Stories for September 2014

KU men’s golf moves up

Chase Hanna is tied for fifth and Kansas University men’s golf teammate Conner Peck is alone in ninth after two rounds of the Badger Invitational on Monday at the University Ridge Golf Course.

KU hoops notebook: Morris twins still preach ‘FOE’

Marcus and Markieff Morris continue to live by the motto they preached at Kansas University: “Family Over Everything.” By Gary Bedore

Column: QB play now Bowen’s problem

Now Clint Bowen is responsible for the entire team, which includes an offense that scored a combined three points in losses to Duke and Texas, an offense triggered by a relative newcomer. What are Bowen’s plans for injecting life into an offense that hasn’t gotten off the ground for four-plus seasons? By Tom Keegan

Radio gig caps Bowen’s wild first day

Friends, fans, family and former players packed the Salty Iguana Mexican Restaurant on Monday night for interim Kansas University football coach Clint Bowen’s first appearance on the weekly “Hawk Talk” radio show with Bob Davis. By Matt Tait

Lifetime around KU football eases Bowen's transition to interim coach

The sign on the podium he proudly stood behind read “Kansas Jayhawk Football Head Coach Clint Bowen.” The word “interim” was nowhere to be found. And, really, it didn’t need to be there anyway. For the next nine weeks — eight games and a bye — Bowen is the Kansas University football coach. By Matt Tait

Kickoff for KU vs. Oklahoma State set for 3 p.m., Oct. 11

Bowen's home debut to air on FOX Sports 1

The mid-afternoon kickoff trend will continue at least one more Saturday for Kansas University football.

Phoenix Suns sign Morris twins to 4-year extensions

The Phoenix Suns have signed twin forwards Markieff and Marcus Morris to four-year contract extensions after both had career years in 2013-14.

KU men’s golf in fourth place

Junior Connor Peck shot a 1-under 71 to pace Kansas University to a fourth-place start to the Badger Men’s Golf Invitational on Sunday at the University Ridge Golf Course.

Kansas soccer blanks TCU

Kansas University scored twice in the first 14 minutes, then held on for a 2-0 Big 12 soccer victory over Texas Christian on Sunday.

For Graham, Boot Camp brutal

Bill Self’s two-week Kansas University basketball Boot Camp proved to be as difficult as advertised, freshman point guard Devonté Graham said Friday.

Column: Bowen brings needed passion

Having a poor shot is better than no shot at all, and Clint Bowen has a shot at winning his dream job, minus the interim tag. His eight-game job interview begins Saturday in Morgantown, West Virginia, where as is almost always the case in Big 12 play, KU will come in as a double-digit underdog. By Tom Keegan

Zenger: Program had lost support at all levels

KU athletic director sheds light on decision to fire KU football coach Charlie Weis

Kansas University athletic director Sheahon Zenger spoke with the Journal-World on Sunday afternoon and shed some light on his decision to fire KU football coach Charlie Weis four games into his third season with the program. By Matt Tait

Speculation about Weis' future quietly took toll on Jayhawks

Anyone who thinks that the uncertainty surrounding former Kansas University football coach Charlie Weis' future with the program had no impact on the players themselves during the past couple of weeks, would be wise to pay attention to the recent actions of senior cornerback JaCorey Shepherd. By Matt Tait

Charlie Weis out as Kansas University football coach

The Journal-World has learned that Charlie Weis was dismissed as the Kansas University football coach early Sunday morning after posting a 6-22 record in two-plus seasons in charge of the Jayhawks. KU confirmed the news in a release sent out shortly after 9 a.m. Sunday morning. By Matt Tait

’Horns juiced over shutout

A reporter from the state of Texas — who is used to covering games with more than 90,000 fans in the stands of University of Texas Memorial Stadium — asked coach Charlie Strong how his Longhorns were able to “create energy and enthusiasm” with the atmosphere “dead” on Saturday at Kansas University’s own Memorial Stadium. By Gary Bedore

Self hopes camp made Jayhawks tougher

Bill Self has learned that two weeks of Kansas Basketball Boot Camp is better than one.

KU volleyball falls to Sooners

Oklahoma rallied from a two-set deficit to defeat Kansas University in Big 12 volleyball Saturday night, 19-25, 20-25, 25-19, 25-23, 15-9.

Game balls and gassers: KU vs. Texas

Ben Heeney had 10 tackles, including 1.5 for losses and recovered a fumble.

