Kansas.com: State Colleges

VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULES

Sat, 30 Aug 2008 01:41 CDT

Friends

September

2 -- vs. Southern Nazarene at Bethany, Okla., 5:30 p.m.; vs. Mid-America Christian at Oklahoma City, 7:30 p.m. 7--at McPherson Tournament. 10 -- at Bethel, 7 p.m. 12-13--at Hastings Tournament, Hastings, Neb. 16 -- Ottawa, 7 p.m. 18 -- at Saint Mary, 7 p.m. 24 -- Southwestern, 7 p.m. 26 -- Central Christian, 7 p.m. 27 -- Dana, 1 p.m. 30 -- McPherson, 7 p.m.

October

2--at Kansas Wesleyan, 7 p.m. 4--Sterling, 1 p.m.; Oklahoma Baptist, 5 p.m. 7 -- at Tabor, 7 p.m. 9--Bethany, 7 p.m. 13--Bethel, 7 p.m. 15-- at Ottawa, 7 p.m. 18--Oklahoma Wesleyan, 1 p.m. 20--Saint Mary, 7 p.m. 21 -- at Newman, 7 p.m. 23 -- at Southwestern, 7 p.m. 27--at McPherson, 7 p.m. 29 -- Kansas Wesleyan, 7 p.m.

SOCCER SCHEDULES

Sat, 30 Aug 2008 01:42 CDT

Friends Men

September

2 -- Newman, 8 p.m. 5 -- at William Penn, 5:30. 6--vs. Mt. Marty at William Penn, 2 p.m. 10 -- St. Gregory's, 6 p.m. 13 -- at Hastings, 3 p.m. 19 -- at Missouri Valley, 4 p.m. 20 -- at Bellevue, 3 p.m. 26 -- at Avila , 2 p.m. 27 -- at Rogers State, 4 p.m.

October

4--at Bethel, 1 p.m. 7 -- at St. Mary, 4 p.m. 11 -- Ottawa, 8 p.m. 15 -- Kansas Wesleyan, 8 p.m. 18 -- at McPherson, 8 p.m. 22 -- at Tabor, 4 p.m. 25 -- Southwestern, 8 p.m. 29 -- Bethany, 8 p.m.

Butler falls in showdown at Cessna

TAYLOR ELDRIDGE — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 02:35 CDT

Standing on the field several minutes after a game billed as "Battle Of The Champions" pitting No. 1-ranked and NJCAA co-national champion Butler against No. 2 Blinn, Grizzlies coach Troy Morrell was still going over the plays in his head.

There will be plenty of late nights for Morrell this weekend thinking about the chances Butler left on the table in a 23-20 loss to Blinn at Cessna Stadium on a breezy Thursday night.

Butler was quickly put in check by a roaming Blinn defense that turned the Grizzlies' once-thought balanced attack into a one-dimensional pass-happy offense.

"It's a big-time character check is what it is," Morrell said. "I feel like we got the right kids on our team that can bounce back. It's just a matter of dealing with some adversity and hanging together. There are a lot more days out there for us to get it...."

Blinn turned the ball over five times -- three coming in the second half -- and committed 13 penalties for 125 yards, opening the door countless times for Butler.

Grizzlies ready for showdown

TONY ADAME — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 02:39 CDT

Butler coach Troy Morrell figures nights like tonight and games like these are the reason he became a coach.

"I think that's probably why I got into this profession, that nervous energy, that anticipation and excitement you get before a game," Morrell said. "It's going to be a great platform for us to highlight our program."

The No. 1-ranked Grizzlies take the field at Wichita State's Cessna Stadium tonight to take on No. 2 Blinn (Texas) College in a game billed as the "Battle of the Champions."

Butler is the defending co-national champion after going 12-0 last season, and also is the seven-time defending Jayhawk Conference champion.

Blinn won the national championship in 2006 and went 7-3 last year.

Newman selects Trilli as new AD

TONY ADAME — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 02:39 CDT

Sources from both Garden City Community College and Newmanconfirm Garden City athletic director Vic Trilli will be named as Newman's new athletic director at a news conference this morning on Newman's campus.

Trilli, reached by phone Wednesday, confirmed he would be in Wichita today.

"Let me say this," Trilli said. "There's a press conference scheduled for tomorrow in Wichita, at Newman, that I'll be at."

Trilli takes over for Randy Smith, who resigned shortly after taking the job in February to deal with family issues.

Trilli has been the athletic director at Garden City since January 2005, and was the assistant athletic director for three years before that.

Texas retires Young's No. 10

JIM VERTUNO — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 01:37 CDT

The Vince Young legacy keeps growing at Texas.

The quarterback who led the Longhorns to the 2005 national championship will have his No. 10 retired in a ceremony before Saturday night's season opener against Florida Atlantic.

Young's name and number will be permanently displayed on the facade of the new upper deck in the north end zone of Darrell K. Royal/Texas Memorial Stadium. He will also be presented with a framed burnt-orange jersey.

"He's one of the best, if not the best, to ever wear a Longhorns uniform," said Texas quarterback Colt McCoy, who was a redshirt freshman in 2005 when Young led the Longhorns to a 13-0 record capped by a 41-38 win over Southern California in the Rose Bowl.

