Big 12 Conference Football Game Previews for Games of Oct. 26

Transcription

1 2201 Stemmons Freeway, 28th Floor Dallas, Texas Fax web site: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Oct. 22, 2002 Big 12 Conference Football Game Previews for Games of Oct. 26 DALLAS It s out of October and pashing into They Remember November time for Big 12 Conference football contenders this weekend. As the first Bowl Championship Series rankings are released Monday, the Big 12 should gain some additional strength of schedule in the computer portion of the formula from having seven different teams ranked among the Top 25 at some point this season while three others have received poll votes. Colorado (5-2, 3-0 Big 12 Conference) is the leader of the Big 12 North Division prior to Saturday s clashes. Oklahoma (7-0, 3-0 Big 12) has command of the South after its second win over a Top 10-ranked opponent then No. 2/3 Texas in Dallas and then No. 9/11 Iowa State 49-3 in Norman in two weeks. The Sooners and Buffaloes also are gearing up for a Nov. 2 skirmish of current North and South Division leaders while several teams are within striking distance. Texas, Texas A&M and Texas Tech all are 2-1 in the Big 12 South while Baylor and Oklahoma State each have a league victory. Iowa State (6-2, 3-1) stands a half game behind the Buffs in the North while Kansas State and Nebraska loom big in a tie for third in that division. Oklahoma and Texas have reached bowl eligibility status while CU, KSU and Texas A&M are one win away from joining the pool for one of the Big 12 s eight possible postseason invitations. Oklahoma and Oklahoma State take the final open dates Saturday for any Big 12 entries prior to Nov. 23 encounters to rev up for the stretch drive. The two rivals meet in a national telecast on Fox Sports Net Nov. 30 at 1:30 p.m. (CST) in the Big 12 s last contest before the Dr Pepper Big 12 Football Championship, a hard sellout, on Dec. 7 at Houston s Reliant Stadium. And, speaking of the last weekend in October, don t forget to fall back one hour to Central Standard Time at 2 a.m. (Central) on Oct. 27. Here are capsule previews for the five Big 12 Conference games Saturday.

2 TEXAS TECH at COLORADO, 11:30 a.m. (MDT)/12:30 p.m. (CDT), Folsom Field (50,942), Boulder, Colo., Fox Sports Net Regional Telecast Texas Tech 5-3, 2-1 Big 12 Conference, RV in AP, ESPN/USA TODAY Colorado 5-2, 3-0 Big 12 Conference, 21st in AP, 20th in ESPN/USA TODAY Texas Tech leads 3-2 At Lubbock: TT leads 3-0 At Boulder: CU leads 2-0 Last Time Out: October 16, 1999 At Texas Tech 31, Colorado 10 Notes: Home field has been the key in this short series, which Texas Tech started with a win at Lubbock in 1962 under Texas Sports Hall of Fame coach the late J.T. King. The Red Raiders won again at Jones SBC Stadium 24-7 in 1976 before the Buffaloes began a two-game skein in Boulder by scores of in 1981 and in 1998 when the teams clashed in Big 12 Conference activity. Tech is familiar with Big 12 North Division competition, though, from an earlier loss at Iowa State, last week s win over Missouri and 36 total encounters in all series with North neighbors (Tech leads 20-16). Colorado similarly is against Big 12 South opposition and downed Baylor 34-0 in its lone interdivision meeting this year. The Red Raiders are in Big 12 conference bouts while Colorado stands in the conference since Texas Tech: Mike Leach (Brigham Young, 1983) (3rd season) overall (3rd season) at Texas Tech 0-0 vs. Colorado 0-2 in bowl games Colorado: Gary Barnett (Missouri, 1969) (13th season) overall (4th season) at Colorado 0-1 vs. Texas Tech 1-3 in bowl games Texas Tech Quick Hits -Tech quarterbacks have four of the Top 10 individual total offense performances in singles games in Big 12 history. -The Red Raiders have played in seven bowl games in the last nine years and are two wins