Column: Can Cozart continue as KU's QB?

The question will hang in the air all week, which was about how long that failed third-quarter fade pass in the end zone felt like it floated. And the question is this: Is it time? By Tom Keegan

Notebook: Mann provides rare bright spot for KU

There were not a lot of bright spots for the Kansas University offense during Saturday's 23-0 loss to Texas at Memorial Stadium. But the performance put forth by junior running back De'Andre Mann certainly qualified as one of them. By Matt Tait

New look, same old feeling

Jayhawks fail to score in new threads vs. UT

Yeah, the uniforms worn by Kansas on Saturday in front of 36,904 at Memorial Stadium were the modern day crimson chrome uniforms and not the classic reds worn by the Kansas University football team in the glory days of yesteryear. But red is red, a loss is a loss and the 23-0 blow — to the mind, body and soul — delivered by Texas on Saturday had an all-too-familiar ring to it. By Matt Tait

Kansas soccer shuts out Bears

Liana Salazar headed in her eighth goal of the season, and Kaitlyn Stroud made it hold up as Kansas University blanked Baylor, 1-0, in the Big 12 soccer opener for both teams.

KU basketball survives pool, Program

By no means an expert swimmer, 6-foot-8 1/2, 240-pound Kansas University basketball freshman Cliff Alexander was told to tread water with his teammates early Friday morning in the 12-foot deep end of Robinson Pool. By Gary Bedore

Column: Nazis, gators, ’Horns, oh my

Nazi Germany invaded Poland on Sept. 1, 1939, to start World War II, a more recent event than Kansas University’s last football victory against Texas. By Tom Keegan

GAMEDAY BREAKDOWN: A look at Texas vs. Kansas

A breakdown of Saturday's Kansas-Texas Big 12 football game. By Matt Tait

You can call him ‘Svi,’ or ‘Mick,’ or …

Kansas University coach Bill Self likes to address freshman guard Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk by the nickname of “Svi” — which rhymes with ski. Or you can call him 'Mick.' By Gary Bedore

Texas red-letter game for Kansas’ Texans

The story’s the same just about every year but always seems to take on a slightly different feel because of the individual stories that accompany the general narrative. By Matt Tait

Camp over; ‘The Program’ to test Jayhawks

Bill Self’s 2014 Basketball Boot Camp is over. ... sort of. Self’s 16 Kansas University players successfully completed a series of timed sprints and other drills from 6 to 7 a.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, with the 12th-year coach stating “the guys did great in making their times. I was very impressed with all of them.”

Column: Harwell’s maturity evident in attitude

Nick Harwell’s handling of the invisible-man treatment from the quarterback he protects in the way a big brother does a struggling kid brother defines the senior receiver as the most mature man on the Kansas University football team.

Jayhawks must find way to solve Longhorns’ defense

When Kansas University quarterback Montell Cozart is asked to recall the toughest defense he has faced during his limited time playing quarterback, his mind goes to the one place he can draw the most experience.

Late Night plans set

Kansas University’s 30th-annual Late Night in the Phog will run from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Friday Oct. 10, in Allen Fieldhouse, KU officials announced Tuesday.

Column: Don’t sell Texas short

During the latest installment of his always entertaining Tuesday pressers, Kansas University football coach Charlie Weis tried to put himself in the shoes of Texas football players watching film of KU’s games against Southeast Missouri State and Duke.

At 2-1, Jayhawks boast better mark than Longhorns

For just the second time in the 13-game series history between the Kansas University and Texas football programs, it’s the Jayhawks (2-1) who take a better record into their match-up with the Longhorns.

Kansas' Rigdon honored

Kansas University freshman outside hitter Madison Rigdon was named the Big 12’s Offensive Volleyball Player of the Week on Monday.

KU women’s golf in fourth place

Kansas University’s women’s golf team dropped a spot to a tie for fourth after two rounds of the Lady Paladin Invitational on Monday at the Furman University Golf Course.

