Stories for October 2008

KU to face KSU at home

Tomorrow, Memorial Stadium will be packed for the 106th installment of the Sunflower Showdown.

Keegan: KU coaches should commit to Sharp

The Kansas University football coaching staff had reason not to trust the running game early in the season. The new offensive line, featuring a redshirt freshman at each tackle spot, was having trouble meshing. The search for a first-string tailback still was in the audition stage and every one of the three candidates appeared to be singing slightly off key.

NCAA ends early Madness

The NCAA's board of directors is ending the practice of early Midnight Madness practices because it believes it could give schools a recruiting advantage. The emergency legislation, passed Thursday, is designed to close a loophole in a previous rule that allowed coaches to have two hours of individual instruction before the official start of the season.

KU, MU hoops rookies blossoming quickly

Kansas City Pump N Run basketball coach L.J. Goolsby will be watching the Kansas University-Missouri home-and-home series with great interest this season. "I plan to be at both of those (games). I'll probably come to the Kansas game (in Allen Fieldhouse) and sit behind the KU bench and go to the Missouri game (in Mizzou Arena) and sit behind the Missouri bench," Goolsby said Thursday.

Halloween might come day late for Jayhawks

Even though tonight is a night for trick-or-treating, don't expect the Kansas University football team to be pounding the pavement with plastic jack-o-lanterns and empty pillow cases. Most likely, the Jayhawks will be getting their rest in preparation for Saturday's 11:30 a.m. kickoff against Kansas State.

Bearcats bruise Bulls, 24-10

Not bad for a guy with a broken arm. Playing with a soft cast protecting his surgically repaired left forearm, junior Tony Pike had one of his finest games Thursday night, throwing a pair of touchdown passes and steadying Cincinnati's offense in a 24-10 victory over No. 24 South Florida.

UNC's Hansbrough ailing

North Carolina standout Tyler Hansbrough is out of practice indefinitely with a stress reaction condition in his right shin. The reigning Associated Press player of the year did not practice Thursday. Instead, team spokesman Steve Kirschner said he underwent an MRI that revealed the stress reaction.

Mayer: Kansas needs victory

Saturday's Kansas State visit has to be the season-changing moment for this Kansas football team. Same for K-State. Both are desperate for a victory, any victory; the Sunflower State angle only adds to the luster.KU enters Nightmare Alley starting Saturday - then goes to Nebraska, plays Texas here and Missouri in Kansas City, Mo.

Jayhawks hope to keep up with Big 12 play

More than bragging rights are on the line for the Kansas football team this weekend. At 2-2 in Big 12 play, the 'Hawks need league wins to keep pace in the conference.

KU men's basketball 23rd in preseason coaches poll

The defending national champion Kansas University men's basketball team was ranked No. 23 in the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll.

Ex-Jayhawk Hawkins worked out with walk-on

KU graduate helped Juenemann prepare for tryouts

Jeff Hawkins' close friend/workout partner/brother figure is the newest member of Kansas University's basketball team. "I'm going to be Jordan's biggest fan the next four years," former KU point guard Hawkins said of Jordan Juenemann, Hawkins' buddy from Hays who on Monday accepted Bill Self's invitation to join the Jayhawks as a non-scholarship walk-on.

Louisville loses receiver

Louisville wide receiver Scott Long is out for the season after injuring his right knee in practice. Coach Steve Kragthorpe says Long will have surgery sometime in the next two weeks after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in the knee Tuesday.

Jayhawks take down Tigers in 5-set thriller

This victory felt just a tad sweeter for Kansas University's volleyball team. Forget the fact that the Jayhawks snapped a two-match losing streak. Forget that the victory propelled KU into a tie for ninth in the Big 12 Conference with its opponent Wednesday night. We're talking about a nail-biting, teeth-grinding, come-from-behind 3-2 victory (25-12, 18-25, 15-25, 25-13, 16-14) in the Border Showdown against Missouri.

Houston WR has surgery

Houston wide receiver Patrick Edwards said Wednesday he holds no animosity toward Marshall, a day after he ran into a service cart and broke his leg in a game against the Thundering Herd. A Cabell Huntington Hospital spokesman said Edwards was in good condition Wednesday following surgery.

Dugan Arnett's KU football notebook

Despite spending much of last Saturday's game against Texas Tech on the bench, senior cornerback Kendrick Harper is expected to be a factor for the Jayhawks throughout the rest of the season, according to KU coach Mark Mangino.

NCAA penalizes UDC

Citing what it called "the most egregious lack of institutional control ever seen" by its Division II investigative committee, the NCAA on Wednesday levied numerous sanctions on the University of the District of Columbia.

Keegan: Running down dream

He's the Lawrence High student-body president, co-captain of the cross country team, a regular at LHS sporting events wearing his signature candy-striper overalls, and hits the books hard enough to be a member of the national art honor society.

K-State's disinterest, KU's gain

Bill Snyder didn't hotly pursue Salina back Sharp

Come Saturday afternoon, Kansas State's loss could very well be the Kansas University football team's gain - at least as far as KU running back Jake Sharp is concerned. Following a storied high school career in which he rushed for 63 touchdowns during his senior year at Central High in Salina, Sharp signed with Kansas largely because the Wildcats, under then-head coach Bill Snyder, didn't show much interest in the 5-foot-10, 190-pound back.

Duke RB out for season

Duke running back Re'quan Boyette is out for the season due to a knee injury.

Pierce, Celtics celebrate

Boston honors championship squad

The championship banner rose to the rafters. The tears trickled down Paul Pierce's cheeks. The MVP of last year's NBA finals finally was part of a ceremony that often seemed unreachable throughout his 10 seasons, all with the Boston Celtics.

Doctor: Olson had stroke

Arizona coach was advised to retire

Lute Olson's doctor said Tuesday that the former Arizona basketball coach had a stroke within the last year and he advised him to retire. The comments by Dr. Steven Knope at a news conference called by Olson's family offer the first explanation for Olson's sudden retirement last week, two days after he appeared at the Wildcats' media day. Olson said at the time he was energized and looking forward to his 25th season with Arizona.

Dugan Arnett's KU football notebook

Considering that Kansas University's defensive shake-up against Texas Tech last week placed various players in unfamiliar positions, it should come as no surprise that, as of Tuesday, those players were still getting acclimated to their new posts.

Keegan: Don't blame Bowen

The knee-jerk reaction of an angry fan base any time a football team with a popular, successful head coach hits hard times involves turning with a mob mentality on the coordinator from the side of the ball doing worse. In the case of a Kansas University football team embarrassed by surrendering 63 points at home Saturday to Texas Tech, that would be Clint Bowen, in his first year of flying solo as defensive coordinator, instead of as co-pilot to revered veteran Bill Young.

Track-meet speed: Sharp, KSU's Woods renew rivalry from prep years

Kansas University running back Jake Sharp is 2-0 against Kansas State since joining the Jayhawks out of Salina Central High in 2006. But there's one Wildcat who has Sharp's number. His name is Justin Woods, a red-shirt freshman running back from Mill Valley High in Shawnee.

Big 12 football notebook

¢ QB cornucopia¢ J.J. joins the fray¢ Griffin clickin'¢ OU-NU Days of yore¢ The eyes have it¢ KU's Meier near record¢ Grounded Gobs

UNT players fail tests

Fifteen North Texas football players failed drug tests conducted this fall at the request of coach Todd Dodge. Eighty-six players were tested from Sept. 24-Oct. 15.

Chalmers, Arthur, Rush could see significant NBA minutes

Kansas University's three early entries may or may not emerge as candidates for the NBA's Rookie of the Year Award. But one thing appears certain: First-round draft picks Darrell Arthur and Brandon Rush and second-round selection Mario Chalmers appear primed to play significant minutes for the Memphis Grizzlies, Indiana Pacers and Miami Heat this season.

Tech turnaround: Defense, run game suddenly present for Raiders

In the eight seasons Mike Leach has completed as head coach of the Texas Tech football program, the Red Raiders have led the nation in passing yards in seven of those years. But Tech never seemed to be an elite national program. The Red Raiders were fun to talk about at parties in terms of how their offense scored at the prolific rate of Bo Jackson in the original Tecmo Bowl.

Men's golf takes 10th

Behind the efforts of Andrew Storm's 70 and Nate Barbee's even-par 71, the Kansas University men's golf team wrapped up its fall season with a 10th-place finish Tuesday at the Baylor Intercollegiate at Royal Oaks Country Club.

Pelini's joke: 'Win or be fired'

A man who played a central role in the Nebraska-Oklahoma football rivalry of yesteryear has an office just a few steps away from Cornhusker coach Bo Pelini. Has athletic director Tom Osborne given him any advice about what to do in Saturday's game in Norman, Okla.?

Indiana names AD

Fred Glass, who orchestrated bringing the Super Bowl to Indianapolis, took on a greater challenge Tuesday by accepting the athletic director's job at Indiana amid an NCAA phone-call scandal and allegations the school failed to properly monitor the men's basketball team.

Kansas donor Kivisto fired in Tulsa

Tom Kivisto, a former Kansas University basketball standout and KU donor, has been fired by SemGroup LP, the Tulsa firm he helped start eight years ago and guided into one of nation's biggest private firms until its bankruptcy amid gigantic oil trading losses.

Reesing's journey to KU started in Little Apple

These days, it's hard to imagine Todd Reesing as anything besides Kansas University's starting quarterback. Saturday afternoons in the fall, top 25 rankings and bowls of oranges have pretty much become synonymous with the 5-foot-11, 200-pound junior.

Forward commits to women's team

Annette Davis, a 6-foot-1 senior forward from Bellaire (Texas) High School, has orally committed to play basketball at Kansas University. Davis, who averaged 15.0 points and 8.0 rebounds a game last season, chose KU over Texas A&M, Louisiana Tech and Stephen F. Austin.

OU coach mulls options

Oklahoma basketball coach Jeff Capel says he's settled on at least part of his starting lineup for this season. Blake Griffin and guards Tony Crocker and Austin Johnson will be a part of the starting five, but Capel said Tuesday that he's still determining who the other starters will be.

Releford ready to roll

No Jayhawk is looking forward to KU's first game against Washburn more than Travis Releford.

Purdue QB may miss game

Purdue quarterback Curtis Painter had what coach Joe Tiller called a slight-to-moderate right shoulder separation against Minnesota last weekend, putting his nation-leading streak of 40 consecutive starts in jeopardy heading into Saturday's game against Michigan.

Pickens gives $63M

Billionaire booster T. Boone Pickens will give another $63 million to Oklahoma State to finish athletic projects that were supposed to be paid for with a previous $165 million donation that took a hit during the economic downturn.

Kansas men's golf in 10th at Baylor

Nate Barbee shot a first-day 153 to lead Kansas University's men's golf team to a 10th-place showing after two rounds of the Baylor Intercollegiate on Monday at Royal Oaks Country Club. The Jayhawks shot a first-round 314 then shaved 11 strokes for the second round to finish with 617 strokes. Texas A&M leads with 577.

Oklahoma State rebounds from loss

Cowboys still burning from narrow setback at top-ranked Texas

No. 9 Oklahoma State went back to work Monday amid the news that the investment by T. Boone Pickens that helped propel them into the top 10 had taken a sizable hit in recent months. More importantly, they were trying to recover from their first loss of the season - a 28-24 defeat at top-ranked Texas on Saturday.

Brutal stretch wears on 'Horns

Texas defensive tackle Roy Miller said he felt "relieved" after a tough victory over Oklahoma State. Quarterback Colt McCoy's left hand - he throws right - was bruised and scratched. As a group, the Longhorns' defensive backs are nicked up and sore.

Washington's coach out

Willingham to step down after season

Tyrone Willingham is out as football coach at Washington, effective at the end of the season. Two days after the Huskies fell to 0-7, athletic director Scott Woodward said Willingham will step down at the end of the year. Asked Monday if this was his decision, Willingham said flatly, "no."

Cyclones center finished

Iowa State's struggling offensive line has taken another hit. Offensive center Mike Knapp had surgery on his right knee Monday and is lost for the rest of the season, and tackle Ben Lamaak is day to day because of a leg injury, coach Gene Chizik said Monday.