away from 2002 bowl eligibility with 13 regular-campaign contests. -Texas Tech is fourth in NCAA Division I-A with an average of yards per game passing, 28 TD (Big 12 record), 3,010 yards, and 67.5 percent completion average. -Punt returns and special teams have been a plusfield-position advantage for Tech as the team is 18th nationally with 13.9 yards per punt runback with two TD. Colorado Quick Hits -Intangibles have been the bread and butter for CU s effectiveness this season; the team has allowed only five passing touchdowns and has given up 110 points in six games aside from a loss to USC. -CU has played 44 games against AP Top 15 teams since 1989 and is ; the Buffs also are 7-6 against non-big 12 Top 25 teams since Colorado won 10 of its last 12 games in 2001 and owns a four-game winning streak this year. -Running back Chris Brown reached 1,000 yards rushing (1,154, first player in Big 12) this year in the second-quickest time period (seven games) in school history; 1994 Heisman Trophy winner Rashaan Salaam had an amazing 2,055 net yards in his first six games of that campaign. Texas Tech Key Individuals Anton Paige, Sr., Wide Receiver -Has been making more and more catches with TD receptions in four of the last five games; had a stretch of one touchdown for every 4.2 snares from Games Nos Sixth-leading receiver in the Big 12 with 45 catches for 523 yards and conference-co-leading (with OSU s Rashaun Woods) seven TD. Kliff Kingsbury, Sr., Quarterback -Became the Big 12 s first 10,000 (yards of total offense), 10,000 (passing yards) and 1,000 (completions) standout in history after going 49- for-70 passing with 510 yards, five TD throws and 501 yards of total offense against Missouri last Saturday. -Making Heisman, O Brien and Unitas waves after setting 37 Texas Tech records, 12 Big 12 marks and two NCAA standards in his career. Ryan Aycock, Jr., Free Safety -Quietly staying among Big 12 s Top 10 in individual tackles. -Enters Saturday s contest with 88 total stops, two sacks, seven deflections, and assistance for a team pass defense with six interceptions. Colorado Key Individuals Chris Brown, Jr., Running Back -Moved up to No. 1 nationally in individual rushing with a average through six games and kept his place this week. -Hit the 1,000-yard mark for the season on his second carry (55-yard TD jaunt) against Baylor last week; has 1,154 net yards on 164 carries with 13 TD and yards per game after gaining 167 against Baylor. Medford Moorer, Jr., Free Safety -Consistent linebacker with 56 total tackles in seven contests and seven pass deflections. -Came on strongly during the final games of 2001 and has 80 hits with 13 third down stops in his last 19 regular-season tilts. Mark Mariscal, Sr., Punter -Named first team Midseason All-America in recent CNNSI.com survey; still leads nation with 48.7 average. -Has averaged 46.8 yards on his last 72 punts over two seasons with a 44.5 norm as a junior; adept at dropping kicks inside the 20-yard line. Brian Jensen, John Harris and Mark Finkner on the Texas Tech Radio Network; Larry Zimmer, Jay Leeuwenburg and Bobby Anderson on the Colorado Radio Network; Bill Land, Gary Reasons and Jim Knox on Fox Sports Net Tickets remain by calling , and information is available online at

3 KANSAS at MISSOURI, 1:07 p.m., Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field (68,349), Columbia, Mo. Kansas 2-6, 0-4 Big 12 Conference, Unranked Missouri 3-4, 0-3 Big 12 Conference, Unranked Kansas leads At Columbia: MU leads At Lawrence: KU leads At Kansas City: KU leads At St. Joseph: KU leads 1-0 Last Time Out: October 20, 2001 Missouri 38, at Kansas 34 Notes: The overall series indicates it doesn t get much closer in this Border War with either Kansas or Missouri claiming a advantage. There is one disputed outcome of the series. This Border War started in 1891, is the