Perry Ellis ‘honored’ by preseason attention

Now with expectations high, but not out of this world, for newcomers Kelly Oubre Jr. and Cliff Alexander, a junior — Perry Ellis — is receiving his share of preseason publicity. By Gary Bedore

Column: Odds against college parity

I fear college football’s money potential could lead to a ratings-driven parity system. Although that would benefit Kansas, I’m not in favor of it. By Tom Keegan

’Horn warning: Weis, Jayhawks wary of Texas

The burnt orange on their uniforms and years of success give the Texas Longhorns all they need to catch any opponent’s attention. By Matt Tait

KU-WVU kickoff set for 3 p.m. Oct. 4

The Big 12 Conference announced Monday morning that KU's Oct. 4 kickoff at West Virginia was slated for 3 p.m. The game will be broadcast on Fox Sports Net.

Sophomore Sakdee in first; KU women’s golf third at Paladin

Kansas University sophomore Pornvipa Sakdee shot a career-low 68 to take the individual lead, and the Jayhawks are in third in the team race after the first round of the Lady Paladin Invitational on Sunday at the par-72 Furman University Golf Course.

KU soccer rolls over Gaels, 4-0

Sophomore Courtney Dickerson and freshman Hannah Lukinac each scored a goal less than 10 minutes apart in the first half, and juniors Ashley Williams and Liana Salazar added goals in the second half as Kansas University bounced back from its first soccer loss of the season to rout Saint Mary’s, 4-0, on Sunday at the Jayhawk Soccer Complex.

New York prep concludes KU visit

Cheick Diallo, a 6-foot-9, 220-pound senior power forward from Our Savior New American High in Centereach, New York, who is ranked No. 6 in the recruiting Class of 2015 by Rivals.com, completed his weekend campus visit to Kansas University on Sunday. By Gary Bedore

Column: Worst Big 12 team? Still KU

Anybody who picked the Kansas University football team to finish last in the Big 12 has not been given a reason to turn the pencil upside down and put the eraser to work. By Tom Keegan

Looking better: Cozart showing progress for KU

Saturday was tiebreaker time for Kansas University quarterback Montell Cozart, and the sophomore who entered Week Three with just five career starts leaned a little more toward his good performance in the season-opening win over SEMO than the bad one he put up in a Week Two loss at Duke. By Matt Tait

Chippewas bounce back

The first play from scrimmage obviously didn’t go the way Central Michigan’s football team planned. By Gary Bedore

Wait sparks KU volleyball past Arkansas

Kansas University libero Cassie Wait treats her volleyball bumps and bruises as badges of honor.

Game balls and gassers: KU vs. Central Michigan

Linebacker Jake Love had four tackles for loss, totaling 18 yards. Two came on back-to-back plays on screen plays late in the game.

Column: Weis, Jayhawks survive by thriving late

That jolt you felt Saturday was Kansas University football coach Charlie Weis bouncing off the ropes with a timely 24-10 victory against Central Michigan at Memorial Stadium. By Tom Keegan

Notebook: Postgame love for KU linebacker

Of all the guys who made big plays, scored touchdowns or had a direct impact on the Kansas Univeristy football team's 24-10 victory over Central Michigan on Saturday, only one — Jake Love — received a shout-out from head coach Charlie Weis in the postgame speech in the locker room.

Better late than never

McCay's 60-yard, fourth-quarter TD pushes KU past CMU

Kick-started by senior Tony Pierson's 74-yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage, the Jayhawks (2-1) jumped out early, watched Central Michigan (2-2) tie the game at 10 with 6:11 to play in the third and then reclaimed control with a 60-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Montell Cozart to senior wide receiver Justin McCay, both Bishop Miege High grads, both players in dire need of a feel-good moment. By Matt Tait

Recruit Diallo on KU’s campus

Cheick Diallo, a 6-foot-9 senior center from Our Savior New American High in Centereach, New York, is on Kansas University’s campus for an official recruiting visit.

Kansas soccer suffers first loss

Jacie Jermier’s goal just seven minutes in was enough to send Kansas University to its first soccer loss of the season, a 1-0 setback to Marquette on Friday night.

