FROM UNKNOWN TO CHAMP
Motocross rider Ryan Villopoto was an unknown a year ago. Now, he's the next rising star in dirtbike racing. He won two titles last week in Seattle.
THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2007
WWW.KANSAN.COM
10B
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
SPORTS
PAGE1B
FOOTBALL
Early games should push Kansas toward bowl eligibility
BY ASHER FUSCO
SEPTEMBER 1 — CENTRAL MICHIGAN
To begin the season Kansas plays host to Central Michigan, the reigning Mid-
American Conference champion.
The Chippewas return seven starters on both offense and defense from last year's 10-4 squad. Central Michigan will be noticeably weaker on the offensive and defensive lines with the losses of star offensive tackle Joe Staley and defensive end
joe baziu. Both players were AllMAC first-team selections and were selected in the first two rounds of last weekend's NFL Draft. Some of the Chippewas' most important contributors include versatile running back Ontario Sneed and experienced linebacker Red Keith. Quarterback Dan LeFevour has established himself as the best in the MAC, winning freshman of the year and All-MAC first team honors. Central Michigan will be under the guidance of brand new head coach Butch Jones, who has no experience as a head coach at the Division I-A level. Kansas should handle the Chippewas at home.
PROJECTION: WIN — 1-0
SEPTEMBER8—SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA
Southeast Louisiana may have finished with only two victories last season, but the team sent two players to the NFL by way of free agent contracts.
Despite producing better professional prospects than Kansas, the Tigers are the weakest opponents on the Jayhawks' 2007 slate. The team plays in Division I-AA. Kansas tossed the game on the schedule in an effort to inch closer to the six victories needed for bowl eligibility. The team returns
leading rusher Jay Lucas but loses eight starters on the defensive side of the football. The early September game should afford Kansas the opportunity to test its depth by playing reserves and work out any kinks in anticipation of tougher games.
PROJECTION: WIN — 2-0
SEPTEMBER 15 — TOLEDO
The Toledo football program made quite a bit of news this winter, not much of it.
good. Earlier this year, a Toledo player was charged with participating in a point-shaving scheme Just two weeks later another Rocket was arrested, this time for attempted aggravated burglary. However, there is some good news for Toledo fans the school has built one of the most formidable mid-major football programs in America in the last few years. Coach Tom Amstutz's team hit a bump in the road last season, finishing with a 5-7 record and tied at seventh place in the Mid-American Conference. One of those five victories was against the Jayhawks. Toledo returns 18 starters from the 2006 squad that defeated Kansas in an overtime thriller. Returning offensive tackle John Greco is on the pre-
season watch list for the Lombardi Award, given to the nation's best lineman. Despite Toledo's experienced backfield and offensive line, Kansas should be able to translate its home field advantage into a victory.
PROJECTION: WIN — 3-0
SEPTEMBER 22 — FLORIDA
INTERNATIONAL
To say Florida International was abysmal in 2006 would be an understatement. The Panthers were out-gained by an average of 70 yards per game on their way to a 0-12 record. On the heels of last
SEE FOOTBALL ON PAGE 3B
SOFTBALL
Elle Pottorf, sophomore catcher, wasn't able to add any runs during Wednesday's double-header against Wichita State. The Jayhawks lost to the Shockers 1-0 and 6-4 respectively.
Shockers continue sweep
BY EVAN KAFARAKIS
Wichita State swept the Kansas softball team Wednesday, winning 1-0 and 6-4 in wet conditions that didn't seem to faze the Shockers.
Game one was a pitching duel between Jayhawk senior Kassie Humphreys (18-12) and Shocker pitcher Margo Pruis (21-11).
Humphreys gave up three hits, one of which was the game-winning home run in the bottom of the fourth.
Both pitchers threw the entire game and struck out 10 batters a piece.
Pruis allowed only one hit to sophomore outfielder Dougie McCaulley.
The layhawks found themselves on base after Pruis walked them, but couldn't capitalize, stranding seven zunners on base.
Sophomore pitcher Valerie George started for the Jayhawks and through four innings, she gave up four runs on six hits including a three-run home run in the bottom of the third.
"They have really, improved over the last four, five years," Bunge said of the Wichita State team that has defeated the Jayhawks eight of the past 10 games.
Kansas scored its only four runs in the 'top of the third inning, which started with a single by sophomore third basemen Val Chapple.
The first game was followed by a 6-4 loss for the Jayhawks as the Shockers' bats staved hot.
Chapple advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from junior outfielder Betsy Wilson.
McCaulley knocked one into left field, allowing Chapple to take
third.