Young's fourth-down dash to the end zone in the final minute scored the winning touchdown and capped one of the great individual performances in the history of college football. He left Texas after that junior season, was drafted third overall, and is now in his third year with the Tennessee Titans in the NFL.

Tough test awaits Briles in Baylor debut

JIM VERTUNO — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 01:43 CDT

History is against Art Briles.

The new Baylor head coach inherits a program that has been the worst in the Big 12 since the league started. Five of the last six Bears coaches -- dating all the way back to 1969 -- lost their first game.

The present doesn't seem to be of much help either. Briles' Baylor debut comes tonight against No. 23 Wake Forest, which is ranked to start the season for the first time in program history.

Briles says he's all about the future and a win would make it seem a heck of a lot brighter.

"Every game is a big game (but) Thursday is a big chance for us to showcase nationally what we certainly hope to be about as a football program," he said.

NO. 1 BUTLER VS. NO. 2 BLINN

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 01:43 CDT

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Cessna Stadium

2007 Records: Butler 12-0, Blinn 7-3

Radio: 1330-AM

THE BIG TEN

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 01:43 CDT

Last in a series of major-college football conference previews. For past previews, go to Kansas.com.

Overview

Ohio State's favored to win the Big Ten for a fourth straight year. But while conference crowns are nice, Ohio State wouldn't mind erasing the memories of lopsided losses in the last two BCS title games with a national championship.

Michigan is in transition as new coach Rich Rodriguez installs his vaunted spread offense -- without a proven quarterback.

Illinois will try to prove it's no one-year wonder, while Purdue coach Joe Tiller hopes his high-flying offense can nudge its way into the upper end of the standings in his final season before retirement.

Gorillas want back in playoffs

TONY ADAME — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 01:43 CDT

Pittsburg State coach Chuck Broyles hears the talk, and it doesn't do much but make him laugh a little bit.

Yes, the Gorillas have missed the NCAA Division II playoffs the last two seasons, only the second and third times in Broyles' 19-year tenure that Pittsburg State hasn't been in the postseason.

And no, he is not worried.

"It's not like we're the Dream Team trying to become the Redeem Team or anything," Broyles said. "You talk to our fans and they're just beside themselves. But I think they're a bit spoiled. Just to get in is an accomplishment, and with the schedule we play that's not a given."

Not that the impetus to win has gone by the wayside. This is, after all, still Pittsburg State.

BASKETBALL

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 01:43 CDT

The Kansas basketball program still has two visits scheduled with class of 2009 standout Xavier Henry, but it's possible that a development Tuesday afternoon could make KU's pursuit of him more of an uphill battle.

Henry's older brother, C.J. Henry, who gave an oral commitment in 2005 to play at KU before being drafted by the New York Yankees, told The Oklahoman that he would play basketball this season for Memphis. Currently, it is believed that KU and Memphis are the frontrunners to land Xavier Henry, an Oklahoma City shooting guard who is the No. 3 overall prospect in the class, according to Rivals.com.

C.J. Henry told the newspaper he believes it's "50-50" that Xavier chooses the same school as he does.

• KU coach Bill Self announced Tuesday that Brett Ballard will take over for the departed Ronnie Chalmers as the team's director of basketball operations.

• Former NBA player and Oklahoma star Wayman Tisdale had part of his right leg amputated because of bone cancer. Tisdale, 44, revealed on his Web site that the surgery was scheduled for Monday. His wife, Regina, told the Associated Press on Tuesday night the surgery had taken place as planned.

SMALL COLLEGE SCHEDULES

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 01:37 CDT

NCAA Division II

MIAA

Emporia State

Saturday	Western State	7
Sept. 6	Augustana, S.D.	1
Sept. 13	at Nebraska-Omaha	6
Sept. 20	Fort Hays State	1
Sept. 27	Missouri Southern	1
Oct. 4	at Central Missouri	1:30
Oct. 11	at Washburn	1
Oct. 18	at Missouri Western	1:30
Oct. 25	Truman	1
Nov. 1	at NW Missouri	1
Nov. 8	Pittsburg State	1

Fort Hays State

Thursday	N.M. Highlands	7
Sept. 6	at Colorado Mines	1
Sept. 13	Washburn	7
Sept. 20	at Emporia State	1
Sept. 27	Truman	2
Oct. 4	at Missouri Western	1:30
Oct. 11	Missouri Southern	2
Oct. 18	at NW Missouri State	1:30
Oct. 25	Pittsburg State	2
Nov. 1	at Nebraska-Omaha	1
Nov. 8	Central Missouri	2

Pittsburg State

KU backs an odd couple

J. BRADY MCCOLLOUGH — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 01:43 CDT

There was Jake Sharp, the Kansas-bred running back, smiling wide, talking about how his hard work had finally paid off with a starting spot.

And there was Jocques Crawford, the No. 2 running back on the depth chart, sitting across the room, openly discussing what he wanted to accomplish during his first season.

"Honestly," Crawford said, "when I talk to my family members, a personal goal I set for myself is to rush for 2,000 yards."

