SPORTS University Daily Kansan/Thursday, October 3, 1991 11 --- Cornhuskers take 'Hawks in three games Bv Jeff Kobs Kansan Sportswriter The Nebraska Cornhusker volleyball team continued its Big Eight Conference dominance by sweeping the third game last night at Allen Field Games. A crowd of 1,500 watched as Kansas dropped to 16-3 overall and 0-2 in the Big Eight. Nationally-ranked Nebraska, which has lost only one match in conference play since it began in 1976, dropped to 11-1 overall and 4-0 in the conference. Kansas coach Frankie Albizt said the Jayhawks played better than the score indicated. "I didn't think we played poorly, but we weren't at the top of our game. We just got beat." "They are a hard team to beat," she said. "We played fairly well. In the first game, Nebraska stormed to 10-3 lead before the Jayhawks slowed the flow of Orrisher pointers. It was then the gap to five before bowing out 8-11. A strong spike down the middle by sophomore Cynedee Kanabel put Kansas warrior able to touch a woman able to tie together a战事 and fell to the Huskers 3-15. Nebraska jumped out to a 9-0 lead in the second game behind the strong hitting of junior Chris Hall. Nebraska coach Terry Pettit said he was not surprised by the scoring surge "We're a very strong team," he said. "If we pass well, set-up and block, we are capable of running like this." Chapter of freshmen Cadi Stuteville Kansas freshmen Cadi Stuteville VOLLEYBALL said the run by Nebraska was hard to stop. "It's really tough to come back when they have all the momentum," she said. "It was hard to get focused." Nebraska tied the score at six and then took a 13-7 lead before the Jayhawks got back on track. However, in the third game, the Jayhawks cameto life. Kansas scored the first two points and went on to open up a 6-2 lead when the final score was 4-3. Kansas pulled within one, making the score 12-13 in favor of Nebraska. But the Cornhuskers scored the next two and put the game and match away. As a team, Kansas had 54 kills, but only a. 135 hitting average compared to Nebraska's 58 kills and .281 hitting average. Kansas senior Adrian Powell had a match-high 19 kills, followed by Nebraska's hall with 13. The Jayhawks did lead Nebraska in digs with a team total of 81 compared to Nebraska's 69. Kansas senior Kirsten Hilmled led the Jayhawks with 19 digs. Pettit said he thought his team dictated the match. "For the first two and half games we did," Pettit said. "Then I felt we backed off." Stutville said it would be great to beat Nebraska. "We know what they do now," she said. "We'll have another chance at them." Mason says Cavalier defense is biggest test yet for Kansas 'Hawks ready to face Virginia By David Mitchell Kansas Sportswriter The Cavaliers spoiled the Jayhawks' season opener last fall, defeating Kansas 59-10. The Kansas football team will try to extend its winning streak to four games at Virginia on Saturday. However, Coach Glen Mason said the 3-0 Jayhawks are a different team this year. "We're bigger, stronger and faster than we were last year," he said. "It took us all year to win three games last year." "We've always been so bad in defense, and now it looks like wereally have made some improvements," Mason said. In 1990, Kansas allowed an average of 33.2 points a game. Through the first three games of 1991 the Jayhawks earned an average of 12.6 points a game. This season the Jayhawks' defense has allowed a Big Eight Conference low 267.7 yards a game,the 10th lowest average in the nation. The Jayhawks have already sacked their opponents' quarterback 12 times this fall. The team recorded 19 sacks in 1990. Mason said the 2-2 Cavaliers would be a big challenge for the defense. "Obviously, Virginia will be the biggest test on the defense to date," Mason said. "I am anxious to see how we hold up." Sophomore defensive tackle Brian Christian said the team was not thinking about last year's loss. "We're a much better team," Christian said. "We're not concentrating on the past." In last fall's meeting, the CavaliersheldTony Sandsto12yardson15carries. The Kansas offense has also improved. The Jayhawks rank second in the conference and 14th in the nation in total offense, averaging 463 This season the senior tailback is Kansas is well ahead of last year's pace A statistical comparison between this year's unbeaten Kansas team and last year's 3-7-1 Jayhawk squad reveals why Kansas is 3-0 thus far in 1991; Category last season this season Rushing