second longest Division I-A series nationally (behind Minnesota-Wisconsin), and the longest west of the Mississippi. Established in 1912, Kansas and Missouri compete for the Marching Band Drum each year in football. The two teams have split their last six meetings since 1996, the first year of the conference, and the road team has won the last two verdicts. Last year Missouri s Dwayne Blakley caught a 14-yard pass from Kirk Farmer with 7:20 remaining in MU s see saw win in Lawrence. There were five lead changes in the contest. Kansas: Mark Mangino (Youngstown State, 1987) 2-6 (1st season) overall 2-6 (1st season) at Kansas 0-0 vs. Missouri 0-0 in bowl games Kansas Quick Hits -Kansas fell to Texas A&M last Saturday to drop to 2-6, 0-4 Big 12, on the season. The Aggies posted 566 yards total offense in the game. -KU has six wide receivers with 15 or more catches this season. -KU held Texas A&M scoreless in the first quarter last week. In the three previous games the Jayhawks had been outscored 41-9 in the opening period. -Kansas has scored first in each of the last nine meetings with Missouri dating back to The Jayhawks have outscored the Tigers 36-0 in the first quarter of the last five matchups. Missouri Quick Hits -Missouri fell to 3-4, 0-3 Big 12 Conference, with a loss at Texas Tech last weekend. The Red Raiders rolled up 606 yards total offense on the Tigers. -MU averages yards total offense this season. Last year the Tigers averaged yards total offense. -Missouri s 31.6 points per game average is nearly 10 more than last year s 21.8 mark. -Four of Missouri s final five opponents in 2002 are either currently ranked or receiving votes in the latest Associated Press poll. Kansas Key Individuals Byron Gasaway, Sr., Wide Receiver -Tied for second on the team with Brandon Rideau with 23 receptions each. -Caught six passes for 63 yards against Texas A&M and has caught at least one pass in 10 straight games which dates back to last season. Greg Cole, Sr., Linebacker -Leads KU with 78 total tackles this season which includes 18 TFL and four sacks. -Has five double digit tackle games in 2002 and had led KU in tackles in four of eight games. Curtis Ansel, Jr., Punter -Ranks sixth in the Big 12 and 23rd nationally with a 42.3 punting average and has 19 punts downed inside the 20-yard line. -Listed among the nine additions to the Ray Guy Award watch list for 2002 Punter of the Year. Missouri Key Individuals Brad Smith, Fr-RS, Quarterback -Ranks second in the Big 12 and seventh nationally in total offense with a 302 yards average per game. -Was 20-for-32 passing at Texas Tech for 275 yards and three touchdowns yet was held to 21 yards rushing. Justin Gage, Sr., Wide Receiver -The Big 12 s leading receiver with 54 catches for 674 yards and four touchdowns in Ranks eighth nationally in receptions per game with 7.7 this season. Keith Wright, Sr., Defensive Tackle -A second team All-Big 12 selection last year with 54 tackles (39 solo) in 2002 with 15 TFL and four sacks. -Is tied for second on the team with Antwan Bynum with seven QB hurries this season. Sean Doyle leads MU with eight. Missouri: Gary Pinkel (Kent State, 1975) (12th season) overall 7-11 (2nd season) at Missouri 1-1 vs. Kansas 1-0 in bowl games Bob Davis, Max Falkenstien and David Lawrence on the Kansas Radio Network; Mike Kelly, John Kadlec and Chris Gervino on the Missouri Radio Network Ticket information is available via the Missouri ticket office at 800-CAT-PAWS or via the Missouri web site at

