8B THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN FOOTBALL
SPORTS
MONDAY. AUGUST 15. 2005
New and talented
BY DANIEL BERK
dberk@kansan.com
KANSAN SENIOR SWIPTERWRIER
Kansas football coach Mark Mangino said he felt his team could compete for the Big 12 North division title.
In order for that to happen, Mangino knows he will need big contributions from his newcomers, including junior college transfers and true freshmen.
Wide receiver Brian Murph, Jr. defensive linemen Wayne Wilder and Rodney Allen and linebacker Eric Washington headline the junior college transfers that will join the Ivahawks.
The success of the four players in their junior college careers could enable them to have a big impact on the team, this year.
"This is by far the most talented group of kids we've brought in here since I've been here," Mangino said. "Wayne Wilder and Rodney Allen are going to have an impact."
Mangino was not the only one that expected some of the
newcomers to contribute. Senior linebacker Banks Floodman was also impressed with the talent level on defense.
"They are definitely up for the challenge this year," Floodman said. "They want to play and they want to play now, so we are excited to see what they can do."
Wilder and Allen reunite this season after playing together for two years at Garden City Community College.
Wilder collected 55 tackles and four sacks at Garden City, last season. Allen had 62 tackles and had 10 sacks during the 2004 season.
Washington said he enjoyed playing behind senior linebackers Nick Reid, Kevin Kane and Floodman in training camp practices.
"I'm just learning from the three seniors right now, following their lead," Washington said. "In practice, I just have to get in where I can and gain some reps."
True freshmen are still bat
ting for spots on the team, and may not be given the luxury of taking a redshirt in their first year. So far, Mangino has been impressed with the emergence of Russell Brorsen, who was recruited as a defensive end, but recently switched to tight end.
Freshman quarterback Kerry Meier raised eyebrows during practice as a highly touted freshman quarterback. Mangino said Meier learned to become more comfortable with the offense at practice.
Mangino said Brorsen will compete for the back up job at tight end and could also compete with sophomore starter Derek Fine.
Mangino has not made any official decision on which freshmen will play and which will take a redshirt.
"We're still not certain about some guys who we might redshirt, depending on where they are on the depth chart," Mangino said.
Edited by Kellis Robinett
KU FOOTBALL NEWCOMERS FOR 2005
Junior college transfers:
★ Brian Murph, Jr - WR - Howardville, Mo.
- Butler County CC - New Madrid County
HS
♦ Wayne Wilder - D-Line, Forsyth, Ga.
- Garden City CC - Mary Persons HS
- Rodney Allen - DE - Miami - Garden City
  CC - Coral Gables HS
Eric Washington - LB - Detroit - Minnesota/Minnesota West CC - Crockett HS
✦ Jake Cox - OL - Marengo, Iowa - Iowa Central Cul - Iowa Valley HS
Freshmen:
- Gary Green II - RB - San Antonio - James Madison HS
- John Kosko - S - Emporia - Emporia HS
♦ Marcus Herford - WR - DeSoto, Texas
- Cedar Hill HS
♦ Luke Arndt - CB - Emporia - Emporia HS
- Zach Ross - QB - Niwot, Colo. - Niwot HS
♦ Raymond Brown - S - St. Louis - Cardinal Ritter College Prep
*AqiB Talib - CB - Richardson, Texas
Berkner HS
- Tang Bachelev - RB - Windsor, Ontario
- Sandwich HS
**Joe Mortensen** - LB - Oakland, Calif.
- Clayton Valley HS
♦ Aaron Jensen - Long snapper - Barrington, III. - Barrington HS
- Ryan Cantrell - OL - Sugar Land, Texas
- William P. Clements HS
**Mike Riversa - LB - Shawnee Mission**
- Shawnee Mission NW HS
Tom Phelps - LB - Roeland Park - Bishop Miege HS
◆ Duke Pfitzinger - DL - Chesterfield. Mo.
- Marquette HS
- Scott Haverkamp - OL - Silver Lake - Silver Lake HS
♦ Adrian Mayes - OL - Manhattan - Manhattan HS
- Taylor Hurd - OL - Fowler, Colo. - Fowler
HS
- ★ Matt Darton - OL - San Diego, Calif. - University City HS
- Anthony Collins - OL - Beaumont, Texas
- Central Senior HS
- Jim Reuber - TE - Plano, Texas - Plano West Senior HS
- **John Larson** - DE - Shawnee Mission
- Pembroke Hill HS
- ♦ Dexton Fields - WR - Dallas - South Oak Cliff HS
- Josh Bell - TE - Hitchcock, Texas - Hitchcock HS
♦ Caleb Blakesley - DL - Ottawa - Ottawa HS
◆ Russell Brorsen - DE - Stillwater, Okla.
- Stillwater HS
♦ Raimond Pendleton - WR - Garland, Texas
- South Garland HS
- Angus Quigley - RB - Cleburne, Texas -
- Cleburne HS
- ❖ Jose Rodriguez - OL - LaPuente, Calif.
- Bishop Amat HS
- James Holt - S - Altus, Okla. - Altus HS
- Jake Schermer - LB/S - Nixa, Mo. - Ozark HS
- ★ **Kerry Meier - QB - Pittsburg - Pittsburg**
HS
- Darrell Stuckey - DB - Kansas City, Kan.
- Washington HS
- Justin Thorton - DB - St. Joseph, Mo.
- Central HS
◆ Alex Hanson - K - Ankeny, Iowa - Ankeny HS
♦ Adam Welty - OL - Newton - Newton HS
- Newton HS
**Arist Wright - LB - Houston - AliefTaylor HS**
**Jeff Wheeler - DE - Houston - Clear Lake**
HS
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. Nextel Cup champion Kurt Busch is hoping car owner Jack Roush will change his mind and release him with a year remaining on his contract.
