The Royals cost the Detroit Tigers the AL Central title last season, but the Tigers got a little revenge Monday night, with a 12-5 victory.
ROYALS FALL TO TIGERS
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TUESDAY, APRIL 17, 2007 WWW.KANSAN.COM
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
SPORTS
PAGE 1B
FOOTBALL
Talib shows diversity of play
The football team faced off for a scrimmage on Sunday. The players showed their strengths and gave fans a preview of what is to come in the fall.
Spring scrimmage brings surprises strong offense
KANSAN FILE PHOTO
BY ASHER FUSCO
As expected, junior cornerback Aqib Talib saw action on both sides of the ball Sunday.
Talib played the majority of the snaps at cornerback on defense and also lined up as the slot receiver on offense in the first half.
"He has all that defensive venom in him," said coach Mark Mangino. "He's a gifted player. He can do a lot of things for us."
Talib caught two passes and was overthrown by sophomore quarterback Kerry Meier on what could have been a 30-year gain down the sideline.
Last season, Talib saw nearly all of his snaps on defense. He did record one catch last season against Missouri.
"He has all that defensive venom in him. He's a gifted player. He can do a lot of things for us."
Unexpectedly, both of the quarterbacks were "live" during the first half of the spring scrimmage, meaning the defenders were free to tackle
MARK MANGINO Coach
"I had a little talk with the coaches," Mortensen said. "I know we need number 10 out there."
as Meier tried to get out-of-bounds. Mortensen quickly realized his error.
» Spring football often brings surprises, but almost no one expected Mortensen to play middle linebacker with the first team in favor of junior Mike Rivera. Mortensen played outside linebacker last season and was expected to fill the backup role to Rivera, the incumbent middle linebacker.
"They're going to have to find a way to put us both on the field,"
Mortensen said. "We just go out there we have fun and play hard. It's an intense competition but we have a good time."
Mortensen led the Blue team in tackles.
》 The offensive line looks like one of the most stable units on the team. Junior offensive lineman Anthony Collins and senior offensive lineman Cesar Rodriguez have locked up the tackle positions. Junior offensive linemen Ryan Cantrell and
Chet Hartley are the favorites at center and right guard, respectively. Junior offensive lineman Adrian Mayes is the favorite at left guard, but junior offensive lineman Matt Darton also saw action with the first unit on Sunday.
injuryupdate
Kansan sportswriter Asher Fusco can be contacted at afusco@kansan.com.
— Edited by Darla Slipke
» Jake Sharp was limited by a leg injury but not held out of the scrimmage. Mangino said he would have held sophomore running back Sharp out of the game, but Sharp insisted on playing. Helooked as explosive as ever, carrying the ball seven times for 38 yards.
The Jayhawks were thin at wide receiver because of injuries to junior Dexton Fields and freshman Tertavian Ingram. Both players' injuries are considered minor.
>> ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT
University signs new contract with ESPN
The new multimedia contract signed by Kansas Athletics on Monday was the third major contract signed since Athletics Director Lew Perkins came to campus in 2003.
recent contracts
2005
- Kansas signed a S40.2 million, seven-year contract with ESPN Regional television
Kansas signed a $26.67 million, eight-year apparel and merchandise contract with Adidas
$65 million agreement with Host to last 10 years
BY RYAN SCHNEIDER
Kansas Athletics announced Monday that it has signed a 10-year, $65 million multimedia contract with ESPN Regional Television and Host Communications.
Under the terms of the agreement, Host will serve multiple marketing functions for the Athletics Department. Among its functions will be selling, producing and distributing Kansas' radio broadcasts of football and men's and women's basketball games and coaches' shows. Host is also responsible for television broadcasts of games, game-day programs, corporate sponsorship, hospitality events and venue signage. ESPN Regional will manage the television production and distribution for Host and the department.
"We are delighted to be represented by two of the finest names in college sports", Athletics Director Lew Perkins said in a media release, "ESPN is recognized as a leader in college sports television, and Host is a pioneer in collegiate marketing, recognized as one of this country's top sports marketing agencies. Together, they give Kansas Athletics a great one-two punch."
"Kansas is one of the premier athletics programs in the nation," sad Tom Stullz, president and chief executive officer of Host. "We are thrilled and honored that KU and ESPN have chosen to work with Host. We look forward to being part of the Jayhawk family for a long time."
Nebraska, Oklahoma State and Texas.
The agreement signed Monday replaces a previous contract between Kansas Athletics and ESPN Regional. The previous contract, extended in July 2005, was good for seven years and worth $40.2 million.
This is the third major contract signed by the department since Perkins came to campus in 2003. Along with the two ESPN Regional contracts, Kansas is in the second year of a seven-year, $26.67 million athletic apparel and equipment contract with Adidas.
Host holds multimedia contracts with at least 10 major universities, including Big 12 Conference schools
Kansan senior sportswriter Ryan Schneider can be contacted at rschnieder@kansan.com.
Edited by Joe Caponio
》 TRACK AND FIELD
Event draws stronger college programs instead
After a fruitful beginning to the 2007 outdoor track and field season, the Jayhawks return home for the 80th Kansas Relays April 18 to 21 at Memorial Stadium.
First year meet director Milan Donley has nearly 200 students, volunteers and coaches helping the stadium take on a new look for the weekend.
Kansas Relays lack big names
BY TAYLOR BERN
"As the next couple of days go on, you'll see it develop from a football-track facility to a track facility," Donley said.
The Kansas Relays welcome
"Depthwise, the field is very good, but there aren't as many big names coming," Donley said. "We're seeing
" Depth-wise, the field is very good, but there aren't as many big names coming."
MILAN
DONLEY
Meet Director
"This is going to be the best weekend of the spring in that regard. I don't know if that's luck or if Mother Nature decided we need some good weather too," Donlev said.
As the meet approaches, Donley and his staff are making the final preparations.
a changing of the guard, because the people that are coming will be in the Olympics in '08 and '12, and the World Championships in between."
The coaches focus in preparation for this year's meet was to bring in more high-quality collegiate teams, and Donley's familiarity with other school's track and field programs helped achieve that goal.
After dealing with wind and rain for much of the outdoor season, the coaches and athletes are excited about the forecast and possibility of clear skies.
"The last minute details are the big thing," Donley said. "It's sort of like a small tidal wave, there's a little water at first and a lot of water at the end, and we just need to make sure all the little things get done."
"We have to thank coach Donley because he knows a lot of the coaches out there and was able to bring some of those teams in," head coach Stanley Redwine said.
The Kansas Relays begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Memorial Stadium.
Kansan sportswriter Taylor Bern can be contacted at tbern@kansan.com.
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Edited by Katie Sullivan