4 KANSAS STATE at BAYLOR, 2 p.m. (CDT), Floyd Casey Stadium (50,000), Waco, Texas Kansas State 5-2, 1-2 Big 12 Conference, 20th in AP, 21st in ESPN/USA TODAY Baylor 3-4, 1-2 Big 12 Conference, Unranked Kansas State leads 3-0 At Manhattan: KSU leads 1-0 At Waco: KSU leads 2-0 Last Time Out: October 30, 1999 At Kansas State 48, Baylor 7 Notes: KSU has a commanding 3-0 series lead and has outscored the Bears an average of 47-9 in the first three meetings. After a Big Eight- Southwest Conference intersectional win by the Wildcats at Waco in 1969, KSU prevailed at Waco 49-6 in The latest encounter between the teams was the first in Manhattan. K- State is in 166 previous faceoffs with Big 12 South opponents while BU has a record in 42 appearances against Big 12 North foes. The Wildcats also trail only Nebraska (42-9) in total Big 12 victories since 1996 with a league mark. Baylor is 4-47 in all Big 12 Conference matches and is 3-17 against Big 12 North entities. This is BU s final regular-season interdivisional game of the season while Kansas State has Texas A&M from the South left on its Oct. 26-Nov. 23 slate. Kansas State: Bill Snyder (William Jewell, 1962) (14th season) overall (14th season) at Kansas State 2-0 vs. Baylor 5-4 in bowl games Baylor: Kevin Steele (Tennessee, 1981) 9-31 (4th season) overall 9-31 (4th season) at Baylor 0-0 vs. Kansas State 0-0 in bowl games Kansas State Quick Hits -The Wildcats are one victory away from being bowl eligible for the school-record 10th consecutive season all under coach Bill Snyder. -KSU has prepped the likes of OU s Bob Stoops and Mike Stoops, KU s Mark Mangino, South Florida s Jim Leavitt, and SMU s Phil Bennett as assistant coaches for head coaching posts. -K-State has averaged eight wins per season since 1989 under Snyder after going a composite in 1987 and Kansas State also won at least nine games in eight of nine campaigns from Baylor Quick Hits -BU has made 16 all-time bowl appearances, and the most recent was a 10-3 loss to Washington State in the 1994 Alamo Bowl (currently presented by MasterCard). -Baylor broke a three-season losing streak in Big 12 games with a victory over Kansas in Waco on October 5. -The Bears have played three teams which have been in the AP Top 25 at some point in 2002 and have an upcoming skein of top-rated KSU, Texas Tech, Texas, and Oklahoma in the next four contests. -After a win over Tulsa this season, BU extended its home winning streak against nonconference teams at Floyd Casey Stadium to six games since Kansas State Individuals Taco Wallace, Sr., Wide Receiver -Has been a big-play receiver with team-leading 19 catches for 399 yards, 21 yards per reception and three TD this year. -Came back from limited action last season when he made two catches for 17 yards in his lone statistical strikes against Texas A&M. Terence Newman, Sr., Cornerback -Has received raves for possible 2002 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in the FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM. -Credited with 30 total tackles (24 solos), teambest nine PBU, three interceptions, 12 punt returns for 181 yards and one TD, seven kickoff returns for 259 yards, 37-yard average and one TD. Darren Sproles, So., Running Back -Averages seven yards per carry for his career with 2002 numbers of 111 rushing attempts for 735 yards, seven TD and 105 yards per game 28th in Division I-A. -Has four 100-yards-plus performances with a career-high 136 yards on 20 carries last week against No. 7 Texas. Baylor Key Individuals Reggie Newhouse, Sr., Wide Receiver -Extended his streak to 29 consecutive games with a pass reception by catching six for 85 yards last week at Colorado; has 40 grabs for 601 yards as a senior. -Approaching the Top Three in both Big 12 career pass receptions (fifth with 148) and receiving yards (seventh with 2,013). Ethan Kelley, Sr., Defensive Tackle -Had a career-equaling-high seven tackles against New Mexico earlier this year. -Leads team with seven TFL and 11 quarterback hurries while having a hand in 43 tackles also tops on the squad. Robert Quiroga, Jr., Wide Receiver -One of the most hardest-working Bears upperclassmen as a wideout and critical member of punt coverage teams. -Raised his career total to 60 receptions for 679 yards last week and had a season-best eight catches for 81 yards against Colorado; projecting his best season in 2002 with 20 grabs for 247 yards. Wyatt Thompson, Stan Weber and Chris Allison on the Kansas State Radio Network; John Morris, Walter Abercrombie and Ricky Thompson on the Baylor Radio Network. Tickets remain by calling or going online at