Busch seeks dismissal
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
"It's Jack's decision," Busch said Saturday at Watkins Glen International. "We'll see what happens."
Busch told Roush earlier this week that he had a deal to drive for Roger Penske in 2007 and asked to be released from his contract after this season.
Roush said no, then told Busch they'd have to find a way to work together for the rest of this season and all of the next.
"The thing I will give you today is that you shouldn't expect a release for 2006," Roush told him.
"You could speculate on that," he said. "For me, I'm happy wherever I go."
Given that, Busch was asked if he thought his departure after this season would be best for everyone.
He called 2006 a question mark but said he has a great opportunity to win for either car owner. Beyond that Busch would not comment on 2007.
"I've got 2005 to drive for this championship," he said. "We're in good position. We're fifth in the points. It's hard to go into the future."
"They know that it wasn't them. They know that it wasn't me," he said. "They know that it wasn't Roush Racing. They know that it's this business."
He called the team's chemistry great and said there is no misunderstanding among crew members about why he wanted to move to Penske.
But Busch said he's focused on winning another title or two before moving to Penske. He has called the Penske ride an "opportunity of a lifetime," and a challenge to prove he can win with a different team.
Roush already is faced with trying to fill one of his five cars for next season. He has signed Jamie McMurray to replace Mark Martin in 2007, but is leaning on Martin to delay by a year his retirement from fulltime Cup racing. Martin wants to move to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck series next season.
"That's not even on the radar screen," Ganassi said before the cars began practice for Sunday's Sirius Satellite Radio at the Glen. "His status has always been the same."
McMurray wants to leave Chip Ganassi Racing after 2005. Like Busch, he can't get out of the final year of his contract.
So, Busch can't go to Penske as a replacement for the retiring Rusty Wallace, and McMurray is staying put.
break the logjam? Ganassi and Roush certainly don't sound as if they will.
Will somebody give in and
Roush made that clear to Busch, saying he expected the driver to keep his commitment and that he was keeping commitments to his sponsors.
There was no surprise at the top of the speed chart. Defending race champion Tony Stewart, an overwhelming favorite to win for the fifth time in seven races, was much faster than anyone else.
Despite his displeasure over Roush's refusal. Busch said there would be no letdown in his level of intensity, whether it be practice, qualifying or racing. On the track, he posted the 16th-fastest time among 46 cars before rain chased them off the 2.45-mile road course.
After winning last Sunday in Indianapolis, Stewart will be trying for his third victory here and fifth overall on a road course.
He took his Chevrolet around the 11-turn layout at 122.052 mph, but had no explanation for why he was so fast other than to give credit to crew chief Greg Zpadellii and the team.
"Hey, you've got to remember that I just drive." Stewart said. "I get in the car and I drive. It's been literally that simple."
Road-racing specialist Scott Pruett was next at 120.447. Four-time Glen winner Martin went 120.441.
Duncan
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B
coaching staff then talked with members of the football program at Texas.
"I had a conversation with Mack Brown," Mangino said. "At the end of the day he is a young man who didn't have a spot for him at Texas but everyone was very positive about
him, and we feel good about giving him an opportunity here."
"What we have to gauge is can he get in there and play on game day, be a contributor and have an impact," Mangino said. "We are trying to add depth to our team so if we can give them a little break here and there so in the fourth quarter we will have fresh legs. He could be a factor in helping us have those fresh legs in the fourth quarter."
Duncan didn't arrive on campus until this summer, which is unusually late. Recruiting Web
Duncan said h
It was rough the first couple of days, but after practices I caught on."
Brandon Duncan Freshman linebacker
he was pleased that he had a solid group of linebackers to learn from at Kansas, such as seniors Nick Reid, Banks Floodman and Kevin Kane.
site *Rivals.com* ranks Duncan as the 21st best linebacker in the nation and a four-star recruit.
At first, Duncan was concerned that he was arriving late on campus and he might have difficulty learning the defensive system, but he said that it came naturally.
"It was rough the first couple of days, but after practices I caught on." Duncan said.
Duncan may take a redshirt this season. Mangino said a decision has not yet been made. He said due to the depth at the linebacker position, Duncan might not be needed this season.
"I love those linebackers," Duncan said.
"I feel like I am beginning to fit in. When they leave I'll be able to step right up. I am learning from them right now, I am taking everything in, let them coach me up. I just want to be as good or better than them."
Duncan has impressed the senior linebackers.
"He is going to be great," Reid said. "He needs to put a few more pounds on. He is real fast, he has great instincts, he can hit. He's going to be a good one."
Duncan weighs 210 pounds. He said he would like to reach 220 pounds.
Football Notes:
Punter Handling Kickoff Duties
Sophomore punter Kyle Tucker is expected to handle kickoff duties this season, replacing the graduated Johnny Beck. Sophomore Scott Webb is expected to handle extra point and field goal duties, however Mangino said that Tucker was also working on place kicking.
The offensive line is once again going through some changes. Junior David Ochoa will take over the center position from sophomore Todd Haselhorst. Haselhorst will move to the guard position.
Junior quarterback Adam Barmann is the front runner to be the team's starting quarterback, Mangino said. Senior Brian Luke continues to challenge Barmann for the starting job though. Senior Jason Swanson has dropped from the starting job consideration due to injuries, Mangino said.
New Center
Former defensive end Kansas John McCoy, who has been stationed in Iraq for the past year, is not expected to return to the team this season. Mangino exchanged e-mails with McCoy last week and said he thought McCoy might return at some point this fall.
McCoy In Iraq
OB Race
Edited by Tricia Masenthim