Walk-on guard joins Jayhawks

Invitation to play for KU a 'dream come true' for Hays High grad Juenemann

Jordan Juenemann was studying biology Monday morning when he received a cell-phone call from Kansas University's men's basketball office. "Brett Ballard said, 'Jordan, come to coach Self's office. There's some good news for you,'" Juenemann, a 6-foot-4 KU freshman from Hays, related. Shortly after hearing from KU's director of basketball operations, Juenemann huddled with head coach Bill Self behind closed doors.

Linebacker picks KU

Julian Jones, a 6-foot-2, 255-pound linebacker out of MacArthur High in Lawton, Okla., has orally committed to play football at Kansas University, Rivals.com reports. Jones also had received interest from North Carolina, Kansas State, Tulsa, Texas Tech, and New Mexico State.

NU's offense 'in sync'

Husker coach Pelini encouraged by offensive production

Hired to shore up Nebraska's woeful defense, coach Bo Pelini says one of the most pleasant developments of his first season has been that of the offense. "They're more in sync, they're growing more comfortable together, and I think we're in a good rhythm now," Pelini said Monday. "Hopefully we can keep that together and keep that going, because we need to against a tremendous Oklahoma football team we're playing."

'Cats talkative

Chatty K-Staters provide a little bulletin-board material

To hear Kansas State receiver/punt returner Deon Murphy tell it, Kansas University coach Mark Mangino very well could be second-guessing his abilities as a recruiter come Saturday. Asked Monday whether he thought the Jayhawks, who have struggled with their pass-rush this season, regretted not pursuing Wildcats All-Big 12 defensive end Ian Campbell out of high school, Murphy smiled.

Big 12 basketball players predict the conference champion

At the 2008 Big 12 Media Day in Oklahoma City, players from around the conference weighed in on which teams they liked, other than their own, to win the Big 12.

Dugan Arnett's KU football notebook

True freshman wide receiver Daymond Patterson picked a bad day to switch to cornerback, as his debut at the new position Saturday came in the Jayhawks' worst defensive performance of the season.

Big 12 Perspective: League puts up big points

On a day where scoreboards were lit up across the nation, it only seemed fitting that the Big 12 would lead the way.

KU walk-on hopefuls toil without guarantee

Session draws 17 students wanting to show they have 'moxie' to help team

Seventeen Kansas University students practiced for two hours, then ran a series of grueling Boot Camp-like sprints to conclude men's walk-on basketball tryouts Sunday night in Allen Fieldhouse.

Kansas licking wounds

With the possible exception of game-day weather, there were probably not a lot of positives the Kansas University football coaching staff could take away from Saturday's 63-21 loss to visiting Texas Tech. The Jayhawks gave up 556 yards of total offense. They turned the ball over five times.

Kansas women's golf 14th at Auburn tourney

Kansas University's women's golf team finished its fall season with a 14th-place finish Sunday.

Penn State surges in BCS standings

Penn State surged in the Bowl Championship Series standings after its big win at Ohio State, closing the gap on first-place Texas and second-place Alabama on Sunday.

Meyer issues gag order

Florida has all the motivation it needs against rival Georgia, and coach Urban Meyer doesn't want to give the Bulldogs any help.

Heat waive center Padgett

The Miami Heat waived former Kansas University and Louisville center David Padgett, along with guard Jason Richards, on Sunday, getting down to the league's 15-man roster limit for the start of the regular season.

Commentary: Mammoth game looms in Lubbock

They're ready to rumble in Lubbock, Texas, where the stakes never have been higher for a Texas Tech home game.

KU blanks Baylor, bids for NCAAs

The senior class of Kansas University's soccer team is quite cognizant of the pangs the NCAA Tournament selection committee can bring. Twice before, they've come tantalizingly close to qualifying for the postseason event, only to be denied an at-large bid on selection day.

Dugan Arnett's quick hits

The game was over when... Kansas quarterback Todd Reesing fumbled late in the first half with the Jayhawks trailing by 14.

FIU's Galindo injured

Florida International University senior forward Alex Galindo recently suffered a dislocated ankle during individual workouts and will be lost for a minimum of eight to 10 weeks.

Pickens plans OSU gift

Texas oil tycoon and Oklahoma State University alum T. Boone Pickens said he plans to announce another major financial gift to his alma mater.

Commentary: Ugly exit can't spoil Olson's legacy

In 1982-1983, the University of Arizona men's basketball team finished 4-24. Its only victories were over Florida International, Northern Arizona University, San Diego State and Stanford. "The program was a joke," former Arizona State coach Bill Frieder said.

KU loses in three sets

The Kansas University volleyball team's defense featured three players with double-digit digs, but the Jayhawks fell in three sets (25-17, 25-14, 25-23) to Texas A&M on Saturday.

KU football notes

While it is unlikely that Kerry Meier will be eligible to participate in this year's Heisman Trophy voting, the Kansas junior receiver knows whom he'd pick if he were. "He's sure got my Heisman vote," said Meier of Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell.

Tech QB stunned by margin

Confident in himself and his teammates, Graham Harrell expected a Texas Tech victory Saturday at Memorial Stadium. But 63-21? A rout so convincing Harrell, Tech's senior quarterback, would be able to sit out the final 12 minutes, 48 seconds?

Wright option exercised

The New Orleans Hornets have exercised one-year team options on former first-round draft picks Julian Wright and Hilton Armstrong.

Big 12 Roundup: Texas survives scare

Sooners sustain 21-point KSU rally

Top-ranked Texas was put to its toughest test yet and came through unbeaten.

KU golf in ninth place

Sophomore Meghna Bal shot a one-over-par 73 Saturday to help the Kansas women's golf team move into ninth place in The Derby.

Coaches gather at clinic

Kevin Boyle, who has led St. Patrick High School to six New Jersey state titles in the past 11 years, shared some of his secrets of success with the 400 or so coaches in town for Bill Self's basketball clinic Saturday in Allen Fieldhouse.

Game balls & Gassers

Daymond Patterson fumbled the only punt he fielded.

KU secondary shaken up

Thornton, Harris change positions to shore up unit

Justin Thornton said he didn't mind being moved from safety to cornerback Saturday. He just wished he'd have felt a little more comfortable in his new setting. "I've just got to get my feet under me," Thornton said after KU's 63-21 loss to Texas Tech at Memorial Stadium. "It's different when you only practice corner for three days and you've got to go out against the No. 1 offense in the country."

Top 25 Roundup: Penn St. snaps 30-year winless streak at OSU

Pat Devlin came off the bench for injured starting quarterback Daryll Clark in the fourth quarter, leading two scoring drives and sneaking in for the go-ahead touchdown to give Penn State its first victory at Ohio State in 30 years.

(Expletive) chant remains

The University Daily Kansan's effort to bring a new kickoff chant to Memorial Stadium succeeded Saturday, but the effort to rid the old obscene chant failed.

Keegan: Lopsided loss came as a surprise to many

It was supposed to be a close game, one that would leave the 50,000-plus spectators turning their heads back and forth as if watching a tennis match. They were supposed to be treated to a pair of great passing offenses. The last team to score wins. That sort of a game. That game still might happen, but not until next weekend, when Kansas State brings its pass-happy offense and slapped-silly defense to Memorial Stadium for what suddenly seems like a tough game to forecast, the way Texas Tech-Kansas shaped up as a difficult call, at least until the second quarter arrived.

Now that was ugly

Raiders have way with KU

It is not an easy thing to put a positive spin on a 42-point college football loss. It is even more difficult, one would imagine, to do this if the loss occurred at home - during a weekend in which a university's alumni are in town to celebrate said university's history and tradition. So Saturday, after his team had endured a 63-21 drubbing at the hands of visiting Texas Tech on homecoming weekend, Kansas University coach Mark Mangino didn't try.

FINAL: Texas Tech racks up 559 yards of offense in 63-21 victory

5:20 p.m. Some notes from Tech's 63-21 victory over KU.

Game day primes parking trade

A car slowly drives down Illinois Street 10 minutes before Kansas University's recent football game against Colorado. One of the passengers rolls down the window and asks one of the many people out selling parking spots, "How much?" Thirty-five dollars is the going rate, this close to the stadium, this close to game time. "That's a lot of money," the man says as the car pulls away looking for a better deal. But he's probably not going to find one.

Pelini: Nebraska defense improving

Nebraska's defense is getting better, and Coach Bo Pelini says the Cornhuskers' offense deserves some of the credit.

KU golf in 12th; Powers in eighth

Kansas University golfer Emily Powers shot a 73 and is in eighth place after the first round of The Derby.

On the defensive

KU's Bowen among coordinators grappling with spread offense

Clint Bowen needs a hug. It's early afternoon on a recent Tuesday, and Bowen, the first-year defensive coordinator for the Kansas University football team, is surrounded by reporters who are asking him, in short, why his defense hasn't been able to stop anybody this season. It's a fair question.

A&M coach encouraged by loss

Texas A&M coach Mike Sherman took some positive things away from Texas Tech's victory over the Aggies on Saturday.

Tigers try to stay positive

Missouri 'feeling down' after back-to-back losses

On even the cloudiest day, there's a bit of blue sky. With consecutive dispiriting losses threatening to ruin their season, Missouri coaches are reminding players of that fact.

Michigan coach signs

Rich Rodriguez finally is under contract as Michigan's head coach.

Red Raiders adding run to gun

Traditionally pass-happy Tech leads Big 12 Conference with 5.5 yards per carry

There are certain things you can count on in each college football season. ESPN analyst Mark May will pick against Kansas University (no matter how one-sided the matchup), 84 percent of fans will refer to Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel as "Chase Daniels," and the Texas Tech Red Raiders will put up passing numbers that defy logic.

Arizona names Pennell

Arizona selected Russ Pennell as the interim replacement for retired coach Lute Olson. The 47-year-old Pennell is a former assistant to Rob Evans at Arizona State and served last year as a Sun Devils radio analyst.

KU swimming ties for third at relays

The Kansas University swimming and diving team tied for third at the Big 12 Relays on Friday at Robinson Natatorium. KU and Missouri each finished with 62 points.

KU soccer falls to Texas, 1-0

A vibrant, glistening rainbow snuck through the dark, dreary clouds over Kansas University's campus Friday afternoon.

Boise State rolls over SJSU, 33-16

Kellen Moore and his Boise State teammates showed San Jose State that the 13th-ranked Broncos are still the class of the WAC.

Jayhawk forward Little out two to four weeks

Kansas University junior forward Mario Little, who has been bothered by a stress fracture in his lower left leg off and on since last spring, will sit out the next two to four weeks of basketball practice and games as he continues to receive treatment. "Mario's leg is not responding. He's going to take an extended period of time off," KU coach Bill Self said Friday. "It's just not getting better, so we're going to take an approach where he's totally off it. We'll let the stress fracture continue to heal as opposed to trying to work through it now."

KU vs. TT: Head to head

Jake Sharp has rushed for 100 yards in two consecutive games and averaged 8.6 yards on 12 carries last week against Oklahoma despite limited usage in the second half.

History not on the Jayhawks' side against TT

Saturday morning, the Kansas football team takes on undefeated Texas Tech. Historically speaking, this has been a one-sided series. The Red Raiders and Jayhawks have played 10 times before. Nine times, the Jayhawks have lost.

Newcomers have tons to learn

No offense to Leno, Letterman, Conan or Craig Ferguson. But when Bill Self hops in the sack late at night, he's choosing a re-run over comedy on his TV: tape of Kansas University's 75-68 national-championship victory over Memphis. "I've watched it 50 times. It's how I go to bed," Self, KU's sixth-year coach, said, entertaining a batch of reporters at Thursday's Big 12 Media Day in downtown Oklahoma City.

Keegan: Manning opens window - a crack

A window opened Thursday at high noon on the second floor of the College Basketball Experience wing of the Sprint Center. It allowed for a rare peak inside the private personality and brilliant basketball mind of Danny Manning.

Ex-Jayhawk Price to coach SDSU

Ritchie Price, oldest son of Kansas University baseball coach Ritch Price, will serve as interim head coach at South Dakota State through the 2009 baseball season.Young Price was promoted to the interim post when Reggie Christensen, a former KU aide, joined the staff at Sacramento State.

Gary Bedore's Big 12 hoops notebook

University of Oklahoma superstar Blake Griffin noticed something shiny on Cole Aldrich's right ring finger. He walked over to Kansas University's sophomore center to check it out. "Blake said he was going to get one himself this year," Aldrich, Kansas University's sophomore center, said of the 2008 national title ring he wore proudly at Big 12 Media Day in downtown OKC.