5 IOWA STATE at TEXAS, 2:30 p.m. (CDT), Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium/ Jamail Field (80,082), Austin, Texas, ABC Regional Telecast Iowa State 6-2, 3-1 Big 12 Conference, 17th in AP, 18th in ESPN/USA TODAY Texas 6-1, 2-1 Big 12 Conference, 7th in AP and ESPN/USA TODAY Texas leads 3-0 At Ames: Texas leads 1-0 At Austin: Texas leads 2-0 Last Time Out: Oct. 30, 1999 Texas 44, at Iowa State 41 Notes: In this third series meeting in four contests at Austin, the Cyclones seek to move the ball as they did in a last-second, loss at Ames in Their first sojourn was a 17-9 win in 1979 by coach Fred Akers Longhorns over coach Donnie Duncan s Cyclones. UT also outlasted ISU in 1998 at Jack Trice Stadium to set the stage for another point-filled game Saturday. Texas is against Big 12 North Division squads in all games, including the 1996, 99 and 2001 Dr Pepper Big 12 Football Championships (1-2 overall mark vs. Nebraska and Colorado). ISU continues making a bid for its first North Division crown and is against Big 12 South teams. A total of 112 of those 131 all-time tilts against South Division entries has been against Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. The Longhorns are in Big 12 Conference play while the Cyclones have a Big 12 mark. Iowa State: Dan McCarney (Iowa, 1975) (8th season) overall (8th season) at Iowa State 0-2 vs. Texas 1-1 in bowl games Texas: Mack Brown (Florida State, 1974) (19th season) overall (5th season) at Texas 1-0 vs. Iowa State 5-5 in bowl games Iowa State Quick Hits -Quarterbacks coach Steve Brickey was an assistant coach under then-head coach David McWilliams at Texas from team. -ISU has its highest ranking in late October in Big 12 scoring offense at fourth place eight games into its season with a 35.2 average 19th in NCAA Division I-A. -The Cyclones were named FWAA Grantland Rice poll Team of the Week after downing Nebraska 36-14; the team debuted at No. 15 and climbed to No. 9 nationally later. -Iowa State defensive brothers true freshman NG Nick and soph LB Andy Leaders are the sons of the late ISU line standout Mike Leaders, who died of leukemia in Texas Quick Hits -Head coach Mack Brown was wide receivers coach and offensive coordinator under thenhead coach Donnie Duncan with the Cyclones from before moving to LSU in 1982 as quarterbacks coach. -The Longhorns have played only four games with teams from the state of Iowa Iowa State and the University of Iowa and have a 3-1 alltime advantage. -UT is among the top two in three Big 12 defensive categories and stands second nationally in pass defense while allowing 120 yards per game to opponents and just 42.3 percent completion rate. -Texas has been among the Top 12 nationally in team pass defense efficiency since the 2000 season and had the nation s best efficiency rating (88.3) against the pass in Iowa State Key Individuals Seneca Wallace, Sr., Quarterback -Still among Big 12 and national trend setters in almost every key offensive facet; has paced Cyclones to 13-7 record and MainStay Independence Bowl berth in 20 games as a starter. -Second in Big 12 pass efficiency rating and 23rd in the country with a reading on 128-for- 214 passing, 1,844 yards, just under 15 yards per completion, and 11 TD; also has 1,968 total offense yards. Matt Word, Sr., Linebacker -SBC Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 12 after making 17 tackles and forcing a fumble in ISU s Homecoming victory over potent Texas