Bechard nets 1,000th win

About a dozen members of Kansas University volleyball coach Ray Bechard’s family held up poster boards that spelled out the message “1000 wins, Rock Chalk Coach B” after the Jayhawks’ 3-1 victory over Cleveland State on Friday night in Horejsi Center. By Gary Bedore

GAMEDAY BREAKDOWN: A look at Central Michigan vs. Kansas

A breakdown of Saturday's Central Michigan-Kansas University football game. By Matt Tait

KU’s Traylor immortalizes ‘Dead Men’ of Boot Camp

The agony of Kansas University Basketball Boot Camp 2014 is being captured daily by junior forward/unofficial team photographer Jamari Traylor, who has been posting “Dead Man of the Day” pictures on his Instagram account following 6-7 a.m. conditioning drills in Allen Fieldhouse. By Gary Bedore

More of the same? Harwell has had success vs. CMU

Kansas University wide receiver Nick Harwell has a history of big games against Central Michigan. By Matt Tait

Column: Juco quick fix is neither

This was supposed to be the year that it all came together at Kansas University for third-year football coach Charlie Weis, who puts in such long hours on the job he sometimes sleeps in his office. By Tom Keegan

Jayhawks turn up physicality, competition in preparation for Central Michigan

Tuesday afternoon, Kansas University football coach Charlie Weis said there was no need to worry about how physical KU’s practices would be this week because Weis and his coaching staff had plans to turn things up a notch. Turns out, they did. By Matt Tait

Dynamo Moscow signs Tyshawn Taylor

Former Kansas University point guard Tyshawn Taylor has signed a contract with Dynamo Moscow of the Russian Superleague. Terms were not disclosed.

Diallo to visit Kansas soon

Cheick Diallo, a 6-foot-9 senior center from Our Savior New American High in Centereach, New York, will meet with Kentucky coach John Calipari today, a day before Diallo begins his weekend recruiting visit to Kansas University, Zagsblog.com reports.

Column: Kansas not paying ex-coaches one penny

Some questions linger, no matter how many times they have been answered, so might as well tackle these three one last (please) time.

Vegas prep relishes visit from Self

Kansas University basketball coach Bill Self and assistant Kurtis Townsend held an in-home visit with Las Vegas Bishop Gorman High senior Stephen Zimmerman on Monday night. By Gary Bedore

Column: Wide receivers aren’t problem for KU

It doesn’t really matter why things keep going awry, just that they do. And when bad things keep happening to the same team, year after year, the problem isn’t what happens, it’s why it keeps happening. By Tom Keegan

Must-win: Weis says CMU game ‘critical’

With an overall record of 5-21 in his two-plus seasons as Kansas University football coach, Charlie Weis knows that every game from here on out is big for the future of the program. By Matt Tait

KU men second at Ram Masters

Kansas University golfer Chase Hanna placed second, and KU placed second as a team at the Ram Masters Invitational on Tuesday at the Fort Collins Country Club.

DiMarco paces KU women’s golf

Kansas University senior Gabriella DiMarco tied for sixth, and the KU women’s golf team placed third at the Minnesota Invitational on Tuesday at the Minikahda Club.

Column: Kansas seems cursed at QB

Based on how raw Montell Cozart looked Saturday in a 41-3 loss to Duke, next season’s opener against South Dakota State could mean the seventh season in a row with a new starting quarterback. By Tom Keegan

Kansas tennis’ Luduena takes singles flight title

Kansas University senior Maria Belen Ludueña won the CCLR Collegiate Invite B Flight singles tennis title on Sunday.

Ex-Jayhawk Chris Thompson wins golf title at Wells Fargo Nebraska Open

Former Kansas University golfer Chris Thompson won the Wells Fargo Nebraska Open by shooting a three-round 196 (17-under) Sept. 12-14 at Elks Country Club. Thompson was a KU All-American in 1998 and 1999.

KU women’s golf in fourth place at Minnesota Invitational

Kansas University senior golfer Gabriella DiMarco shot a two-round 145 to put herself in a tie for fourth place after the first day of the Minnesota Invitational on Monday at The Minikahda Club.

KU men’s golf tied for third at Ram Masters Invitational

Kansas University junior golfer Ben Welle shot a first-round, 1-under 69 and a second-round 70 on Day One of the Ram Masters Invitational on Monday at the Fort Collins Country Club.

Jayhawks: Day One of 2014 Boot Camp ‘great’

At least two Kansas University basketball players were in the best of spirits Monday afternoon after surviving the first of nine or 10 Boot Camp workouts as well as a class or two on campus. The two weeks of coach Bill Self's training camp precede the 2014-15 season. Practice begins on Oct. 3. Late Night in the Phog is Oct. 10. By Gary Bedore

KU-Texas kickoff set for 3 p.m., Sept. 27

The Kansas University football team's homecoming game will have a mid-afternoon kickoff and a national audience.