Wright handy on, off field

Jayhawks find they can count on linebacker

There's a line in the Kansas University football team's media guide that has linebacker Arist Wright's teammates torn. "Claims to be a handy man," the line reads. Hmmm. "I don't think he can fix anything," sophomore linebacker Dakota Lewis said.

Arizona's Olson retires

Wildcats' coach steps down after 24 years

Lute Olson has retired after 24 seasons with the Arizona Wildcats. Athletic director Jim Livengood confirmed Olson's decision hours after news reports had started speculating about the 74-year-old Hall of Famer's future.

Army, Navy to play later

The annual Army-Navy football game will be played a week later starting in 2009. The rivalry will take place each year on the second Saturday in December. The academies and CBS announced Thursday they had extended their TV rights agreement through 2018.

ISU guard to have surgery

Iowa State basketball guard Lucca Staiger has had another setback. The player from Germany had to sit out last season and lose a year of eligibility after the NCAA said a club team he played on in Germany was professional. Now, Staiger will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.

Mayer: Tech's history riveting

You get one of those good ol' boy schools like Texas Tech or Oklahoma State, and a lot of times they do things a little differently from the self-styled elitists such as Texas or Oklahoma. Such campuses often are a bit friendlier and "hi y'all." You can find countless items of unusual history.

Cincinnati loses guard

Point guard Cashmere Wright, a freshman who was expected to play a big role for Cincinnati, tore a knee ligament and is out for the season. The team said Thursday that Wright tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during practice this week.

Dugan Arnett's KU football notebook

If the idea of a Kansas University receiving corps of Michael Crabtree, Dezmon Briscoe, Kerry Meier and Johnathan Wilson sounds out-of-this-world ridiculous today, two years ago, it was a legitimate possibility. In the spring of 2006, Crabtree's senior year at Dallas' Carter High, Kansas coach Mark Mangino saw the current Texas Tech standout play live and immediately made a push to sign the four-star prospect.

KU swimming falls to Texas A&M, 133-106

Kansas University's Danielle Hermann and Erin Mertz each claimed two victories on the night, but the Jayhawks suffered a 133-106 loss to ninth-ranked Texas A&M in a Big 12 swimming and diving dual Thursday at Robinson Natatorium.

New kickoff chant chosen to replace obscene one

Students and anyone else attending this Saturday's Kansas University football game looking for a different kickoff chant now have a new option. After nearly a full week of polling students, KU's student newspaper unveiled its winning slogan: "Kayyyyyyy (kick) Youuuuuuu!"

Giles cut by Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers requested waivers Wednesday on former Kansas University forward C.J. Giles and Joe Crawford, reducing their roster to the opening-day maximum of 15. Giles, a free agent who played for Oregon State last season, averaged 2.0 points and 2.5 rebounds in four preseason games.

Contest winner now TTU's kicker

A Texas Tech student who earlier this year won a field-goal kicking contest during a Red Raiders game could see time at place-kicker when the team travels to No. 19 Kansas for an 11 a.m. matchup Saturday, the school confirmed Wednesday.

KU volleyball loses to BU

The Kansas University volleyball team lost to Baylor, 3-0 (25-17, 25-18, 27-25), on Wednesday night. KU sophomore Karina Garlington notched her 16th contest of double-digit kills this season with 10. The Jayhawks dropped to 9-10 overall and 3-7 in Big 12 action, while the Bears improved to 14-6 and 6-4 in the conference.

Kansas women remain upbeat at Media Days

Losing Angel Goodrich for the season is not just a big story in Lawrence, but around the Big 12 Conference. And so Kansas University women's basketball coach Bonnie Henrickson addressed her prize signee's upcoming ACL surgery in her opening statements at the league's women's basketball Media Days on Wednesday.

Keegan: Kansas wins a shootout

Sometimes, picking college football games has a lot in common with picking stocks. Both resemble crapshoots and the winners in both ventures are the ones who buy low and sell high. Indicators suggest that now is the best time to sell your stock in 2008 Texas Tech football. The Red Raiders (7-0) are ranked No. 8 in the nation, yet Las Vegas has made Kansas the favorite in Saturday's 11 a.m.

Appleton yet to practice

Kansas University held its fifth men's basketball practice of the season Wednesday. Junior guard Tyrone Appleton has yet to practice because of a hip flexor injury. "I'm concerned that he's getting behind," KU coach Bill Self said, noting Appleton has been working on the stationary bike to stay in shape. "He just can't cut," Self said.

KU chant options narrowed to two

And then there were two. Kansas University's student newspaper has winnowed its options for a new football kickoff chant. Voting on a new chant to replace the vulgar "Rip his (expletive) head off" concluded Wednesday on kansan.com.

Kansas basketball recruiting class reminiscent of past

As the Kansas basketball team embarks on its national championship defense, this year's squad has striking similarities to the 2005 recruiting class of Coach Bill Self.

Xavier Henry involved in car accident

Prep standout suffers fractured cheekbone

Xavier Henry, Rivals.com's No. 3-rated high school basketball player, was involved in a car accident Wednesday in Oklahoma City, the Daily Oklahoman reported Wednesday night.

Cowboys fired up for challenge of No. 1 Texas

There's a different feeling in the air around Oklahoma State these days. Quarterback Zac Robinson noticed it when he ran into star receiver Dez Bryant before weightlifting Monday morning.

Keegan: North title up for grabs

The rules dictated that somebody had to represent the Kansas City Royals in the 1969 All-Star Game. The American League needed another catcher, so Ellie Rodriguez made the team, despite carrying a .260 batting average, two home runs and 12 RBIs into the break. You think those numbers made Rodriguez, his family, friends and members of his fan club (both of them), any less proud of him when he was called to the line in pregame introductions? Rodriguez, a .245 career hitter, finished with 16 home runs in nine seasons, but he was a two-time All-Star (1972, representing the Milwaukee Brewers). An All-Star is an All-Star.

Scoreboard boosters: Will defenses ever catch up to high-octane offenses in Big 12?

Lamenting the demise of defense in college football? Get used to it. Some coaches in the high-octane Big 12, with its ridiculously rich crop of great young quarterbacks and four of the top eight teams in the country, say there's been a fundamental shift in the game and the pendulum might never swing back.

Dugan Arnett's KU football notebook

Through two and a half quarters of the Kansas University football team's loss to Oklahoma last Saturday, running back Jake Sharp put together the best performance, arguably, from a Jayhawks running back this year.

Collins: Team not worried about low expectations

Kansas University's men's basketball team won't be saddled with great expectations nationally heading into the 2008-09 season. Blue Ribbon Yearbook, which is generally regarded as the most knowledgeable of the preseason publications, has tapped the defending national champion Jayhawks No. 17 in the country.

Under the radar

WR Briscoe quietly putting up big numbers for Jayhawks

In the days leading up to the Kansas University football team's 11 a.m. matchup with eighth-ranked Texas Tech on Saturday, much of the pre-game focus will center on the Jayhawks ability to slow down Red Raiders receiver Michael Crabtree, last year's Biletnikoff Award winner and consensus all-American. What won't be discussed nearly as much - but could play just as big a role in the game's outcome - is how the Tech defense hopes to limit Kansas receiver Dezmon Briscoe.

KU set to face off with another Top 10 opponent

For the second straight week, the Kansas football team takes on another Top 10 opponent. This Saturday, Mark Mangino's squad hooks up with unbeaten, 6th-ranked Texas Tech.

Cole Aldrich hopes to lead young Jayhawks

The Kansas men's basketball team start exhibition play against Washburn on November 4th. WIth seven newcomers joining the team this season, it's easy to understand why sophomore center Cole Aldrich is now counted among the most-experienced Jayhawks on the team.

KU defense continues to search for answers

The Kansas football team continues to search for a missing component of its defense. And the Jayhawks might want to put up 'wanted' posters to help find their pass rush before hosting Texas Tech on Saturday.

KU's Stuckey recognized by Big 12

The Big 12 Conference recognized Darrell Stuckey on Tuesday for his hard work on and off the field.

Jayhawks to field very young squad this season

Thanks to the early departures of Brandon Rush, Mario Chalmers and Darrell Arthur, the Jayhawks will field one of their youngest teams in recent memory.

KU women's basketball point guard Goodrich out for season

Highly touted freshman tore ACL in practice

Close loss or embarrassing blowout, Kansas University women's basketball coach Bonnie Henrickson always takes the podium afterward, poised and confident, and tells it like it is.

OU WR Johnson doubtful

No. 4 Oklahoma could be without starting wide receiver Manuel Johnson on Saturday against Kansas State.

Recruit Henry in no hurry to select school

Now that Xavier Henry has visited both Kansas University and Memphis, all that remains is for Rivals.com's No. 3-rated player to make a final decision on a school. There's no timetable or deadline for the decision, Henry's mom, former KU player Barbara Adkins, said Monday night.

Dugan Arnett's KU football notebook

Although Kansas University's 11 a.m. meeting with visiting Texas Tech on Saturday has all the makings of an old-fashioned shootout - two teams ranked in the top 10 nationally in pass offense and bottom 20 nationally in pass defense - Jayhawks coach Mark Mangino made it clear Monday that he won't be content with a lacking defensive effort from his team.

Gary Bedore's KU basketball notebook

Barbara Adkins, mother of Kansas University recruiting target Xavier Henry, played for KU's women's team from 1982 to '85. She enjoyed her weekend in Lawrence, when Henry visited for Late Night in the Phog.

Coach defends TTech

Red Raiders' Leach finds rumblings of struggles 'ironic'

Even as his team has built a perfect 7-0 record (3-0 in the Big 12) and No. 8 national ranking this season, Texas Tech coach Mike Leach has been faced with questions about his team's recent "struggles" - specifically, underwhelming performances against conference opponents Nebraska and Texas A&M. And Monday, Leach, whose Red Raiders will take on Kansas University at 11 a.m. Saturday at Memorial Stadium, let the media know his feelings on the matter.

Tyshawn Taylor knows the tradition #15 holds

It's a number that will always be connected with Mario Chalmers' miracle shot in the National Championship. But this season the torch and the number 15 will be passed to freshman Tyshawn Taylor.

KU women's basketball team ready to turn the corner

This year, the Kansas women's basketball team return four starters and 11 letterwinners off last year's squad who finished with a 17-16 record. However, for head coach Bonnie Henrickson, the 2008-09 season will feature a sense of urgency for the KU program.

Student newspaper offers options to obscene chant at KU football games

The leadership of Kansas University's student newspaper and other KU and athletic department officials are hoping more students begin thinking like Logan Chamberlin.

KU-KSU will be televised on FSN with 11:30 a.m. start time

The Kansas-Kansas State football game in Lawrence on Nov. 1 will be televised on FSN and will start at 11:30 a.m., the Big 12 announced Monday.

No rest for weary Kansas

It wasn't that the Kansas University football team didn't expect the offensive blitzkrieg it got from fourth-ranked Oklahoma on Saturday in Norman. It was just that, against one of the country's top programs, the Jayhawks' lack of defensive depth - especially in the secondary - proved too much to overcome.

Kansas soccer records rout

McCabe's hat trick sparks KU to 7-0 victory over Francis Marion

Francis Marion University's soccer team brought a flimsy, plastic butter knife to a proverbial gun fight Sunday afternoon at Jayhawk Soccer Complex. Kansas University, meanwhile, toted an artillery of ballistic missiles, rendering the Patriots' meager tools helpless to KU's talented offensive arsenal.

Recruit had blast at Late Night

California guard Snaer down to 5 schools

Michael Snaer figures he picked the best possible weekend to make an official recruiting trip to Kansas University. That is, the start of college basketball season. "Oh, man ... Late Night (in the Phog) was something else. It was totally different from anything I've seen before. It was all new to me. I took it all in," Snaer, Rivals.com's No. 11-rated prospect nationally, said Sunday upon returning to his hometown of Moreno Valley, Calif.

Gary Bedore's KU basketball notebook

ESPN.com recruiting coordinator Joel Francisco says the Jayhawks have picked up a stellar point guard in Elijah Johnson, who orally committed to Kansas University on Saturday night.

Texas No. 1 in polls, first BCS standings

The grid is set for the race to the BCS national championship game.

Kansas falls three spots to 19 in AP Top 25, Texas stays in first

After a 45-31 loss at Oklahoma, Kansas dropped three spots to No. 19 in the AP Top 25 released Sunday.