Offense 196.5 ypg. 314.3 ypg. Passing Offense 173.5 147.8 Total Offense 370.0 463.0 Rushing Defense 200.6 105.7 Passing Defense 214.6 179.3 Total Defense 415.2 267.7 Points allowed per game 33.2 12.6 leading the conference in rushing, averaging 145.33 yards a game. Sands has also moved into the Big Eight's top 20 all-time rushing list. With 2,722 yards, Sands ranks 19th all-time, 33 yards behind I.M. Hipp, who played for Nebraska, and 63 games for Fruitt, who played for Oklahoma. The Jayhawks' early success this year has earned the team national attention. This week, the team received 16 votes in The Associated Press Top 25 balloting. The 'Hawks were also ranked 48th by USA Today, 28th by Football News and sixth by the New York Times. Mason said he did not put much stock in the national rankings, but was glad that people's perceptions of the team were beginning to change. "I'm not a big poll guy," he said. "I don't think they mean much. "I hope it is a reflection of where we're headed," he said. "What it really means is that the perception is we are better, and I think we are better." Cheeks, a 13-year veteran who is the National Basketball Association career leader in steals and is fifth in assists, became expendable when the Knicks draft Greg Anthony No. 1, and coach Pati Riley marked Mark Jackson would be the starting point guard. Kansas City, which had of 15 hits, took a 6-1 lead in the fifth on the triple to Tartabul, who was in a 1-for-15 slump, and Jim Eisenreich's sacrifice fly. Kurt Stillwell had a two-run double in the sixth hit Joe Jinkie and he scored Bulls sign Randall; tryout test remains "We made this trade to fill a void in our backcourt," Hawks general manager Pete Babcock said. "Maurice brings a lot of experience to the position and a positive winning spirit, and he should be able to provide tremendous leadership for our young players." SPORTS BRIEFS NEW YORK — Denver's Gaston Green, who ran for a career-best 185 yards last week, was named AFC offensive player of the week yester- By David Mitchell Kansas Sportswriter Cheeks, 35, is expected to back up Rumelah Robinson for Atlanta, which traded Doe Rivers to the Los Angeles Clippers in the off-season. Steve Crawford (3-2) pitched three innings in relief. He allowed three hits. The game was delayed by rain for 50 minutes in the second and 35 minutes in the sixth. Royal starter Red Siber Hatfield will come back after the first rain delay. NEW YORK - The New York Knicks trapped four-time All-Star Maurice Cheeks to the Atlanta Hawks for Tim McCormick yesterday in an NBA deal that filled both teams' need for backup players. NFL names players of week Nate Odomes of Buffalo won AFC defensive honors while quarterback Troy Akerman of Dallas and linebacker Rickey Jackson of New Orleans won Brian McRae hit a two-run homer in the seventh, his sixth this season and first since July 14. Bruce Walton threw a run-scoring wild pitch in the eighth and Sean Berry hit an RBI double. Cheeks traded to Atlanta on George Brett's single. After the rainy delay, Eisenreich hit a three-run homer, his second this year and first since May28. Green, who has replaced holdout Bobby Humphrey as the Broncos' featured back, carried 26 times and had two 12-yard runs to set up the only touchdown of the game in a 13-6 victory against Minnesota. NFChonors. Aikman completed 20 of 27 passes for 277 yards in a 21-16 victory against the New York Giants and led the Cowboys to an interception. The New York had taken a fourth-quarter leap. Ron Darling (3-7) lost his seventh straight decision. He allowed six runs and seven hits in five innings. Odomes, who had eight tackles, made three key plays in a goal-line stand in Buffalo's 35-20 victory against Chicago. He is the fifth member of the Bills honored in five weeks this season. victory Jackson had three sacks, forced a fumble and recovered another in a 27-6 victory against Atlanta. KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Danny Tartarbit tali a two-tunnel that gave him his third 100-RBI season, and the Kansas City Royals rallied from a five-run deficit last night and routed the Oakland Athletics 16-5. The Associated Press The NBA Champion Chicago Bulls will begin practicing tomorrow. Royals rout A's in 16-5 After three months of contract negotiations with Chicago, former Kansas forward Mark Randall is ready to start his professional career. "I'm pretty excited to get the contract signed and start working on my case." he