Jayhawks' efforts to move past Duke begin 48 hours earlier than normal

With last Saturday's 41-3 loss at Duke representing the latest lost opportunity for the Kansas University football team to gain some momentum, KU coach Charlie Weis and the Jayhawks made sure not to lose a chance to move forward on Sunday. Normally, Sunday and Monday are about looking back, recovering physically and preparing to tackle the game plan for the next opponent on Tuesday. Not this week. By Matt Tait

Kansas soccer tops Roos, moves to 8-0

Kansas University soccer peppered UMKC with 22 shots before KU junior Ashley Williams lifted the 23rd past goalkeeper Nina Tzianos in the 82nd minute to give KU a 1-0 victory Sunday at the Jayhawk Soccer Complex and extend the Jayhawks’ record-setting start to the season.

Boot Camp ‘torture’ awaits KU basketball players

Boot Camp, which for KU’s current players starts at 6 a.m. today in Allen Fieldhouse and runs for two weeks, consists of an hour’s worth of sprints, backboard touches, defensive drills and slides — all without use of a basketball. By Gary Bedore

Jayhawks aim to move past loss to Duke

It was billed throughout the offseason as a game that could make a huge impact on the psyche of Kansas University’s football players. The hope now has to be that it doesn’t. By Matt Tait

Column: Make or break — CMU game could seal Weis’ fate

It’s beginning to feel as if Kansas University football coach Charlie Weis’ make-or-break season has been downsized to a make-or-break game, at 2:30 p.m. Saturday against Central Michigan at Memorial Stadium. By Tom Keegan

Overseas trip helped Mickelson shake ‘rust’

Former University of Arkansas forward Hunter Mickelson, who hadn’t played in a real basketball game — with uniforms, fans and referees — since an SEC Tournament loss to Vanderbilt on March 14, 2013, enthusiastically returned to the court in August. By Gary Bedore

Penn State tops KU volleyball

Kansas University’s volleyball team suffered a three-set loss to defending national champion Penn State on Saturday in the Villanova Classic.

Cutcliffe's judgment proved correct on Wilson's record day

Judging talent could be the most important quality for a college football coach charged with turning around the fortunes of a losing program. Clearly, Duke head coach David Cutcliffe has no shortage of ability in that area. By Tom Keegan

Game balls and gassers: KU at Duke

Cornerback JaCorey Shepherd did an outstanding job against productive receiver Jamison Crowder, who caught just two passes for 14 yards.

Notebook: Weis shoulders responsibility for 38-point road defeat

After preparing all week to face specific Duke receivers, KU cornerbacks JaCorey Shepherd and Dexter McDonald found themselves lining up against different guys when Saturday's game began. By Matt Tait

Column: It's time for Cozart to show off his speed

Montell Cozart needs to start using his feet, even if for no other reason than to give punter Trevor Pardula’s left foot a rest. Cozart, a sophomore from Bishop Miege High who came later than most to the quarterback position, is fond of saying he’s a pass-first quarterback who will run when he has to run. By Tom Keegan

'Embarrassing' road trip

Jayhawks bedeviled at Duke

The more things change, the more they stay the same for the Kansas University football team, which, once again, found itself looking like a sumo wrestler in a sand volleyball match during Saturday's 41-3 loss to Duke at Wallace Wade Stadium. By Matt Tait

KU product Boogaard makes Canadian team

Former Kansas University women’s basketball player Krysten Boogaard made Canada’s 12-woman roster and will represent her country at the FIBA World Championship for Women.

Kansas soccer still undefeated

Jamie Fletcher blasted a shot in from the top of the box late in the second half, sparking Kansas University to a 2-0 college soccer victory over Cal State Northridge on Friday at the Jayhawk Soccer Complex.

KU volleyball 2-0 at tourney

Kansas University made short work of its volleyball opponents during the first day of the Villanova Classic on Friday. Much tougher tests await.