Keegan: Unhurried, Bradford picked Kansas apart

To hear Oklahoma University quarterback Sam Bradford tell it, he faced all the stress of a fisherman vacationing on a hot summer day, with nowhere to go, nobody to see, nothing on his to-do list, waiting, waiting, waiting to strike, knowing he will. "I can't tell you how much time I had back there in the pocket today to just look, figure out what they were running and find open receivers," Bradford said after leading the Sooners to a 45-31 victory Saturday against Kansas.

Jayhawks top Sooners

Senior Savannah Noyes recorded a season-high 17 kills, while sophomore Karina Garlington and freshman Nicole Tate chipped in double-doubles as the Kansas University volleyball team defeated Oklahoma, 3-1, Saturday during the third annual Dig for the Cure match at Horejsi Center.

KA-BOOM!

Explosive Sooners blow past Kansas

In the aftermath of the events that transpired inside Oklahoma's Memorial Stadium on Saturday afternoon - the offensive onslaught that the Oklahoma Sooners unleashed upon a visiting Kansas University football team - Darrell Stuckey stood in a cramped room in the stadium's innards and answered questions. There were lots of them, and Stuckey, the lone defensive representative made available to reporters, spoke patiently, trying to explain how a Kansas defense known over the years for being stout and disciplined had allowed Oklahoma to pile up 674 yards of total offense.

KU's Briscoe wanted win

Two-hundred sixty-nine receiving yards weren't enough to put a smile on Dezmon Briscoe's face. "It would mean a whole lot more if we would have won," the KU receiver said after his team's 45-31 loss to Oklahoma on Saturday at Memorial Stadium. "It's an individual stat, but I'm really more of a team player."

Top 25 Roundup: Penn State obliterates Wolverines, 46-17

USC blanks Washington St., 69-0

Polishing off Joe Paterno's greatest nemesis, No. 3 Penn State ended a dozen years of disappointment against Michigan.

Kansas football notebook

Jocques Crawford, the highly touted transfer running back who recently has become an afterthought in the Kansas offense, took a step forward Saturday in emerging as a potential weapon. This time, though, he did it in a new role.

Dugan Arnett's quick hits

Kansas failed to convert on a third-and-two late in the third quarter while trailing 38-24. Quarterback Todd Reesing's pass attempt to receiver Dezmon Briscoe on a deep pass was incomplete, forcing the Jayhawks to punt.

Game balls & Gassers

A quick look at who played well and who didn't during the Jayhawks' matchup with Oklahoma.

Sooner switch secret

Safety Harris fills void at linebacker

Pine trees line the practice field at Oklahoma, just as they do at Kansas University. Sooners coach Bob Stoops and KU coach Mark Mangino worked on the same staff at Kansas State under Bill Snyder, who made CIA agents seem loose-lipped by comparison.

KU tops Lumberjacks

The Kansas University swimming and diving team set nine pool records and earned victories in all 16 events as the Jayhawks cruised to a 197-107 victory over Northern Arizona in a non-conference dual meet Saturday.

Kansas quiet at regional

Kansas University's tennis team completed the third of four fall tournaments Thursday at the ITA Central Regionals.

Big 12 Roundup: Texas torches Mizzou, 56-31

A week after earning Texas' first regular-season No. 1 ranking since 1984 by knocking off Oklahoma, Colt McCoy and the Longhorns used a stunning blend of dominating offense and defense in the first half to crush No. 11 Missouri, 56-31, Saturday night.

Vegas prep Johnson feeling better after choosing KU

Elijah Johnson, a 6-foot-2, 183-pound point guard from Cheyenne High in Las Vegas, has orally committed to attend Kansas University on a basketball scholarship.

Darnell Jackson out indefinitely with fractured wrist

Cleveland Cavaliers rookie Darnell Jackson is out indefinitely with a fractured left wrist.

FINAL: Bradford's career day leads OU to 45-31 victory

Final, OU wins 45-31. Sam Bradford passed for an Oklahoma-record 468 yards as the Sooners rolled to a 45-24 victory over Kansas on Saturday at OU's Memorial Stadium.

K-State event draws 5,000

Beasley appears on video at Bramlage

Michael Beasley is gone from Manhattan, but there he was by video Friday night, getting Kansas State basketball fans worked up for the upcoming season.

Commentary: NCAA graduation rates deceiving

There's a reason I didn't major in statistics in college. They give me a headache, no matter how hard I try to digest them.

Daniel not bitter over snub

Texas didn't recruit Missouri QB as Dallas prep

Chase Daniel surrendered the Heisman spotlight with three interceptions in an upset loss to Oklahoma State. Now Missouri's quarterback will get a quick opportunity for redemption - and a homecoming against the top-ranked school that didn't push hard to recruit him.

Keegan: This Angel's exciting

Sherri Coale, coach of perennial national women's basketball power Oklahoma, offered Angel Goodrich a scholarship. Except when a Tennessee or a UConn is offering, that usually means the next words Coale hears are, "I'm coming to OU."

KU women hoopsters dance, then play to tie in scrimmage

Coach Bonnie Henrickson felt rather calm about watching her Kansas University women's basketball team's first practice of the 2008-2009 season. Surveying the pre-game skits at Late Night in the Phog? Now that's another story.

Leach dares A&M to play keep-away

Texas Tech coach Mike Leach dares Texas A&M to think it can simply keep the Red Raiders' powerful offense on the sideline and spring the upset today at Kyle Field.

Colorado QB confident despite struggles

Cody Hawkins sees a Colorado offense on the verge of a breakout, not a breakdown.

Teams previewed, championship banner unveiled at Allen Fieldhouse

A trio of friends and Jayhawk basketball fans waited nearly seven hours Friday to witness this year's basketball team enter the Allen Fieldhouse court for the annual Late Night in the Phog tradition. The Kansas University tradition kicks off the beginning of practice for the women's and men's basketball teams.

Gundy hands-off with OSU defense

Mike Gundy sees no reason to hide it. He's not the man in charge of Oklahoma State's defense, and he thinks the eighth-ranked Cowboys are better off that way.

Gary Bedore's KU basketball notebook

Four of the top senior high school basketball players in the country sat behind the Kansas University bench viewing the proceedings at Friday's Late Night in the Phog in Allen Fieldhouse.

Boise State rips sloppy Hawaii

Kellen Moore threw three touchdown passes, and cornerback Brandyn Thompson had three interceptions to lead No. 15 Boise State to a 27-7 victory over Hawaii on Friday night.

(Under)dog lovers

Jayhawks seem to like occasional slight

There was that "U" word again, coursing through the Mrkonic Auditorium on Tuesday afternoon. It was coming from everywhere. There it was in the back corner of the room, fresh off the lips of Kansas University linebacker James Holt. There it was, too, a few yards away, coming from cornerback Chris Harris. On the eve of their most anticipated game of the season - a 2:30 p.m. meeting today with national power Oklahoma - the Jayhawks are busy dusting off their favorite phrase of seasons past. "We like being the underdog," Harris said. "That's just how it's going to be at Kansas."

KU vs. OU: Head to head

While a revamped offensive scheme has breathed new life into the Jayhawks' running game the past two weeks, the recent production has come against Iowa State and Colorado, teams with a combined record of 5-7.

Let the good times roll

Unfurling title banner highlights fun, emotional night

And at 8:56 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 17, a national title banner was unfurled in the south rafters of tradition-rich Allen Fieldhouse. "I almost started crying. I don't think I was the only one. I almost did," sixth-year Kansas University basketball coach Bill Self said after a highly emotional, memorable 2008 Late Night in the Phog. "That was a big-time deal. I can't imagine it being any better than that."

Defection leaves ISU with rookie backup QB

By all accounts, Jerome Tiller is a strong-armed quarterback who can run, works hard and is an unselfish team player.

Mighty Oklahoma has few flaws

The Oklahoma University football team's 2008 media guide is not overly flashy. Unlike the Texas media guide, OU's does not feature complex holograms depicting the school's past standouts. And unlike the one put together at Texas A&M, it does not come in a glossy, hardback edition.

KU soccer surprises No. 6 Aggies with 1-0 victory

Shannon McCabe's goal Friday afternoon was a biggie. Maybe one of the biggest in Kansas University soccer history.

KU swimming, diving team tops Arizona St.

Kansas University senior Maria Mayrovich and junior Emily Lanteigne each won two freestyle events Friday as the KU swimming and diving team defeated No. 16 Arizona State, 149-147, at Mona Plummer Aquatic Center in the first dual meet for both schools.

The Newell Post Live: Late Night in the Phog

10:35 p.m. A few more quick observations from the stat sheet before we wrap it up.

Mayer: '64 game provides inspiration

The Kansas football team with its leaky pass defense could find itself trailing Slingin' Sam Bradford and Oklahoma by 21-0 in the first quarter Saturday. Or the Jayhawks could score on the first and last plays of the game, survive Sooner onslaughts and errors in between and pull off the kind of gigantic stunner they did here in 1964.

Nevada suspends three

Nevada starting guard Brandon Fields and two incoming freshmen have been suspended from the basketball team indefinitely after being cited for misdemeanor petty larceny, Wolf Pack coach Mark Fox said Thursday. London Giles, a 6-foot-3 guard from Dallas, and Ahyaro Phillips, a 6-8 forward from New Orleans, were suspended along with Fields after their release by Sparks police following an undisclosed incident Wednesday.

Dugan Arnett's KU football notebook

In case Oklahoma University safety Lendy Holmes was under the impression that he could guard Kansas receiver Dexton Fields, the latter Wednesday was more than happy to set his friend and former teammate straight.

Four guards on KU visit

Four of the top high school senior guards in the country will be in Allen Fieldhouse for tonight's Late Night in the Phog. Blue chips making official recruiting visits to Kansas University are: No. 3-rated Xavier Henry, 6-foot-6, 210 pounds from Putnam City (Okla.) High; No. 11 Michael Snaer, 6-4, 185 from Rancho Verde High in Moreno Valley, Calif.; No. 16 Dominic Cheek, 6-5, 170 from St. Anthony High in Jersey City, N.J.; and No. 27 Elijah Johnson, 6-2, 183 from Cheyenne High in Las Vegas.

KU's seven newcomers to make debut tonight

Some diehard Kansas University men's basketball fans already have seen the Jayhawks' seven-member recruiting class of 2008 up close and personal. Those were the devotees who attended Bill Self's summer camp games, Kansas City Pro-Am League contests and/or exhibition affairs over Labor Day weekend in Canada.

BYU's streak ends

BYU will need a small miracle to reach the BCS. And maybe even just to win the Mountain West Conference. TCU made sure of that.

Seeing double

Morris twins tough to distinguish

When they are seated - as they were Thursday in Allen Fieldhouse - it's almost impossible to differentiate between Kansas University freshman twins Marcus and Markieff Morris. "My head might be a little bigger," said Markieff, who measures 6-foot-10, 235 pounds to his brother's 6-81â4, 225-pound frame.

Neighbors support 18th Street closure near Allen Fieldhouse

The temporary barriers are gone. The signs are gone. The pavement's gone. In their place along 18th Street is a new concrete lattice, one strong enough to support the weight of hundreds of cars, vans and SUVs leaving after a Kansas University basketball game, but open enough to allow new grass to grow, bicycles to pass through and neighbors to rest easy.

Kansas pass defense improving

The Kansas University pass defense showed significant improvement in its last three halves of football, starting with the second half of the come-from-behind victory in Ames and continuing throughout the home victory against Colorado.

Predicting BCS is pure guesswork

Following another Saturday of college football games, the season's first Bowl Championship Series standings will be revealed Oct. 19. Prepare for a cacophony of caterwauling and a tortuous tumult on cable TV, talk radio and the Internet.

Gary Bedore's KU basketball notebook

Kansas University's basketball team is in more of a reloading than rebuilding mode this season. "If I came in here and told you I thought we'd finish fifth in the league, that's a great message you are sending to your constituents," KU coach Bill Self joked Thursday at Media Day in Allen Fieldhouse.

KU soccer coach reprimanded

Kansas University soccer coach Mark Francis has been reprimanded by the Big 12 Conference and fined $2,500 by KU for his actions in last Friday's match at Oklahoma State.

MU downs KU volleyball

Missouri defeated Kansas, 3-1, in Big 12 volleyball on Wednesday. The Jayhawks won the third set, 25-21, and fell in the other three 25-20, 25-19 and 25-19. Melissa Grieb and Melissa Manda had 20 digs apiece for Kansas (8-9 overall, 2-6 Big 12). Karina Garlington had 17 kills, while Natalie Uhart and Jenna Kaiser had 12. MU is 9-9, 3-5.