said. The Bulls signed Randall to the league's minimum salary, $180,000. Chicago signed starting forward Scottie Pippen to long-term contract during the playoffs and re-signed free-fees Bill Cartwright and John Paxson this summer. Because of a club policy, the Bulls do not release salary figures. Randall was signed at the minimum amount because of the National Basketball Association salary cap. "That's too far ahead to worry about," he said. "You worry about those things, and you put too much pressure on yourself." Randall is expected to compete for the 12th roster spot with backup center Scott Williams. Williams is recuperating from a fractured leg and is not expected to play until December. Randall said he was not worried about what would happen when Williams returned. Win Two Tickets to the KU - K-State Football Game! The University Daily Kansan - Sports Trivia Contest Randall, a 1991 first team All-Big Eight Conference selection, said he was not unhappy with his contract. How many yards a game of total offense is Kansas averaging this year? "A guy in my situation would usually make at least $600,000." Randall said. "I would have like to have those big bills," he said. "Bulls' inflation with the salary cap." The Bulls' first exhibition game is scheduled for Oct. 11 in Chicago against the Los Angeles Clippers. His one-year contract is not guaranteed. Randall must make the team. Randall still must face the difficulty of earning a roster spot on the championship team "I'm not really disappointed in making $180,000." Randall said. "I'll be making more than people sitting behind a desk nine hours a day. "Now I can go out and play basketball and concentrate on becoming a Chicago Bull." Answer all 5 questions this week (1 each day appearing on the sports page). You'll find the answers by reading the sports stories. - Submit answers to the Kansan business office, 191 Stauffer-Flint Hall, by Tuesday, Oct. 8, at 5 p.m. *Kansas staff members are not eligible.* The Bulls will meet the Minnesota Timberwolves in Kemper Arena on Oct. 12. Randall said he hoped there would be a turnout of Kansas fans for the game. "I feel very fortunate to have this opportunity." wed.___ TRIVIA ANSWERS: V - One entry per student. - 2 WINNERSWILL BE AWARDED APAIR OF TICKETS - Use the Kansan's entry form or a 3 X 5" card Thur.___ Mon. Name Phone number KUID Racing for the pennant West Minnesota clinched American League National League East Toronto clinched West Los Angeles 4 — Atlanta — 1/2 East Pittsburgh clinched Notes: Toronto beat California 6-5, Boston defeated Detroit 5-3. Atlanta beat Cincinnati 6-3. Los Angeles played San Diego late. ■ mn stands for magic number / gb stands for games behind Melissa Uintzerberg / KAN Changes pay dividends as Blue Jays clinch title The Associated Press After several failures down the stretch in recent years, the Toronto Blue Jays really don't care what is said about them. This season, they are the champions of the American League East. They made it official last night with a 6-5 victory over California at a soldout SkyDome. The Blue Jays were rolling along in July with an eight-game lead in the AL East standings, and the margin still was six in August. But a seven-game battle brought Towne back to the pack and into a race with Boston and Detroit. To complicate matters for the Blue Jays, manager Cito Gaston missed 33 games with a disc injury in his back During Gaston's absence, interim manager Gene Tenace guided the club to a 19-14 record and maintained a 21/2 name lead. "Gene did an excellent job," Blue Jays general manager Pat Gillick said. "But Cito has been here a long time and sometimes I think he's got a sixth sense." The major change in the Blue Jays this season came when Gillick made an uncharacteristic blockbuster trade last December, sending Fred McGriff and Tony Fernandez to San Diego for Jae Carter and Roberto Alomar. Carter leads the Blue Jays with 36 homers and 108 RBIs and Alomar is batting next year. He also played at second base also has been outstanding and he has 53 steals. "When I first got here, I knew we had a real good team," Alomar said. "We had the three things you need to win—defence, pitching and good hitting. We don't have a lot of power, but we know how to play the game." Carter hasn't missed a game, he played above-average defense and has brought a feeling of harmony into a clubhouse that suffered in the past from George Bell's tirades and Fernandez's moodiness.