Prep Bragg wowed by KU

Carlton Bragg, a 6-foot-9, 225-pound senior basketball power forward from Villa Angela St. Joseph High in Cleveland, who is ranked No. 14 in the Class of 2015 by Rivals.com, had a great in-home visit with Kansas University coach Bill Self on Thursday, Bragg’s mentor, Michael Graves, told Zagsblog.com. By Gary Bedore

GAMEDAY BREAKDOWN: A look at Kansas vs. Duke

A breakdown of today's Kansas-Duke football game. By Matt Tait

Miss. prep Newman busy with in-home visits

Malik Newman, a 6-foot-3 senior combo guard from Callaway High in Jackson, Mississippi, has had in-home visits with Kansas University coach Bill Self, Kentucky’s John Calipari and North Carolina State’s Mark Gottfried so far this week. UConn and Texas A&M’s coaches are also expected to visit with Newman, Rivals.com’s No. 3-rated player, in coming days. By Gary Bedore

Duke trip reunion of sorts for KU’s Weis

You’ll have to excuse KU coach Charlie Weis if he views the moments leading up to KU’s showdown with Duke — 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Wallace Wade Stadium, FOX Sports Midwest Plus — as a bit of a reunion. By Matt Tait

Column: Cozart motivated by missed chances

Practicing an area that needs improvement is one thing, but nothing pumps up the urgency of that sort of self-improvement quest quite the way getting exposed in a game does.

KU secondary ready to move forward

Five completions for 184 yards and three touchdowns. Those were the staggering fourth-quarter passing numbers put up by Southeast Missouri State quarterback Kyle Snyder during last week’s 34-28 loss to Kansas University that left several Jayhawk supporters scratching their heads and wondering what happened to the vaunted KU secondary.

Mykhailiuk eager to start working on his goals

Kansas University freshman Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk’s command of the English language most certainly will improve in the two school years he’s likely to spend in Lawrence.

Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk meets media on Wednesday in Allen Fieldhouse

Ukrainian guard says 'everything is perfect' at KU

Kansas University freshman guard Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk of Ukraine, who arrived in Lawrence at 5:30 p.m., Monday, met the media on Wednesday morning in Allen Fieldhouse. The 17-year-old Mykhailiuk, who is listed as 6-foot-8, 195, is coming off a summer in which he was MVP for Ukraine’s Under 18 European championship team and also played with much older players for Ukraine in the FIBA World Cup.

Kansas soccer ranked No. 20

Kansas University moved into the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Coaches Poll when the rankings were released Tuesday.

Two Jayhawks on award list for volleyball

Kansas University volleyball players Chelsea Albers and Sara McClinton were named to the list of 30 candidates to be considered for the Senior CLASS Award in collegiate volleyball.

KU volleyball miffed despite win

A 3-1 home victory might be all right for some teams, but members of Kansas University’s volleyball program feel like they’re past that point. By Benton Smith

Kansas wary of Duke receivers

When Kansas University football coach Charlie Weis watched the film from Saturday’s season-opening victory against Southeast Missouri State, something struck him that he had to share via text message. By Matt Tait

Column: Cozart off to 'good start'

Considering how early Montell Cozart is in his development as a quarterback, he earned the above-average reviews he received from his coaches. By Tom Keegan

First of all: KU’s Sakdee claims Marilynn Smith title

Pornvipa “Faii” Sakdee, who finished in the top 20 of four golf tournaments her freshman year at Kansas University, claimed her first collegiate title Tuesday at Alvamar. By Gary Bedore

KU releases ticket info for 60 years of Allen Fieldhouse celebration; mock NBA drafts; Embiid dances

The Kansas University athletics department is rolling out the ticket pricing plan for the "Celebrating 60 Years" event on James Naismith Court on Oct. 27, as some of KU basketball’s all-time great coaches Ted Owens, Larry Brown, Roy Williams and Bill Self unite for a special event inside Allen Fieldhouse. By Gary Bedore

Striking distance: Two Jayhawks 1 stroke off lead

All-Big 12 golfer Yupaporn “Mook” Kawinpakorn and her Kansas University teammate/fellow Thailand native Pornvipa “Faii” Sakdee trail Kansas State freshman Chandler Gallagher by one stroke after 36 holes of the Maryilynn Smith Sunflower Invitational on Monday at Alvamar. By Gary Bedore

Weis: Duke good chance for road win

Kansas University football coach Charlie Weis knows all too well the deal about the Jayhawks’ lack of success on the road. By Matt Tait

Column: Lesson from ’10 Kansas football — You have to finish

One game into Charlie Weis’ third year as the replacement for Turner Gill, KU stands in a similar spot as it did in 2010, coming off a disappointing game vs. an FCS opponent, trying to figure out a way to defeat a heavily favored ACC team, this time Duke. By Tom Keegan

Freshman 'Svi' Mykhailiuk jet-lagged, but on campus

Kansas University basketball freshman Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk flew out of an airport in Ukraine about 10 p.m. Central time on Sunday and, after a 19 1/2-hour journey that had connecting flights in France and Minnesota, pulled into Lawrence about 5:30 p.m Monday. By Gary Bedore

KU-CMU kickoff set for 2:30, Sept. 20

The Big 12 Conference announced Monday morning that KU's kickoff for its Sept. 20 home match-up with Central Michigan at Memorial Stadium was set for 2:30 p.m. The game will be televised by FOX Sports Net.