Pitt loses linebacker

Pittsburgh outside linebacker Shane Murray will have surgery next week to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and miss the rest of the season.

Louisville forward out

Louisville senior forward Terrence Williams underwent knee surgery Wednesday and is expected to be out four to six weeks.

BYU player stabbed

A BYU basketball player on a Mormon mission and another missionary were attacked and stabbed while returning to their apartment in a suburb of Sydney, Australia. Chris Collinsworth, a 6-foot-9 forward, suffered multiple non-life threatening stab wounds.

3 Jayhawks eliminated

Three Kansas University tennis players - senior Yuliana Svistun, sophomore Maria Martinez, and freshman Erin Wilbert - were eliminated in the second round of the ITA Central Regionals on Wednesday.

Keeping QB Bradford off balance vital for Jayhawks

So far this week, the Kansas University football team's strategy for slowing down Oklahoma super-sophomore quarterback Sam Bradford has centered on a single idea: disruption. When the 16th-ranked Jayhawks travel to Norman on Saturday for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff against No. 4 Oklahoma, they'll be looking to make life particularly difficult for the Sooners' signal-caller.

UAPB coach reprimanded

Arkansas-Pine Bluff coach Monte Coleman has received an official reprimand from the Southwestern Athletic Conference for criticizing officials after a loss to Jackson State last weekend.

SDSU's Wade suspended

San Diego State basketball coach Steve Fisher has indefinitely suspended senior forward Lorrenzo Wade, who pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of stealing a television from a woman's home.

Memphis' mascot dies

TOM II, the Bengal tiger mascot of the University of Memphis, has died. He was 17.

KU's Self juggles restless offseason

Since clipping the nets last April 7 in San Antonio, national champion basketball coach Bill Self has attended:¢ the ESPY Awards in Los Angeles.¢ the Winged Foot Coach of the Year Awards in New York.¢ a White House Rose Garden Ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Knight might return

Bob Knight, the winningest coach in Division I history, left the door ajar to a return to coaching college basketball during a wide-ranging television interview broadcast Wednesday night.

Late Night on video

Live streaming video of Friday's Late Night in the Phog will be shown at kuathletics.com, officials announced Wednesday.

History of struggles motivates KU women for '08-'09

Bonnie Henrickson couldn't vote for her own team in the Big 12 Conference preseason women's basketball poll. Yet if the Kansas University coach could have ranked the Jayhawks :? "I wouldn't have picked us ninth," Henrickson said. In other words, Henrickson believes her team will finish higher than the league coaches predicted. And, in truth, even a .500 record would look good to Henrickson who in four seasons on Mount Oread has compiled a lackluster 18-46 record against conference foes.

A New No. 1: Texas maturing into punishing force

No more than a few weeks ago, the University of Texas football program wasn't even ranked in the top 10. The Longhorns were: ¢ Too young and inexperienced. ¢ The third-best team in the Big 12 on a good day. Maybe fourth best if Texas Tech lived up to expectations. ¢ Unable to punish teams with a power running attack like classic Texas teams of the past. Coach Mack Brown even called the Longhorns "under the radar" at No. 11 before the season. He said it was a positive for his young team. Oh, what a victory over a top-ranked Oklahoma team can do in the national title picture.

Keegan: Kansas offense is equalizer

Routs happen when one team has no trouble scoring and the other can't find the end zone. In the past, routs generally happened when Kansas University played either Texas or Oklahoma. That was then. This is now: Quarterback Todd Reesing, program changer, is at his best when a play breaks down and when his team trails. Both of those factors figure to happen a lot Saturday in Norman. Reesing has the sort of physical and mental durability suited for the underdog role.

Names no problem for Self

Kansas University basketball coach Bill Self's new book, "At Home in the Phog," chronicles Self's journey to Lawrence and the Jayhawks' road to - and the immediate aftermath of - the 2008 national championship.In this, the third of three excerpts from the book, Final Four weekend when the Jayhawks defeated North Carolina and Memphis to win the NCAA championship is remembered, and Self's ability to recall names is documented.

MU coach signs extension

Missouri baseball coach Tim Jamieson signed a five-year extension through 2013.

Graduation rates rise

An NCAA report released Tuesday says 79 percent of student-athletes who entered school in the fall of 2001 graduated within six years, an all-time high, and 78 percent of those who enrolled between 1998 and 2001 also graduated.

Return to the Sooner state

Jayhawks from Oklahoma not expecting warm welcome

Friendship only stretches so far in Oklahoma. In the case of Chris Harris, a Bixby, Okla., native and current cornerback for the Kansas University football team, the cut-off point is the turnstiles of Oklahoma's Memorial Stadium. When Harris and the rest of his Oklahoma-born teammates travel to Norman on Saturday for Kansas' 2:30 p.m. matchup with the No. 4 Sooners, they're not exactly expecting a welcome-home party.

Big 12 notebook

Iowa State coach Gene Chizik is keeping his fingers crossed now that backup quarterback Phllip Bates has quit the team. The new No. 2 is true freshman Jerome Tiller, but Chizik doesn't want to burn Tiller's redshirt. He'll have to, however, if starter Austen Arnaud goes down.

Dugan Arnett's KU football notebook

In the wake of his team's disastrous special teams showing last week against Colorado, Kansas University coach Mark Mangino didn't waste much time making good on his promise to try to shore up the problems as quickly as possible.

Jayhawks face tough opponents in upcoming weeks

Six weeks left in the season - four squads in the nation's Top 11 left on the schedule. That daunting slate is much different than KU's conference run in 2007.

Mangino headed back to Oklahoma

Mark Mangino isn't exactly heading home this weekend, however, he is heading back to a place that he called home for three years.

All-Big 12 pick Collins healthy heading into season

Kansas junior guard Sherron Collins was named to the preseason all-conference team and junior guard Mario Little was named newcomer of the year, by Big 12 Conference coaches.

Self recalls Bucknell bummer

Kansas University basketball coach Bill Self's new book, "At Home in the Phog," chronicles Self's journey to Lawrence and the Jayhawks' road to - and immediate aftermath of - the 2008 national championship. In this, the second of three excerpts from the book, Self talks about the Jayhawks' first-round NCAA Tournament loss to Bucknell in 2005.

Bowden out at Clemson

Tommy Bowden is out as Clemson's football coach.

'Late Night' conducts food drive

Now Holly Hulburt has even more reason to look forward to the beginning of the Kansas University basketball season. His food pantry at the Salvation Army looks to fill up once again.

Mangino: OU will be all business

The Oklahoma University football team is not accustomed to losing. Winning is kind of the Sooners' thing, so much so that, entering the 2008 season, they had managed to piece together more victories than any other team in the country since 2000.

Late Night memories

Brown's brainchild has grown into mature 24-year-old

Larry Brown can't remember who first came up with the idea to hold a season-opening basketball celebration at Kansas University. Memories tend to fade after 24 years. "Mark Freidinger, one of our assistant coaches, and some other guys wanted to bring some enthusiasm to the program. We just did it," former KU and current Charlotte Bobcats coach Brown said of KU's Late Night, which debuted in 1985 and is still going strong entering Friday's 24th-annual festivities.

Blood drive offers chance for KU tickets

Lawrence Memorial Hospital, 325 Maine, is hosting a blood drive for the Community Blood Center from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 23.

Kansas University notebook

Little doubt the biggest mystery surrounding the Kansas University football team has been the sudden disappearance of its kick-return game in general and Marcus Herford in particular.

Woodling: Women get rare early tip

So I was glancing at the Kansas University women's basketball schedule a couple of weeks ago, and I noticed a 1 p.m. game on Nov. 18. Hey, wait a minute. That's a Tuesday. KU doesn't play weekday games in the afternoon. Must be a typographical error. Then I learned the KU women's game against Iowa was part of an ESPN package featuring 23 consecutive televised hours of college basketball on that day. Moreover, KU-Iowa is the lone women's game included in that hoops marathon.

KU will meet Texas Tech at 11 a.m. on ESPN or ESPN2

Game is Jayhawks' homecoming

The Big 12 Conference announced this morning that KU's game against Texas Tech will be at 11 a.m. Oct. 25 and televised by ESPN or ESPN2.

Keegan: The race to say yes to Kansas

On Wall Street of late, the rich have gotten poorer. Not the case in college basketball, where defending national champion Kansas University is involved strictly with McDonald's All-American-caliber recruits, even having to say no thanks to some.

Longhorns jump to No. 1; KU still No. 16

Texas rode its resounding Red River Rivalry upset right to No. 1. The Longhorns leapfrogged No. 2 Alabama on Sunday and sit atop the Associated Press Top 25 in the regular season for the first time in 24 years after beating Oklahoma, 45-35.

Cornhuskers on verge of worst start in conference since 1945

Nebraska enters this week's game at Iowa State hoping to avoid a third straight loss to open conference play - something that hasn't happened to the Cornhuskers in 63 years. George "Potsy" Clark's 1945 team started the Big Six with losses to Oklahoma, Iowa State and Missouri.

Orton commits to UK

Daniel Orton, a 6-foot-11 senior center from Oklahoma City's McGuinness High, orally committed to play basketball at the University of Kentucky on Sunday at a press conference in the lobby of the Hyatt Regency in downtown Lexington.

Jayhawks crow over run game

While the flashes of run-game command displayed during its game against Iowa State two weeks ago could have been written off as chance, the Kansas University football team's encore performance in Saturday's 30-14 victory over visiting Colorado went a bit farther in qualifying the rushing attack as legit.

UGA loses another tackle

Georgia must again find a new starting left tackle. Vince Vance will need reconstructive knee surgery and will miss the rest of the season, coach Mark Richt said Sunday. The successor to Vance will be the team's fourth first-string left tackle since the preseason.

Bill Self gets a job

On the third night of camp, inside the Lawrence High School gym, Self's coaching future suddenly was cast. "I hurt my knee playing against some Kansas players," Self said. "The doctor who was there at that time told me he thought I tore my cartilage and I would probably require surgery. I stuck around until the end of camp."

Big fun in the Big 12

League season more exciting than ever

Just when the Texas-Missouri game was looking like a Top 5 matchup and possible preview of the Big 12 championship game, along came the Oklahoma State Cowboys to shake things up. Chase Daniel and the No. 11 Tigers still will be troublesome in Austin, Texas, maybe even more so now that they're coming off a loss.

KU, Oklahoma play to 1-all soccer tie

Jessica Bush scored her first goal of the season, and senior goalkeeper Stephanie Baugh made five saves as Kansas University and Oklahoma played to a 1-1 Big 12 Conference soccer draw Sunday afternoon at John Crain Field.

Kansas fails to move up in polls

The Kansas football team, following a 30-14 victory over Colorado on Saturday, stayed in the same place in both the Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today Coaches' polls released Sunday.

Bill Self to sign copies of new book

Bill Self, head coach of Kansas men's basketball, will sign his new book, "Bill Self: At Home in the Phog," from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday at the KU Bookstores, level two of the Kansas Union. The event is free and open to the public.

Special-teams shakeup coming

Mangino miffed over Jayhawks' punt, kick, return woes

Kansas coach Mark Mangino made a promise shortly after his team's 30-14 victory over Colorado on Saturday at Memorial Stadium: The Jayhawks' struggling special teams would be improved. And quickly."I'll get that corrected," a visibly upset Mangino said. "If there's one thing that I do here during my tenure as head coach, I'm going to get these special teams squared away here.

Buffs QB OK with benching

Colorado quarterback Cody Hawkins wasn't nicked up when his dad, Dan, pulled him from the field with almost a full quarter to play Saturday at Memorial Stadium. The hook in the Buffs' 30-14 loss to No. 16-ranked Kansas was performance-related - nothing else.

Vanity plates show LUV4KU

Shannon Murphy rambles around town with a vanity license plate - 5288N08 - that no one else can claim, celebrating Kansas University's national basketball championships in 1952, 1988 and, of course, 2008.The lifelong Jayhawk fan wouldn't mind struggling to come up with a way to squeeze a 2009 onto her seven-digit metal placard of mobility.