One pitch later, freshman first baseman Amanda Jobe blasted a two-run home run to right center. Jobe's homer was her fifth of the season, tying her for the fifth most home runs by a Kansas freshman in a season.
After McCaulley stole second, senior first baseman Nicole Washburn hit a grounder through the middle to score Chapple and McCaulley.
Kansas travels to Iowa State to close out the regular season with a weekend matchup. Kansas will play Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at noon.
Kanss sportswriter Evan Kafarakis can be contacted at ekafarakis@kanss.com.
Wichita State 1,6, Kansas 0,4
GAME ONE
Kansas 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0
— 0 1 1
Wichita State 0 0 0
1 0 0 X
— 1 3 1
Kassie Humphries and Tiffany Craner; Margo Cruis and Kara L'Huillier. W — Prus (21-11); L — Humphries (18-12); S — None. 2B — KU: Steve Cristoo, WSU: Sara Ramirez, Erin Peters. HR — Britnine Barnett.
Edited by Mark Vierthaler
GAME TWO
Kansas 0 0 4 0
0 0 0 — 4
6 0
Wichita State 0 1 3
0 0 2 X
— 6 8 0
Valerie George, Kassie Humphreys (5) and Elle Pottert, Ashy Bright and Kara L'Huiller. W — Bright (9-10); L — Humphreys (18-13); S — None. 2B — KU; Pottert WSU: Brooke Usher. HR — KU: Amanda Bea, WSU: Cynthia Verulhert.
》 60 SECONDS UNTIL GRADUATION
Wichita State — 34-26; Kansas — 32-21-1
Talib should turn sights to pro league
BY JONATHAN KEALING
KANSAN SPORTS COLUMNIST
JKEALING@KANSAN.COM
I still think that, but I think that Aqib Talib being named the No. 5-best prospect in NCAA Division I football is an even bigger deal. Talib, the junior cornerback out of Richardson, Texas, has long been declared the best recruit of the Mark Mangino era, at least in terms of draftability. But to rank him as the fifth-best prospect is unheard of.
Incidentally, the next highest-ranked Big 12 Conference
This column started as a lesson in why Jayhawk nation needs to chill out and quit feeling Brandon Rush and Julian Wright owe them something other than the two years they played.
His companions in the top five include quarterback Brian Brohm of Louisville, who was the Orange Bowl MVP. In the Cardinals' victory against Wake Forest, he completed 24-for-31 passes for 311 yards. Also ranking in the top five, again, according to Sports Illustrated, is Darren McFadden of Arkansas. The running back, who has a Web site devoted to his promotion, www.darrenmcfadden.org, rushed for almost 1,650 yards with 14 touchdowns.
player is wide receiver Limas Sweed of Texas at No. 9. In fact, it is because of players like 6-foot-5, 219-pound Limas Sweed that Talib is even ranked so high.
The old, conventional wisdom says that the 6-2, 180-pound Talib is too big to play at corner back. But as receivers grow taller and bigger, the football players tasked to keep them from getting the ball need to get bigger as well.
Still, tall cornerbacks have a long history of busting as well. For Talib to be successful, he's going to have to get faster. As was seen when Jon Cornish fell out of the draft, teams want someone who puts up numbers at the Combine.
That's why a big guy like Talib gets the chance to be drafted in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft.
Talib will also have to show his potential at every opportunity.
If he were being drafted this year, he may not have gone as highly as he did in 1998. He went seventh. This year, the first cornerback taken was Darele Revis at No. 14. He's 6-0. The next cornerback taken was Aaron Ross, who stands 6-1, at No. 20.
The best cornerback in the NFL is, almost without question, Champ Bailey. He is fast, skilled and smart. He's also a couple inches smaller than Talib. Bailey's not going anywhere, but he's already been in the league eight years.
SEE KEALING ON PAGE 3B
The makeup for the makeup was canceled on Wednesday. For the 13th time this season, Kansas (22-26, 8-13) was forced to cancel a game, this time against the Bethany Swedes.
Weather, new equipment force game cancellations
After Monday's difficulty with the new field lights at Hoglund Ballpark, the Jayhawks canceled their scheduled game against St. Mary. Wednesday's game was scheduled last minute to make up for canceling on Monday.
BASEBALL
As it turned out, the 85- degree,
sunny Monday afternoon was the
best baseball weather of the week. On Wednesday afternoon, Kansas had not yet dismissed making up the game. Tentatively, the Jayhawks would shoot for May 8, should they find a replacement that can accommodate that time slot.
The Jayhawks travel to Manhattan on Friday to open the three-game series against the Wildcats. The rivals will return to Lawrence on Saturday and Sunday to wrap up the weekend.
Alissa Bauer