Senior CB Dexter McDonald named Big 12 defensive player of the week

Kansas University senior cornerback Dexter McDonald earned Big 12 defensive player of the week honors, the conference announced Monday morning.

KU soccer blanks Denver, now 6-0

Morgan Williams scored just under 15 minutes in, and Kansas University soccer blanked Denver, 2-0, on Sunday at CIBER Field.

Kansas men’s golf takes third

Kansas University had two individual top-10 finishes and placed third in the team standings of the Wolverine Men’s Golf Intercollegiate on Sunday at the U-M Golf Course.

Self bonds with buddy Garth Brooks

Kansas University basketball coach Bill Self didn’t sing a duet with college buddy/country icon Garth Brooks on Friday night at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois. Self did sit in the second row, however, with his wife, Cindy, and enjoy the start of superstar Brooks’ World Tour. By Gary Bedore

Who’s the man? Stigler repeats as top male athlete

Kansas University track hurdler Michael Stigler repeated as the Male Athlete of the Year, while volleyball player Caroline Jarmoc won Female Athlete of the Year at Sunday’s third-annual Rock Chalk Choice Awards at Lied Center.

Column: Mann, Avery provide hope

Through no fault of De'Andre Mann’s, Kansas had to settle for a 34-28 victory against an athletically inferior Southeast Missouri State football team that went 3-9 in the FCS Ohio Valley Conference a year ago. By Tom Keegan

Donor: Stadium upgrade nice first step

Saturday evening at Memorial Stadium, the anonymous donor who picked up the $500,000 tab that coincided with Kansas University officials’ decision to remove the track and replace it with turf, got a first look at what that money did for the KU football experience. By Matt Tait

Redhawks lament slow start

Southeast Missouri senior quarterback Kyle Snyder was thrilled the Redhawks connected on three fourth-quarter touchdown passes and outscored Big 12 foe Kansas University by 18 points in the second half of Saturday’s nonconference football clash at Memorial Stadium. By Gary Bedore

Game balls and gassers: KU vs. SEMO

Some Kansas Jayhawks stood out for the right reasons on Saturday night at Memorial Stadium. Some didn't.

Top prospects to attend Late Night as a group

In an interesting recruiting twist, Class of 2015 blue-chip prospects Stephen Zimmerman, Jaylen Brown, Carlton Bragg and Brandon Ingram will visit both Kansas University and Kentucky as a Fab Four group.

KU volleyball claims crown

Kansas University’s volleyball team defeated Denver, 25-15, 26-24, 24-26, 25-22, on Saturday night in the championship match of the Pioneer Classic.

Column: KU football Short an important piece

Optimism for the 2014 Kansas University football team lasted all of one wildly entertaining quarter, 15 minutes of game clock. And then the recent past spilled into the present. By the end of Saturday night’s 34-28 victory against Southeast Missouri State, a question that too often bubbles to the surface of the minds of those in attendance for season openers could be asked with at least a hint of credibility: Will this football team win another game this season? By Tom Keegan

Notebook: Wyman back as KU's go-to kicker

Just when it looked as if the Kansas University football team had turned to a new place kicker, sophomore Matthew Wyman, the hero of last season's Louisiana Tech victory, went trotting onto the field for the first field goal attempt of Saturday's 34-28 victory against Southeast Missouri State at Memorial Stadium.

First impression

KU's new offense starts hot, setting up 34-28 victory in season debut

Newness played a big role in the Kansas University football team's 34-28 season-opening victory over Southeast Missouri State on Saturday night at Memorial Stadium. New offense. New quarterback. New top receiver. New look. By Matt Tait

Salazar’s goal gives KU 2OT soccer victory

Liana Salazar scored off a cross by Ali Kimura to give Kansas University a 2-1, double-overtime soccer victory over Colorado on Friday at Prentup Field.