Big 12 Roundup: Tech outlasts Huskers in OT

Eric Morris had a one-yard touchdown run in overtime, and Jamar Wall made it stand up for Texas Tech with an interception. Texas Tech (6-0, 2-0 Big 12) left the door open for the Cornhuskers (3-3, 0-2) to win it with a touchdown and extra point when the Red Raiders botched the PAT after Morris' score.

Game balls & Gassers

¢ Jake Sharp, for the second week in a row, showed Kansas does have a running game after all, gaining 118 yards and rushing for three touchdowns.¢ Jake Laptad tackled Colorado quarterback Cody Hawkins for a safety and then made the safety sign, putting his hands together above his head.¢ Kerry Meier limped his way to 94 yards on nine receptions and sprinted away from any injury talk afterward.

'Late Night' nears

Get the latest on the Kansas Jayhawks as the men's basketball team prepares to defend its national championship in "Late Night in the Phog," our special section coming Friday in the Journal-World. The section will preview Friday night's traditional season-opening celebration, an event set to feature both the men's and women's teams.

Keegan: For Jayhawks, training wheels off

Kansas University football coach Mark Mangino's words and actions during and after Saturday's 30-14 victory against Colorado at Memorial Stadium amounted to a father unfastening the training wheels from a bicycle and tossing them in the attic for storage.

Oklahoma State stuns Tigers, 28-23

Chase Daniel's Heisman Trophy stock just plummeted. Missouri's national championship hopes took a tumble, too. And how about those Oklahoma State Cowboys? No. 17 Oklahoma State stopped an offense that had been scoring at will, intercepting Daniel's passes three times in the second half and upsetting the third-ranked Tigers, 28-23, on Saturday night.

Kansas football notebook

Despite another standout performance in a season that - so far - has been filled with them, Kansas University receiver Kerry Meier looked far from healthy in the Jayhawks' 30-14 home victory over Colorado on Saturday.

Never a dull moment

Sharp knifes through Buffs

For five weeks of its 2008 season, Kansas University's football team had worked tirelessly to assimilate running back Jake Sharp into the run-game scheme that had served the team so well over the past few years, a north-south, fairly straight-forward attack.

Top 25 Roundup: Gators, Tebow tear apart No. 4 LSU, 51-21

Tebow threw two touchdown passes to Percy Harvin and ran for a score, and the Gators thumped defending national champion LSU, 51-21, Saturday night in The Swamp.The fourth-ranked Tigers (4-1, 2-1 Southeastern Conference) had won six consecutive games, 19 in a row at night and 23 straight in regulation.

KU-Oklahoma game to be played at 2:30 p.m.

The Kansas-Oklahoma football game scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 18, will be played at 2:30 p.m., KU officials announced Saturday. The game also will be televised on ABC.

Coach's plea to end chant ignored

Kansas University students love their football coach, but that doesn't mean they listen to him any better than they listen to their parents.

No. 5 Longhorns upset No. 1 Sooners 45-35

Mack Brown can finally say he's done something in the Texas-Oklahoma game that Bob Stoops hasn't - pulled off an upset. And it's a big one. Brown's Longhorns grabbed some second-half momentum by foiling a fake punt Saturday, then Colt McCoy and the defense built on it, carrying No. 5 Texas to a 45-35 victory over No. 1 Oklahoma.

Sharp's 3 TD runs lead KU to 30-14 victory over Colorado

Final, KU wins 30-14. Jake Sharp rushed 31 times for 119 yards and three touchdowns, leading Kansas to a 30-14 victory over Colorado on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Simien reviving career in Spain

Wayne Simien, who moved into a new house in Lawrence last spring with wife Katherine, and daughter Selah, has packed up the family's belongings. Today all three are headed to Spain.

Rush pours in 18 points

It took former Kansas University standout Brandon Rush mere hours to ease any worries the Indiana Pacers might have had about trading Shawne Williams. The Pacers sent Williams to Dallas on Friday for Eddie Jones, cash and draft picks.

A new deep threat

Meier becoming long-distance target, too

Without a doubt, Kansas University junior Todd Reesing has changed the complexion of the football program. Before the 5-foot-11, 200-pound quarterback arrived in Lawrence, the Jayhawks were a lesson in mediocrity, a team that - in a good year - could hope to make a middle-of-the road bowl.

LSU, Florida battle in SEC showdown

Everywhere the Florida Gators turned this week, they saw replays of last year's demoralizing loss at LSU. UF coach Urban Meyer showed the 28-24 loss on a continuous loop in the football facility, hoping it would motivate his team heading into tonight's rematch in The Swamp - the first meeting between the two previous national champions since Miami and Notre Dame in 1990.

Texas, Oklahoma jacked for Red River Rivalry

If the Texas-Oklahoma series was only about the sights, sounds and smells of their annual matchup at the Cotton Bowl, it would still be a lot of fun. It's special, though, because on top of a great environment there's a long tradition of high-caliber, high-stakes games - and today's should be a doozy.

Kaun scores two in loss

Former Kansas University center Sasha Kaun scored two points and grabbed three rebounds in CSKA Moscow's 94-66 exhibition loss to the Orlando Magic on Friday night. Kaun, who played high school ball at Florida Air Academy in Melbourne, Fla., played 15 minutes. He hit his only shot attempt.

OSU trips Kansas, 3-2

Oklahoma State edged Kansas University, 3-2, in women's soccer on Friday. Estelle Johnson and Missy Geha scored for the Jayhawks. Goalkeeper Julie Hanley tied a career high with nine saves. KU fell to 8-5 overall and 2-3 in the Big 12. OSU is 11-1-1, 2-1-1.

Younger Hawkins off to slow start

Colorado University quarterback Cody Hawkins threw for 2,693 yards and 19 touchdowns last season. He led the Buffaloes over third-ranked Oklahoma, Texas Tech and Nebraska and a berth in the Independence Bowl.But when Colorado coach Dan Hawkins - who also happens to be Cody's dad - earned a contract extension earlier this week that will keep him in Boulder through 2012, the quarterback didn't get so much as a bump in allowance.

KU lands 2009 recruit Robinson

Brewster Academy senior cites feeling of 'home' as primary factor

Thomas Robinson was sold on Kansas University after attending the Jayhawks' national championship ring ceremony Sept. 19 in Allen Fieldhouse. "To meet all the pros who came back for that ceremony was big. I felt it was home for me, seeing all the special players there," Robinson, a 6-foot-8, 220-pound senior forward from Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, N.H., said Friday morning.

Cyclones mystified by road struggles

Iowa State is getting ready to go on the road, and the Cyclones know what that means. Everyone is reminding them again of just how long it's been since they've won a road game. The Cyclones have lost 13 straight away from home heading into tonight's Big 12 game at Baylor. Only one other major-college team in the country has a longer stretch of futility on the road; UAB has lost 17 straight away games.

KU vs. CU: Head to head

Following last week's game against Iowa State, Kansas might have stumbled upon a primary ball-carrier. Jake Sharp's 186 yards of total offense was the most from a Kansas running back this season and makes him a favorite to earn the bulk of the carries against Colorado.

ISU backup QB leaves

Iowa State backup quarterback Phillip Bates has quit the team, less than a week after not playing in a loss to No. 16 Kansas. His father, Phillip Bates Sr., told the Cyclones on Thursday that his son, a sophomore from Omaha, Neb., was leaving the team effective immediately.

A&M's focus: Stop KSU's Freeman

Mike Sherman coached Brett Favre and faced Peyton Manning in the NFL. So he knows what to expect when his Texas A&M squad plays Josh Freeman and Kansas State today.The Wildcats (3-2, 0-1 Big 12) are averaging 43.2 points and Freeman has averaged 255 passing yards per game. Those numbers would lead most conferences, but in the high-scoring Big 12, they're merely in the middle of the pack.

OSU seeking respect

Cowboys relish 'opportunity' of MU

Already this season, No. 17 Oklahoma State has been able to celebrate its return to the Top 25 and its first undefeated start since Les Miles left for LSU. The opportunity to take the next step and topple a highly ranked team presents itself today when the Cowboys (5-0, 1-0 Big 12) go to No. 3 Missouri.

Huskers leave past behind

Nebraska quarterback Joe Ganz remembers where he was the last time the Huskers went to Texas Tech and endured the worst drubbing in school history. He was a redshirt visiting friends at another university, and watched on TV in disbelief as six Nebraska turnovers in the second half fueled Tech's 70-10 victory four years ago.

Saturday's KU game will test effort to ban obscene chant

Kansas University students aren't so sure how well head football coach Mark Mangino's plea for fans to forgo a foul phrase will fare. For many, there's little optimism the controversial chant will go away.

Robinson orally commits to KU

Thomas Robinson has orally committed to play basketball at Kansas University.

Loss to Tech in 2004 a nonissue for Huskers

For Nebraska fans, the Cornhuskers' return to Lubbock this week has stirred bad memories of that 70-10 beating at Texas Tech four years ago. The players themselves have shorter memories. They're seeking atonement for last week's 52-17 loss to Missouri that ranked as the program's worst at home since 1955.

KU picked for ninth in Big 12 women poll

Kansas University has been predicted to finish ninth in Big 12 Conference women's basketball standings in a vote of the league's head coaches. The Jayhawks will return the bulk of the roster from a team that finished 4-12 in the Big 12 last year and tied for 10th place with Texas Tech.

Wake Forest survives Clemson

Riley Skinner and Wake Forest have played two ACC games and managed just one touchdown. It came just in time to help the Demon Deacons beat another Bowden. Skinner threw a 7-yard scoring pass to D.J. Boldin with 5:28 left to lead No. 21 Wake Forest past Clemson, 12-7, on Thursday night.

Mayer: Football now too brutal

People go to auto races to see collisions, to hockey matches to watch the fights and, ideally, to football games to see speed, grace and finesse along with brutal, brain-rattling contact. Some gridiron tutors operate on the "kill-and-maim" philosophy. Most of them don't encourage such an approach, realizing that it has a way of inviting retaliation.

Ex-KU player Pollard not ready to retire from NBA

Scot Pollard is not ready to announce his retirement from the National Basketball Association. "Not officially, no way," said the 33-year-old former Kansas University power forward, who for the first time in 12 years is not under contract with an NBA team.

Texas' Brown puts old losing streak to OU in past

For 40 minutes, Texas coach Mack Brown looked relaxed, cracked a few jokes and talked about his players, his wife and whether he's ever had a corny dog at the State Fair of Texas. For the record, he hasn't. The only corn dog he's had was back in his hometown of Cookeville, Tenn.

Report: Arthur's grades investigated

The Dallas Independent School District has re-opened an investigation into alleged improper grade changes for former Kansas University basketball player Darrell Arthur at South Oak Cliff High School, Dallas TV station WFAA reported Thursday.

Top-ranked Sooners their own worst critics

So what about the No. 1 ranking and the rest of Oklahoma's impressive numbers from this season? The Sooners still think they can perform better. Better than the 49.6 points they're averaging. Better than the fourth-best passing offense, the fifth-best overall offense and the 11th-best total defense.

Forward commits to Texas

Jordan Hamilton, a 6-foot-7, 210-pound senior forward from Los Angeles Dominguez High, on Thursday orally committed to play basketball at the University of Texas. He chose UT after considering California, Connecticut, Kansas, USC and Syracuse.

Arthur investigation re-opened by school district

The Dallas Independent School District has re-opened an investigation into alleged improper grade changes for former Kansas University basketball player Darrell Arthur at South Oak Cliff High School, Dallas TV station WFAA reported Thursday.

KU football gears up for Colorado

The Kansas football team is less than 48 hours away from playing its first conference home game of the year. On Saturday, the Jayhawks will welcome Colorado to Memorial Stadium.

Sporting News ranks Lawrence at No. 15 for best sports city

It's the year in sports that keeps on giving.

KU sends students video of Mangino asking for end to explicit chant

Kansas University football coach Mark Mangino asked students to stop an obscene football chant today.

McCoy all-around threat

Texas quarterback has matured from skinny, small-town kid

Colt McCoy arrived on the Texas campus in 2005 as a skinny, small-town country kid. He weighed about 180 pounds and looked even smaller than that. Slender shoulders, skinny arms and legs and a wide-eyed expression made some teammates wonder whether he could play.

Auburn fires offensive coordinator

Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville fired offensive coordinator Tony Franklin on Wednesday just seven games into his tenure, pulling the plug after the Tigers' rocky transition to his spread offense. The 20th-ranked Tigers have struggled offensively all season after entering as the favorites to win the Southeastern Conference Western Division.

