THE UNIVERSITY DARY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2008
SPORTS
FOOTBALL
3B
Mixing up the defensive line
Senior defensive end Russell Brorsen and senior defensive lineman Todd Hasselhoff fight to bring down junior running back Angus Quigley during the spring game April 14. Brorsen and Hasselhoff are listed as starters for the fall.
Jon Goering/KANSAN
BY ASHER FUSCO afusco@kansan.com
Last November, Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel picked apart the Kansas defense with ease. The Missouri quarterback made precise throws from the pocket and without much pressure from the Kansas defensive line.
Onyegbule isn't a sure-fire starter at defensive end. In the spring game he played in place of ill senior defensive end John Larson, but he could appear frequently in blitz or third-down defensive packages. In 2005, Kansas turned to linebacker Brandon Perkins and defensive end Charlton Keith for a combined 19 sacks. Last season, Kansas' starting defensive ends managed just four sacks combined.
"Max is one of the most improved players in the program — he has really come a long way since the Orange Bowl," Kansas coach Mark Mangino said. "He has really gotten stronger, he's got faster, he's more confident in his assignments and he's getting off of blocks better. We're really excited about Max."
Enter Max Onyegbule: The junior defensive end, who saw limited action last season, used the 2008 spring game to suggest he might be the answer to Kansas' pass-rush riddle.
experienced but unspectacular defensive tackles, junior Caleb Blakesley and senior Todd Haselhorst listed as starters on the spring depth chart, but several young players could push for starting jobs.
"We need to solidify the defensive tackle positions," Mangino said. "We'll have competitions for those jobs and we'll see who comes out on top. We have four or five guys who have the potential, but we're waiting to see how they produce."
What was a soft spot throughout the 2007 season — the lajhawks pass-rush — became a glaring weakness in the team's loss to Missouri.
defensive line depth chart
Defensive end Russell Brorsen — 6-foot-4, 240 lbs., senior Jake Laptad — 6-4, 237, sophomore
Defensive end
Defensive tackle
Those starters, seniors Larson and Russell Brorsen, are penciled in to return to their starting roles. Though they aren't excellent at pressuring quarterbacks, they are fundamentally sound and defend the option offense very well. Larson forced three fumbles and made two interceptions last season.
Defensive tackle Caleb Blakesley — 6-5, 290, junior Richard Johnson, Jr. — 6-4, 260, freshman
After the loss of Associated Press second-team All-American defensive tackle James McClinton, the interior of the Kansas defensive line is a work in progress. The Jayhawks have two
Freshman defensive tackle Richard Johnson, Jr., played with the first team during the spring game and displayed surprising strength for a 260-pound player. Sophomore defensive tackle Jamal Greene drew praise from the coaching staff for his work last season, when he made seven tackles in seven games.
Sophomore defensive ends Jake Laptad and Jeff Wheeler should compete for time backing up Brorsen and Larson. Laptad, considered undersized at 223 pounds, enjoyed an impressive freshman season in 2007,
Todd Haselhorst — 6-4,290, senior Jamal Greene — 6-4,290,sophomore
Defensive tackle
Edited by Russell Davies
Defensive end
John Larson — 6-3,250,senior Maxwell Onyegbule — 6-5,245,Junior
NHL
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Philadelphia Flyers' Martin Biron makes a save in the third period of Game 3 of an NHL Eastern Conference semifinal hockey playoff series against the Montreal Canadians Monday in Philadelphia. The Flyers won 3-1.
Late-game penalty almost cost Flyers three-goal lead
BY DAN GELSTON ASSOCIATED PRESS
One big hit, one costly penalty from the defenseman, nearly turned the series around.
PHILADELPHIA — Maybe Derian Hatcher will play his shifts safe the next time the Flyers have a three-goal lead in the third period.
Instead, Martin Biron saved the Flyers again.
Biron stopped 32 shots and the Flyers scored three goals in the second period to beat the Montreal Canadiens 3-2, taking a 2-1 lead in their second-round series.
"I thought I was going to get sick," Hatcher said.
Well, then he felt like the rest of the Flyers fans who watched on TV the same way he did in the
locker room. Hatcher drove his right arm into the center of defenseman Francis Bouillon's back and slammed him into the glass with the Flyers up 3-0. Bouillon, who wears a visor, was cut near the corner of his right eye.
Hatcher was whistled for 5 minutes for boarding and a game misconduct, ending his night. That was all the opportunity Montreal needed to make its first serious run at Biron. It was nearly enough to tie the score.
"Your first reaction is you just hope the team can get through it," Hatcher said.
Saku Koivu was stopped on a breakaway by Biron's poke check in the first period, but he scored on the power play in the third to pull Montreal to 3-2. Not quite.
You've made it!
Finally the all-nighters and daily treks up the Hill have paid off. As you prepare for Commencement, use the "Grad Guide" at www.kualumni.org/classof2008 for information about our graduation events, how to stay connected and life after KU.
In addition to the year of free membership, you're eligible for the new grad yearly dues rate of $25 for the next 4 years. Plus, if you join the KU Alumni Association during Grad Grill on May 8, you'll receive a special KU Class of 2008 pint glass at the event.
In partnership with KU Endowment we are giving you, upon graduation, a one-year, free membership in the KU Alumni Association! You'll receive the Kansas Alumni magazine,a 2009 KU campus calendar, access to the online directory, special discounts and so much more.
Our graduation gift to you
For more details about Commencement, go to www.commencement.ku.edu
Everything we do strengthens KU. Since 1883, the KU Alumni Association has kept Hawks connected to KU!
Don't miss these great graduation events!
GRAD GRILL
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 8
Adams Alumni Center
Join us for your first official alumni event at the Adams Alumni Center sponsored by the Student Alumni Association. Don't miss out on great door prizes, free food and drinks. This is your chance to pick up information about alumni activities and services. Campus offices will be on hand to share information about their services to you...a proud KU graduate!
Please RSVP to saa@ku.edu by May 7.
COMMENCEMENT LUNCH
11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 18
The Outlook, Chancellor's Residence
Before you walk down the Hill, celebrate at the Chancellor's residence. Robert and Leah Hemenway will provide free box lunches for graduates and their guests. The KU Alumni Association will welcome you into alumni status, and the Senior Class officers will announce the class gift and banner.
To attend, send in your registration card and pick up your tickets on the third floor of the Adams Alumni Center between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays. May 1-16.
Questions? Call the Alumni Association at 864-4760, e-mail kualumni@kualumni.org or visit www.kualumni.org
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