Never mind that 12 running backs in the history of Division I-A college football have surpassed that barrier. Never mind that he hasn't officially unseated Sharp as KU's top back. Crawford, a junior-college transfer from Memphis, is not going to hit the breaks on his own hype train. That's just not his way.

"I set high goals for myself," Crawford said, "just to see if I can accomplish it."

PITTSBURG STATE

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 01:38 CDT

The 17th-ranked Gorillas return 14 starters -- seven on offense and seven on defense -- from a 2007 squad that posted an 8-3 record but failed to qualify for postseason play for just the third time in the last 19 years and the second year in a row.

Senior quarterback Mark Smith (the MIAA's pass efficiency leader in last season with a 158.2 rating) and senior running back Caleb Farabi (the MIAA's top returning rusher at 124.5 ypg), both Pittsburg natives, lead the offense.

Farabi rushed for 1,370 yards last season, but also excelled catching passes out of the backfield with 291 yards receiving and scored 21 touchdowns.

Dave Wiemers, Emporia State's head coach from 2001-2006, joins the Gorillas' staff as defensive coordinator.

The defense hopes to get a boost from new defensive coordinator Dave Wiemers, the former Emporia State head coach, but injuries to projected starters Jeremy Jackson (broken wrist) and all-conference defensive lineman Rashad Pittman (knee) could prove damaging.

FOOTBALL

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 01:38 CDT

Jayhawk Schedules

Butler

Thursday	Blinn	7
Sept. 6	at Garden City	7
Sept. 13	Dodge City	1:30
Sept. 20	at Air Force Prep	2
Sept. 27	at Coffeyville	7
Oct. 4	Hutchinson	7
Oct. 18	at Independence	1
Oct. 25	Highland	7
Nov. 1	Fort Scott	7

Coffeyville

Saturday	Navarro (Texas)	7
Sept. 6	at Air Force Prep	1
Sept. 13	at Fort Scott	1
Sept. 20	Highland	7
Sept. 27	Butler	7
Oct. 4	at Garden City	7
Oct. 11	at Hutchinson	7
Oct. 25	Dodge City	7
Nov. 1	at Independence	7

Dodge City

Saturday	at Trinity Valley (Tx)	7
Sept. 6	Independence	7
Sept. 13	at Butler	1:30
Sept. 20	at Hutchinson	7
Sept. 27	Air Force Prep	1
Oct. 11	Fort Scott	7
Oct. 18	at Garden City	7
Oct. 25	at Coffeyville	7
Nov. 1	Highland	1:30

Fort Scott

THE ACC AND BIG EAST

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 01:38 CDT

Fourth in a series of major-college football conference previews. For past previews, go to Kansas.com.

THE ACC

Overview

It's a league whose members have lost their last eight appearances in Bowl Championship Series games, haven't boasted a national champion since Florida State in 1999 and tend to struggle against squads from power conferences.

Clemson might be the one to change that cycle. For the first time since 1991, the Tigers are the favorite to win the ACC title, even though there's no shortage of contenders.

AROUND THE JAYHAWK CONFERENCE

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 01:42 CDT

BUTLER

The numbers Butler will have to replace on both sides of the ball might make most coaches blanch.

The Grizzlies and coach Troy Morrell lost, count 'em, six All-Americans off last year's co-national championship team.

But for the Grizzlies -- ranked No. 1 in the NJCAA preseason poll and the seven-time defending Jayhawk Conference champions -- it just means somebody else gets to step up.

RB Randell Bell showed flashes of brilliance in an injury-plagued season, and will shoulder the rushing load as he tries to replace Beau Johnson's 1,769 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns. Of course, Bell will have honorable mention All-American Erik Dahl blocking for him, which should help.

Butler sophomore applies last year's lessons

TONY ADAME — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 03:02 CDT

Before he can even remember, Zac Clark was hard-wired to be a football player.

His mother, Patty, tells a story about taking Zac to the mall as a toddler, which would prove to be perilous for any inanimate objects in his path.

"I was 2, and she told me that since my younger sister was a baby, she had to push the stroller so she couldn't hold onto me," Clark said. "I would scream 'FOOTBALL' and tackle trash cans, anything in my way. I would run wild."

And so it began.

Today, Clark, a Wichita North graduate, is a defensive end for No. 1-ranked Butler after becoming a surprise starter last season opposite All-American Markus White.

14 BCS-DECIDING GAMES

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 01:40 CDT

Ohio State at USC, Sept. 13

Please, Trojans, give the nation a false sense of security that the Buckeyes can't be back in the BCS title game again

Georgia at Arizona State, Sept. 20

Dawgs may be the nation's best team, but this is the first of three road bears (LSU, Auburn the others)

LSU at Auburn, Sept. 20

2008 COLLEGE FOOTBALL TV SCHEDULE

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 01:40 CDT

Thursday

N.C. State at South Carolina, 7 p.m. (ESPN)

Wake Forest at Baylor, 7 p.m. (FSN)

Oregon St. at Stanford, 8 p.m. (ESPN2)

Friday, Aug. 29