MU Heisman campaign slides forward

In the tradition of the Ryan Leaf leaf, Joey Harrington's Times Square billboard and the DeAngelo Williams mobile, Missouri has found a unique way to remind Heisman Trophy voters to keep an eye out for Chase Daniel.

Fun is gone from college football

When did it happen, Gator fans? When did it reach a point where you became so persnickety and such perfectionists that you sucked the joy out of winning football games like a boa constrictor squeezes the life out of small rodents?

KU's volleyball comeback falls short

Kansas University's volleyball team could save itself a whole lot of heartache by winning the first set against opponents. Winning the second set wouldn't hurt, either.

Keegan: Rebel returns to town

George Kimball, the face of Lawrence's anti-establishment movement in the '60s, returns to town today for a busy weekend. The real purpose of his trip? "It's just an excuse to see the Colorado game," Kimball said.

Lawrence listed No. 15

The Sporting News has ranked Lawrence the 15th best sports city in the United States. The complete list will be in the Oct. 13 issue of the Sporting News. Boston is No. 1, followed in the top 15 by Detroit/Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti, Dallas/Fort Worth, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix/Tempe, Denver/Boulder, Los Angeles, Chicago/Evanston, Washington, Pittsburgh, Houston, Tampa/St. Petersburg, Nashville and Lawrence.

Hatch showing progress on field

Jeremiah Hatch smelled a rat. As an incoming freshman at Dallas' Carter High hoping to make the school's basketball team that winter, Hatch was approached one day by the Carter basketball coach, who offered him this ultimatum: In order to play for the basketball team, Hatch first would have to sweat his way through a season of football - a sport he'd never before played.

KU hoops adds Hinson to staff

Former Missouri State head basketball coach Barry Hinson will join Kansas University's staff as an administrative assistant, KU coach Bill Self confirmed Wednesday. Hinson, who was fired last March after nine seasons at the Springfield, Mo., school, was an assistant under Self for three years at Oral Roberts.

OU's Bradford better in no-huddle

Here's the question: Does Oklahoma's no-huddle offense make Sam Bradford better, or is the Sooners' offense so great because he's the guy who makes it go? It's about as close to a riddle that can't be solved, but one thing's for certain: The top-ranked Sooners (5-0, 1-0) are rolling with Bradford at the controls.

Tar Heels' Ginyard injured

North Carolina's pursuit of a return to the Final Four is off to a bumpy start. Senior Marcus Ginyard will miss eight weeks after having surgery to repair a stress fracture in his left foot, robbing the Tar Heels of their do-everything swingman who started every game last season.

Youth movement

Pritchard stockpiles Blazers with draft picks

"Boy Wonder" is bringing his young, exciting Portland Trail Blazers basketball team to Kansas City's Sprint Center on Friday night. It's a Brandon Roy/Greg Oden/LaMarcus Aldridge-led squad expected to vie for an NBA playoff berth after last year's respectable 41-41 campaign.

Kansas running back steps up

For almost five games, KU running back Jake Sharp was practically invisible. In a matter of 30 minutes, that all changed for the Jayhawks junior.

Mangino at center of drive to silence obscene chant at KU football games

Kansas University football coach Mark Mangino will ask football fans this week to stop yelling an obscene chant after kickoffs.

Hinson to join KU men's basketball staff

Former Missouri State basketball coach Barry Hinson will join Kansas University's basketball staff as an administrative assistant, KU coach Bill Self confirmed on Wednesday.

Keegan: Is sky really falling?

The defensive line can't put steady heat on the passer. The offensive line has trouble blowing open rushing lanes and protecting the passer. The running game often crawls. The secondary gets torched regularly. The remaining schedule is as tough as any in the nation. The sky is falling. The sky is falling.

Grub for the gridiron: KU fans share tailgating tips, tricks

Tailgating is serious business for Mark Gwaltney. Before each Kansas University home game this season, he has been at his spot by 8 a.m., ready to tailgate. The grill is priority No. 1, and by 9 a.m. the meat - on this particular weekend 20 pounds of pork butt - is over the flames, and Gwaltney and his helpers are chowing down a just-grilled breakfast.

Nebraska coach's confidence intact

Pelini puts loss to Missouri in past

Bo Pelini says his faith in his plan to rebuild Nebraska isn't shaken after a 35-point loss to Missouri. "I know how to get the job done," the first-year head coach said Tuesday. "I know exactly where we want to head and how to get there, and I'm committed to doing it. I'm working day and night to get it done."

Comeback within a comeback

After sitting on bench, linebacker Rivera helped spark rally

Philanthropically speaking, Kansas University senior Mike Rivera is a jack of all trades. In his five years in Lawrence, the Shawnee native and three-year starter on the Jayhawks' football team has served his community in just about every way imaginable. Built houses for Habitat For Humanity. Helped organize Special Olympics bowling outings. Not long ago, he stopped by a classroom of elementary students and read them Dr. Seuss.

Historic powers take center stage in Dallas

The debate may continue for the majority of the season as to who's the best quarterback in the Big 12 Conference, or which team's spread offense packs the most exciting punch. There's little debate, though, when considering the most heated, intense and passionate rivalry in the 12-year history of the conference. Unless Big 12 fans have been waking up on another planet the last 12 years, they know the Texas-Oklahoma Red River Rivalry is historically the most coveted ticket to any game in the conference.

Big 12 notebook

Kansas State should be delighted to face punchless Texas A&M on Saturday. After giving up a total of just 16 points in its first two games (North Texas and Montana State), the Wildcats' defense has been riddled for 133 points in the last three. K-State ranks No. 94 nationally in scoring defense.

Late Night taking food donations

Admission is free to next week's Late Night in the Phog basketball event, but everyone attending is asked to bring nonperishable food donations or to donate funds at the door.

Powers, KU golfers seventh in Lubbock

Emily Powers' third top-10 performance of the season led Kansas University's women's golf team to a seventh-place finish at the 14-team McHaney/Morehead Invitational at Rawls Course.

CU coach lands extension

Buffs lock up Hawkins through 2012

Colorado coach Dan Hawkins and the university have agreed to a contract extension that could keep him with the Buffaloes through 2012. Hawkins is 11-19 in his third year at Colorado, and the Buffaloes are 3-2 this season.

Mangino did not yell during halftime

Mark Mangino did not yell - he saved that for Sunday. Instead, at halftime of Saturday's game against Iowa State, the Jayhawks' head coach chose a different method.

KU offense came alive during second half in Aimes

Twenty-eight unanswered points. All in a 20-minute second half span. That run helped the Kansas football team erase a 20-0 halftime deficit on Saturday in Aimes, Iowa on the way to a 35-33 win.

Self not surprised with preseason poll

It's Oklahoma No. 1, Texas No. 2 and Kansas and Baylor tying for No. 3 in the Big 12 men's basketball preseason coaches poll released Tuesday.

Memphis lands pledge

The University of Memphis on Monday received an oral commitment from Darnell Dodson, a 6-6 forward from Miami-Dade Junior College, Zagsblog.net reports.

Kansas' Powers in 12th at tourney

Kansas University junior Emily Powers shot a 7-over-par 153 on Monday, good for 12th place after two rounds of the McHaney/Morehead Invitational.

Woodling: KU-ISU in '92 a doozy

Seldom one to keep his emotions in check, Glen Mason blurted: "I still don't believe it. It was the damnedest thing I've ever seen." Mason was Kansas University's football coach the day the Jayhawks staged the greatest comeback in school history. The date was Oct. 17, 1992. The place was Iowa State. Saturday, as you know, KU rallied from a 20-point halftime deficit to shock the Cyclones, but that turnaround bore little resemblance to that October '92 stunner.

Houston prep commits to KU women's hoops

Carolyn Davis, a 6-foot-3 senior forward out of Houston's George Bush High, has orally committed to play basketball at Kansas University.

Collins gets free pass - for tonsillectomy

Sherron Collins has been granted a leave of absence from Kansas University basketball Boot Camp today through Friday.

Sooners on mend

Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops expects No. 1 Oklahoma to be at full strength Saturday when the Sooners face fifth-ranked Texas in the annual Red River Rivalry game.

Briscoe no 'T.O.'

KU sophomore receiver quietly does his job

Don't expect Kansas University receiver Dezmon Briscoe to change his name to Dezmon Ocho Cero, Spanish for "8-0." Although Briscoe acknowledges being a fan of the Cincinnati Bengals receiver formerly known as Chad Johnson, he's not in any hurry to emulate Mr. Ocho Cinco. Same goes for Briscoe's thoughts about Terrell Owens. Briscoe, a 6-foot-3, 200-pound KU sophomore, enjoys watching both NFL superstars play the position, but does not see any sit-ups in the driveway or Sharpies in the sock in his future.

KU soccer squad in the middle of the Big 12 standings

Two weekends into the Big 12 soccer schedule and the Kansas Jayhawks find themselves in the middle of the pack.

KU defense rebounds from nightmarish first half

The first half was an absolute nightmare for the Kansas defense. On Saturday, the Jayhawks couldn't stop Iowa State in the game's opening 30 minutes.

KU-Oklahoma game to be televised on ABC

The Kansas-Oklahoma game scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 18, will be televised by ABC, the Big 12 announced Monday.

Pelini to contact Pinkel

Nebraska coach Bo Pelini said he would try to contact Missouri coach Gary Pinkel to discuss Chase Daniel's comments about the Cornhuskers being a dirty team.

CU goalie makes life tough for KU, 2-0

If Kansas University's soccer team never sees Colorado goalkeeper Kirstin Radlinski again, it will be too soon. Radlinski stonewalled the Jayhawks with an array of acrobatic dips and dives for 90 minutes Sunday afternoon, as Colorado downed Kansas, 2-0, at Jayhawk Soccer Complex. In the process, she accomplished something no other goalie had managed to do in the Jayhawks' first 11 games - record a shutout.

Keegan: Kansas defense passive

The Kansas University football team's offense was its bold, brash self in the second half of a 35-33 comeback victory Saturday at Iowa State. The Jayhawks went for it on fourth down and with the lead kept throwing the ball, instead of milking the clock. "We have to," coach Mark Mangino said. "It's part of the makeup of our football team. We tell the kids all the time we need to be aggressive. ... You can't get in your play calling and say, 'We're going to sit on this.'

Prep hoops forward torn between Memphis, KU

Thomas Robinson, who made official basketball recruiting visits to Kansas University and Memphis two of the past three weekends, now faces the task of choosing between the two schools. "Right now, it is even," Robinson, a 6-foot-8, 210-pound senior power forward from Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, N.H., said Sunday night after completing his trip to Memphis.

No joke: Ball State joins AP Top 25

David Letterman is going to love this: at No. 25 in the AP college football poll, his alma mater, Ball State.

'Backers playing better

Unit combines for 23 stops, sack at ISU

Among the various defensive struggles that have caused Kansas University football fans displeasure this fall - a sub-par pass rush, a struggling and injury-bitten secondary - a great deal of groaning has been targeted at the lack of bite from the team's linebackers, a unit tapped by many preseason college football magazines as one of the best in the land. While the jeers may or may not be warranted, Saturday's performance against Iowa State should, at the least, temporarily put that sentiment on hold.

KU remains at 16 in latest AP poll

Despite defeating Iowa State on Saturday with a 20-point comeback victory, the Kansas Jayhawks remained at No. 16 in the latest AP poll - released Sunday afternoon.

Game balls & Gassers

Who played good and who played bad for the Kansas Jayhawks.

Red Raiders sprint past Wildcats, 58-28

Stuffing No. 7 Texas Tech on fourth-and-inches on its own 29 and moving right in for the game-tying touchdown gave Kansas State hope. It didn't last long.

Meier rises to occasion

When the opportunity presented itself for Kansas University to leave its field-goal team on the sidelines and go for a touchdown instead, Kerry Meier knew his name would be called. And as he usually does, the Jayhawks' most sure-handed football receiver delivered on a challenging fourth-and-seven with Kansas trailing Iowa State on the road in the third quarter. Talk about a crowd silencer.

Top 25 Roundup: Vandy improves to 5-0

Trojans, Gators get back on winning track

Vanderbilt, welcome to the big time. Mackenzi Adams came off the bench and threw for 153 yards and two touchdowns, and Vanderbilt beat Auburn Saturday night to improve to 5-0 for the first time since 1943.