McClinton milestone sparks KU volleyball

Kansas University senior outside hitter Sara McClinton recorded her 1,000th career kill as the Jayhawks opened the Pioneer Volleyball Classic with a straight-set victory over Bradley on Friday.

This Pollard Scot-free

Walk-on Josh shorter, tamer than his once-wild 7-foot uncle

Clean-cut Kansas University basketball walk-on Josh Pollard appears to be a bit more conservative than his uncle — always-outspoken Scot Pollard, who painted his fingernails and toenails in college and wore a mohawk and mutton chops in the NBA. By Gary Bedore

Column: Kansas needs to (pick your verb) SEMO

If the Jayhawks do in fact ravage Southeast Missouri State tonight, the countdown toward bowl-eligibility can start without everybody in sight laughing. By Tom Keegan

Mother knows best: Nick Harwell fulfills mom’s KU dreams

Kansas receiver Nick Harwell remembers his mom’s infatuation with Kansas, even if he never really knew where it came from.By Matt Tait

GAMEDAY BREAKDOWN: A look at Kansas vs. Southeast Missouri State

Breaking down Kansas University's football opener against Southeast Missouri State. By Matt Tait

Mykhailiuk has 3 in Ukraine’s loss

Kansas University freshman shooting guard Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk scored three points off 1-of-4 shooting (1-of-2 from three) while playing 11 minutes in Ukraine’s 95-71 loss to the United States in FIBA World Cup play on Thursday in Spain. By Gary Bedore

KU football to learn soon if sacrifices worth it

With Kansas University set to kick off its football season at 6 p.m. Saturday night against Southeast Missouri State at Memorial Stadium, several players, old and young, will take the first step toward finding out if everything they did to change the way things go for Kansas football was worth it. By Matt Tait

Column: Here’s hoping ’14 not like ’86 for KU, KSU football

It’s not too big of a stretch to think that for the first time in more than a quarter-century, the Big 12’s two Kansas schools could be in the market at the same time for a football coach after this season. By Tom Keegan

Woodland fires 67, shares lead at BMW

Rory McIlroy felt anything under par was a good score Thursday at Cherry Hills. McIlroy ran out of par saves late in the opening round at the BMW Championship and had to settle for a 3-under 67, still enough for the world’s No. 1 player to share the lead with Gary Woodland and Jordan Spieth.

Parent club San Francisco calls up KU product Bochy

Former Kansas University pitcher Brett Bochy has joined the San Francisco Giants, where he will become the first pitcher to be coached by his father in the major leagues.

SEMO’s 77 points catch Kansas’ eyes

Kansas University defensive coordinator Clint Bowen said Southeast Missouri State’s season-opening 77-point outburst against Missouri Baptist last week definitely caught the attention of the KU defense. By Matt Tait

Column: Prepare for liftoff — Cozart-to-Pierson has a nice ring

Here’s hoping Kansas University football's first play of the season will carry symbolism and represent the change from a stale offense weighed down by too many slow-developing plays. Here’s hoping it’s a bubble screen from Montell Cozart to Tony Pierson, the fastest, most exciting player to watch with the ball in his hands. By Tom Keegan

Familiar name walks on to KU hoops

Josh Pollard joins uncle’s alma mater

Josh Pollard averaged 8.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game with 12 blocked shots and 54 steals in helping Orem High to a 24-1 record and state title in 2011-12. He has joined Kansas University as a walk-on. By Gary Bedore

Scot Pollard's nephew joining KU as walk-on

Kansas University basketball coach Bill Self announced Wednesday that guard Josh Pollard has joined the program as a walk-on.

Men's basketball first in proposed Allen Fieldhouse apartments

Kansas University is seeking permission from the state to build its upscale apartments near Allen Fieldhouse for student-athletes in two phases. Phase 1 will be for members of the men's basketball team and other students. By Scott Rothschild

Morgan Big 12’s runner of week

Kansas University freshman Grace Morgan, a Lawrence High graduate, has neem named the Big 12’s female runner of the week.

Column: KU QB Cozart ‘on fire’ — Weis

Just about everybody looks great in batting practice and then the game starts and pitches designed to deceive arrive in unpredictable locations. The same can be said to some extent about quarterbacks in training camps, where they seldom have to worry about getting hit and everybody in the stadium is on their side. And then the game arrives and the goal of the guys on the other side of the line of scrimmage becomes rocking the QB’s body and mind with hits that leave the sound of footsteps echoing for hours.

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