BMWs and like to play golf. Obviously both are untrue, but it's fun to believe the stereotypes.
The Wildcat fanatics are just a bunch of good-o'l boys who watch reruns of Dukes of Hazard with a Pabst Blue Ribbon in one hand and a fistful of pork rinds in the other.
Consider this:
The Jayhawk faithful tailgate in their Oxford sweaters, sitting on plush chairs as they read the Wall Street Journal.
But if the term Agriculturalists is incorrect, why did the Wildcat fans call their favorite hangout Aggieville in the first place? We don't call Massachusetts Street "Greekville." The label for the other Kansas school must be true.
More than Football — The actual sport doesn't matter, just who the opponent is.
Success by one Kansas school means an obligatory retaliation by the other. Example: Kansas wins the basketball national championship in 1988 and posts a sign on the Kansas Turnpike. K-State retaliates with a highway sign proclaiming its debate championship in a substandard league. It's all relative.
How does this relate to the collision coming at 7:05 tonight in Memorial Stadium? Hold true to all your beliefs about the enemy. They may be false, but we can still believe them.
Besides, we're going to destroy K-State badly because it's at our place, and the Wildcats couldn't fight themselfs out of a wet paper bag.
With offensive linemen like Hessley Hempstead at 295 pounds and John Jones at 300, the Kansas running attack will roll over K-State. June Henley might break the NCAA single-game rushing record against the Aggies. Wouldn't it be embarrassing, knowing that Kansas did that in 1991 against a laousy Missouri team? It could happen, so you better watch.
Kansas junior outside linebacker Keith Rodgers and senior free safety Kwamie Lassiter close in on an Alabama Birmingham running back. The Jayhawks won that game 72-0 on Sept. 24, but may not have as easy a time against Kansas State tonight.
As for Chad May and the vaunted K-State passing attack, la-ti-frickin'da. Without wide receiver Andre Coleman, May won't have a chance. He'll be too busy sucking wind while running away from Kansas linebackers Don Davis and Ronnie Ward.
The prediction for this game is a no-brainer, which describes those hillbilly Aggies perfectly...Kansas 38,
K-State 30.
'Hawks have series lead
Rv Matt Irwin
Kansan sportswriter
The last time Kansas lost a football game in Lawrence to intrastate rival Kansas State, none of the Jayhawks' current players were even born. The loss occurred Oct. 11, 1969, and the score was 26-22.
Since that date, Kansas has won all 11 meetings in Lawrence and leads the series since that time 16-7-1.
Feeling the pressure of this history, the 20 Kansas seniors do not wish to be the first to lose during their lifetime, senior running back Chris Powell said.
"We don't want to go out as seniors by losing to K-State," Powell said.
Kansas' record is 3-1 and Kansas State's record is 3-0 entering the teams' 92nd meeting at 7:05 tonight in Lawrence. Kansas leads the overall series 61-25-5.
Kansas coach Glen Mason, who is in his seventh season at Kansas, admitted that it was an advantage to play at home, but said he did not believe the crowd had ever been a factor in any of the previous games against Kansas State.
"If you had your druthers, you would rather play at home," Mason said. "I think the crowd can be a factor. But I don't think the crowd has been a factor in any of the KU-K-State games that I've been involved with to date."
Kansas' rushing offense is ranked
Running backs — Kansas is loaded at the fullback and tailback positions even without June Henley, who should play. K-State's J.J. Smith is fifth in the Big Eight behind fourth-place Henley, but Smith has less support.
Jayhawks take:
Offensive line - The Jayhawks are led by two of the best guards in the country.
■ Secondary
— The Jayhawks have given up big plays. The Wildcats are less experienced, yet rank high statistically.
Kansas wins this toss-up.
second nationally, and K-State's defense against the rush is ranked fifth in the Big Eight and 34th in the nation.
K-State also leads the Big Eight in turnover margin with a + 2.33 margin.
Mason said the Wildcats' effectiveness in passing the ball concerned him.
"Turnovers are going to be a key in this game," Powell said.
Memorial Stadium
we've had our problems playing the pass, and we're playing the best passing offense we're going to be playing." Mason said.
He said
passing
defense
would
bethe
key.
A packed Memorial Stadium at a typical Kansas vs. K-State game. This could be the scene tonight, only the game will be televised live on ESPN.
Tonight at 7:05
SECTION B
Televised on ESPN
By Matt Irwin
Kansan
sportswriter
Sunflower Channel 18
'Cats take:
Quarterback — Chad May has been called the nation's third best senior quarterback. Asheli Preston is a great leader for Kansas, but his passing ability does not compare to May's.