KU women take fourth; men take seventh

Kansas University junior Lauren Bonds' ninth-place finish Saturday at the Cowboy Jamboree led the Kansas women's cross country team to a fourth-place finish in the 27-team field.

Keegan: Sharp rejoins playmaker ranks

Five games into the season, Kansas University's football team pretty much has revealed itself for what it is: slow and not very physical in the trenches, passive in the secondary, extraordinarily gifted, smart and gutsy in the passing game. Marred by a defense that not only bends but breaks and a flawed offensive line, KU's path to victory involves riding two reliable and remarkable superstars, quarterback Todd Reesing and receiver Kerry Meier working in tandem, and a rotation of mystery playmakers taking turns as the third spark.

Dugan Arnett's quick hits

Running back Jake Sharp caught a 67-yard pass from quarterback Todd Reesing that put the Jayhawks on the board for the first time with 12:20 left in the third quarter.

KU vs. ISU notebook

Despite early-season struggles with his team's offensive line, Kansas University coach Mark Mangino said recently that he didn't anticipate changing any of the unit's personnel, including his two red-shirt freshmen tackles, Jeremiah Hatch (right tackle) and Jeff Spikes (left tackle).

KU volleyball tops Texas Tech, 3-1

Three players tallied double-digit kills as the Kansas volleyball team defeated Texas Tech, 3-1 (25-19, 25-17, 25-23, 25-22), to stop a three-match losing streak.

Miraculous recovery

KU overcomes awful first half

On Saturday afternoon, Kansas University's football team played its worst half of the season. Luckily for the Jayhawks, they followed it up with one of their best. Thanks largely to a second-half surge in which it outscored host Iowa State by 22 points, Kansas managed to overcome a 20-point second-half deficit and escape Ames with a 35-33 victory in the third-biggest comeback in school history.

Big 12 Roundup: No. 1 Oklahoma, No. 5 Texas both roll, set up Red River Showdown

Sam Bradford threw for 372 yards with two touchdowns, DeMarco Murray ran for two scores, and four other Sooners got into the end zone in the Big 12 opener for both teams.

ISU bemoans 'debacle'

Second-year Iowa State coach Gene Chizik wasn't in the mood to take any positives Saturday out of Iowa State's 35-33 loss to Kansas University at Jack Trice Stadium. Not after the Cyclones blew a 20-point lead in the second half. "No excuse," Chizik said. "We have to learn to slam the door when we've got a chance like that."

FINAL: Kansas escapes, 35-33

FINAL: Kansas 35, Iowa State 33. Todd Reesing threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns, Kerry Meier caught seven passes for 125 yards and two scores, and No. 16 Kansas held off Iowa State, 35-33, on Saturday in Ames, Iowa. Jake Sharp also added 185 yards of offense for the Jayhawks, who improved to 4-1 on the season.

Cyclones battered by KU recently

Recently, the Iowa State football team's annual meeting with Kansas University hasn't gone too terribly well. In the teams' games since 2006, Kansas has saved its most dominant performances for the Cyclones, outscoring Iowa State by a combined score of 86-17, including a 45-7 thrashing last season at Memorial Stadium that dropped Iowa State to 3-9 for the year while propelling Kansas to a No. 2 national ranking.

Florida's Donovan signs

Florida basketball coach Billy Donovan finally signed the six-year contract extension he agreed to in June 2007 after deciding against a jump to the NBA.

Pinkel warns Tigers to be wary of NU

Missouri coach Gary Pinkel knows how the mighty have fallen already this season. And as the fourth-ranked Tigers prepare for today's Big 12 opener at Nebraska, he's imploring his team to be prepared.

Pass 'D' under gun

Harper's return should shore up secondary

Two games into the 2008 season, it was hard to imagine the Kansas University pass defense playing any better. Following victories over Florida International and Louisiana Tech, the Jayhawks had held FIU to a paltry 73 passing yards, never given up more than 119 passing yards in a game and had yet to yield a touchdown through the air - or ground, for that matter.

Thanks to bye week, three Rams turn attention to NU

So what do St. Louis Rams players do during their bye week? Watch more football, of course.

KU vs. ISU: Head to head

No more Florida International and Sam Houston State. From here on out, Kansas University will be forced to run against defenses with a bit more bite. Angus Quigely will start this week for the second straight game. Quigley leads Kansas in both rushing yards and yards per carry, although coach Mark Mangino said this week fans likely will see plenty of Jocques Crawford and Jake Sharp as well.

A different 'spread'

OSU boasts top two runners in Big 12

Think spread offense, and what comes to mind? "I would say that the pass is probably more prominent," Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy said Monday of the current vogue offense in college football.

Jayhawks survive first week of Self's Boot Camp

After crawling out of bed between 5 and 5:30 a.m. for five straight days, Kansas University's basketball players were looking forward to sleeping in today and Sunday. "I'm very happy to have the weekend off. My body is hurting right now," KU newcomer Tyrone Appleton said Friday.

Commentary: Coaching legends are getting scarce

A survey of the college football landscape reveals the presence of only two larger-than-life coaching icons. Fitting that mold are the famously moldy Joe Paterno and Bobby Bowden, a couple of household names starring in college football's version of the "Bucket List."

BYU extends winning streak

While No. 8 BYU's string of shutouts is over, the nation's longest winning streak continues.

Kansas blanks Tech

Julie Hanley should've considered bringing a book to keep her entertained while hanging out in the goalie box on Friday. Kansas University's starting goalkeeper certainly didn't have many shots to read on the field.

Ex-Husker sentenced

Former Nebraska football standout Lawrence Phillips was sentenced Friday to 10 years in prison, two years after he was convicted of assault with a deadly weapon. Phillips was convicted in 2006 of seven counts of assault with a deadly weapon.

Pelini bemoans 'bonehead' mistakes

Here comes No. 4 Missouri, with its 54-point-per-game offense and Heisman hopeful quarterback Chase Daniel. Nebraska coach Bo Pelini seems plenty worried.

Jayhawks ready for Iowa State

Saturday morning, the Kansas Jayhawks open the Big 12 portion of their schedule in Aimes against Iowa State.

Unveiling title banner to highlight Late Night

Allen Fieldhouse doors will swing open at 5:30 p.m., Oct. 17 for Kansas University's season-opening Late Night in the Phog. The program, which will include men's and women's basketball skits and scrimmages, will start at 6:45 p.m., and conclude around 9:30 p.m., KU associate athletic director Jim Marchiony said Thursday. It will be televised by Metro Sports with portions shown by ESPNU.

Texas, Kansas State football games sold out

Kansas Athletics, Inc. on Thursday announced KU home football games against Texas and Kansas State are sold out, while only a limited number of tickets remained for games against Colorado and Texas Tech.

Pitt upsets South Florida

LeSean McCoy ran for two touchdowns and Bill Stull threw for another as Pittsburgh upset No. 10 South Florida, 26-21, on Thursday night.

No. 15 Utah rallies against Oregon State

Louie Sakoda kicked a 37-yard field goal as time expired to cap an 11-point rally over the final 89 seconds and give No. 15 Utah a 31-28 victory over Oregon State on Thursday night.

KU soccer squad preparing for Texas Tech

The Kansas soccer team preparing for Friday's Big 12 home opener with Texas Tech.

Kansas secondary looking to improve against Iowa State

The Kansas football team is only a day away from it's first Big 12 test of the season. KU completed it's non-con schedule ranked 76th nationally in pass defense. Following a 13-day break, however, members of the Kansas secondary won't accept another sub-par performance.

Jayhawks ready for conference play after bye week

On Saturday, the Jayhawks take on Iowa State in Aimes. For the 'Hawks, it's their first contest in two weeks. Last Saturday, Mark Mangino's team worked on things during the bye week.

Jayhawks drop five-set heartbreaker to KSU

The Kansas University volleyball team scratched and clawed its way closer to earning a victory against a ranked Big 12 opponent Wednesday night at Horejsi Center. But getting closer didn't ease the pain of a third straight conference loss.

Boise rips Louisiana Tech

No. 17 Broncos roll to 38-3 victory

Kellen Moore threw for two touchdowns, and D.J. Harper rushed for two more to lead No. 17 Boise State to a 38-3 victory over Louisiana Tech on Wednesday night.

Mayer: KU duo must earn it

A couple ex-Kansas basketball players who went astray got off reasonably cheap - if you're rich enough to consider a $20,000 fine cheap. They may think they've escaped the woodshed of public displeasure since they got no NBA suspensions. But the jury is still out for Darrell Arthur and Mario Chalmers with members of a very special fraternity of which they're a part: Former players who are justifiably covetous of the prestige of the program and their school.

No room to hide

Holt becoming difference-maker on 'D'

It's one of the more obscure statistics in football - fumbles caused per game. So it's only fitting that one of Kansas University's stealth starters ranks second among all Football Bowl Subdivision players in knocking the football loose. His name is James Holt, a senior linebacker from Altus, Okla. And his game is playing as hard as he can on every play, no matter what the situation.

Rivera a Draddy semifinalist

Kansas University senior linebacker Mike Rivera was named as one of 57 Football Bowl Subdivision semifinalists for the 2008 Draddy Trophy, as announced Wednesday by the by the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame.

Dugan Arnett's KU football notebook

¢ Meier keeps eye on playing in NFL¢ Jayhawks set for first morning start¢ Special teams return woes don't worry Mangino

Disability doesn't slow KU soccer standout

Imagine a soccer game with no starting lineup introductions, no national anthems and no whistles. For Kansas red shirt freshman Emily Cressy, that's the norm. However, just because Cressy is deaf, that doesn't mean she allows it to be an obstacle on the pitch. In fact, she left her home in Ventura, California and is excelling as a Kansas Jayhawk. Andrew Baker has more...

KU opens Big 12 play on the road...again

The Kansas football team opens it's Big 12 schedule on the road for the fourth consecutive season. On Saturday, Mark Mangino's team will be in Aimes for a battle with the Iowa State Cyclones.

Chuck Woodling's Big 12 notebook

One national writer dubbed Oklahoma's Sam Bradford and Manuel Johnson as "arguably the nation's most electrifying pass-catch duo" after Bradford threw for a personal-best 411 yards and Johnson produced a school-record 206 yards receiving with three touchdowns in the Sooners' 35-10 victory over TCU.

Dugan Arnett's KU football notebook

Kansas University's football team learned injured cornerback Kendrick Harper likely will be in the lineup for the Jayhawks' 11:30 a.m. matchup with Iowa State Saturday in Ames, Iowa. Harper, who hasn't played since leaving the Jayhawks' victory over Louisiana Tech following a head-first collision, has been practicing at full-speed since last week and likely will provide a welcome addition to the team's secondary unit, which has struggled in the team's past two games.

Enjoy it now, Big 12

League flying high, but cannibalism will strike soon

The Big 12 should suspend the season temporarily and take a giant group photo, because there may never be a week like this again. The conference has the nation's top-ranked team, Oklahoma, four schools ranked in the top seven, six teams ranked in the top 25 and nine quarterbacks ranked in the top 20 of this week's NCAA pass-efficiency statistics.

The coachable coach

Ex-KU running back McAnderson sharing his knowledge

High school football practice is creeping toward the finish line, and the rookie assistant coach is gathering up one, two, three, four footballs and carrying them off the field because that is what rookie assistant coaches do. They start at the bottom.

Keegan: Quigley taking it all in

Just about every week, Kansas University running back Angus Quigley's coach tells reporters the key to him becoming a better running back is learning to run with his pads lower. It doesn't sound complicated. Why not just do it?

Powers ties for 6th; KU women's golf 5th

Emily Powers's season-low 221 helped lead Kansas University's women's golf team to a fifth-place finish Tuesday at the Johnie Imes Invitational.Powers tied for sixth overall.

Recruit to visit Memphis

Thomas Robinson, a 6-foot-8, 210-pound high school senior power forward from Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, N.H., will take his second of three official campus visits this weekend. Robinson, who attended KU's national championship ring banquet on Sept. 19, will travel to the University of Memphis with fellow KU target Xavier Henry. Robinson is slated to visit Southern California on Oct. 17-18.

Giroux takes 9th; KU men's golf 7th

Blake Giroux shot a final-round 73 to turn in the first top-10 finish of his Kansas University golf career, and the Jayhawks placed seventh Tuesday at the Cardinal Intercollegiate at the Cardinal Club. Giroux shot 69-68-73-210 to tie for ninth.

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