- Wide receivers — The Wildcats' receivers are better because of May.
- Defensive line — Despite weak opponents, they are ranked high in so many defensive categories. They are good and experienced.
Intense.
Intense. That's how Kansas senior running back Chris Powell described the attitude of the Kansas State football team.
"When they play us, they play extra hard," Powell said.
Intensity fuels'Cats fire
K-State brings its emotional team into hostile Memorial Stadium in Lawrence for its 92nd meeting with rival Kansas at 7:05 tonight. The teams will play in front of a national television audience via ESPN. K-State's record is 3-0, and Kansas' record is 3-1.
"There are a lot of fringe benefits taking place right now," said K-State coach Bill Synder. "It was six years ago, and it was a ball game that wasn't important to very many people, I think our kids would still play
K-State's quarterback Chad May said the game had more significance because it was the first game of the Big Eight Conference season. He said the fact that the Wildcats are coming into the game undefeated added to the importance.
equally as hard. And it would mean as much to them, too."
In leading the Wildcat passing attack, May has thrown a touchdown in 13 consecutive games — a Big Eight record. May also has thrown only one interception in his last seven games as the Wildcats' quarterback.
"Our defense has got to play a lot better than it has been playing," Kansas coach Glen Mason said.
"Our front seven has been pretty good," Snydersaid. "By but no stretch of the imagination have we played a football team that can run the football as well as Kansas can."
The K-State defense ranks first in the Big Eight in scoring defense, total yards allowed and defensive passing efficiency, but fifth in the Big Eight against the run.
Although Mason is worried about the K-State passing attack, his counterpart has to worry about a Kansas rushing attack that ranks second in the nation.
Kansas sports information/COURTESY
COLUMNIST
WESS HUDELSON
Kansas yuppies will cry
In an exchange, the Kansas and the Kansas State College traded columns about the Kansas vs. Kansas State football game tonight at 7:05 in Lawrence.
Stop kidding yourselves Yuppies.
The Yuppies are primed and ready to be beaten like a rented mule.
stopaking your team. The only reason there is any hype surrounding this game is because of the intratease rivalry. If K-State lost to another team with Kansas' talent, it would be embarrassed.
This list is especially intended for all of the flannel-wearing, Birkenstockwr shipping Kansas fans who plan on driving the Prelude their dad bought them to the game. Hey Biff, save yourself the gas and sell your ticket to a K-State fan—this is a game you won't want to see.
The most glaring weakness is obviously at quarterback — with or without Asheiki Preston, the situation is hopeless.
They might have become Heisman Trophy candidates if they played the Yuppies every week. Chad May's arm could be ruined if he has to throw the length of the field 10 times.
The Yuppies pass defense isn't much better. The Yuppies gave up 304 years against Houston, 299 against Texas-Christian and 304 yards against Alabama-Birmingham. Anyone heard of quarterbacks Chuck Clementes or Max Knake?
Remember last season when the Jayhawks could have taken the lead when Dwayne Chandler was all alone in the end zone? Preston dumped a dying quail on the turf two feet in front of him. That was a perfect example of Preston's chicken-like arm strength. Anything beyond a 15-yard-out route will be out of range.
K-State has an advantage in nearly every phase of the game. I will take this opportunity to list all of Kansas' deficiencies.
The Texas Christian game may conjure up bad memories of pass protection as well. The "Guard Dogs" couldn't even guard Frogs.
Now let's all bow to the Yuppies' tailbacks. The preppies that have to carry the ball 200 times a game because the offense isn't flexible enough to do anything else.
Glen Mason's playbook must look like something out of the 1930s. I recommend adopting the single-wing philosophy. Remember, it's the offense that was used when it was illegal to pass.
rne Uuppies "versatile and athletic" linebackers seem to be beaming about their shutout of the Alabama. Birmingham Blazers from the Southland Junior High School Conference.
3-0 record Best Big Eight passing team
Allowing only 310 yards total offense is remotely impressive. However, a real shutout is 195 yards total offense against a Big Ten Conference school (K-State 35, Minnesota 0).
The Yuppies have set themselves up for a big disappointment after pasting Alabama-Birmingham. It's unbelievable that anyone can find anything positive about beating a team that way. I guess something had to be done after the mighty Texas Christian Horned Frogs gave Kansas warts.
I hope the peace-loving, tie-dye-wearing fans at the school down the river don't get too upset when the 'Cats come to Lawrence and turn this farce into a track meet.
K-State wins in a landslide 24-0 — this one's for you Alabama-Birmingham.
KANSAS STATE
WILDCATS