Tech. -Team s second-leading tackler with 74 for an average of 9.3 per game, three TFL and two fumbles forced. Brandon Brown, So., Linebacker -May be short on stature at 5-10 but has shown some of the team s best defensive quickness in his first year as a starter. -Paces the Cyclones with 81 stops (57 unassisted), four sacks and a pass interception with a 29-yard return. Texas Key Individuals Cory Redding, Sr., Defensive End -All-America candidate making strong inroads toward Lombardi and Outland Awards -Enjoyed a solid evening with seven solo tackles, two quarterback sacks, four TFL, five QB pressures and a fumble forced in Longhorns win at Kansas State last week. Chris Simms, Sr., Quarterback -Moving up virtually every passing and offense career ladder in Big 12 and Texas annals with 117-for-214 accuracy for 1,501 yards, 12 TD and seven interceptions. -Currently fourth in Big 12 history and third on Longhorns charts with 44 TD passes; also fourth in both school and conference all-time with 5,391 passing yards. Roy Williams, Jr., Wide Receiver -Named one of 10 semifinalists for the prestigious Biletnikoff Award as a junior standout; has 21 catches this fall for 353 yards. -Advanced his career totals to 128 receptions and 1,998 yards 11th and eighth, respectively, in Big 12 record books with five regular-season contests and more possibilities in Pete Taylor, Eric Heft and John Quinn on the Iowa State Radio Network; Craig Way, Keith Moreland and Brian Jones on the Iowa State Radio Network; Tim Brandt, Ed Cunningham and Sam Ryan-Herbst on ABC. Sellout

6 NEBRASKA at TEXAS A&M, 6 p.m. (CDT), Kyle Field (82,600), College Station, Texas, TBS Superstation National Telecast Nebraska 5-3, 1-2 Big 12 Conference, RV in ESPN/USA TODAY, Not ranked in AP Texas A&M 5-2, 2-1 Big 12 Conference, RV in AP and ESPN/USA TODAY Nebraska leads 7-2 At College Station: A&M leads 1-0 At Lincoln: NU leads 5-1 Neutral: NU leads 2-0 Last Time Out: November 6, 1999 At Nebraska 37, Texas A&M 0 Notes: This nine-game series dates back to The Huskers and Aggies met for the first time as members of the Big 12 in the 1997 Dr Pepper Big 12 Championship game in San Antonio where NU won The teams have split their last two meetings with A&M winning in College Station in 1998 and NU claiming its third shut out in the series 37-0 in Lincoln in This will mark only the second time these two teams will have played each other in College Station. They also met in the 1988 Kickoff Classic in East Rutherford, N.J., with Nebraska winning Nebraska: Frank Solich (Nebraska, 1966) (5th season) overall (5th season) at Nebraska 1-1 vs. Texas A&M 2-2 in bowl games Texas A&M: R.C. Slocum (McNeese State, 1967) (14th season) overall (14th season) at Texas A&M 1-2 vs. Nebraska 3-8 in bowl games Nebraska Quick Hits -Nebraska fell to 5-3, 1-2 Big 12 Conference, with a loss at Oklahoma State last Saturday. It was OSU s first win against Nebraska since the 1961 season. -NU hopes to stop a streak of five straight road losses since a win at Kansas last season. The last time NU lost five straight road games was in the 1958 season. -True freshmen accounted for 204 of Nebraska s 369 yard total offense against Oklahoma State last weekend. -Nebraska is 1-2 in conference play for the first time since the 1968 season. Texas A&M Quick Hits -Texas A&M improved to 5-2, 2-1 Big 12 Conference, with a win at Kansas last weekend. The Aggies amassed a school record 428 yards passing in the game. -A&M ranks fourth nationally in yards allowed per completion at Additionally, the Aggies lead the Big 12 and are tied for third nationally with 15 interceptions this season. -Since losing a overtime game to Texas Tech, Texas A&M has picked up two conference road wins at Baylor and at Kansas in the past two weeks. -A&M has lost just 10 games at Kyle Field in the 14 years under head coach R.C. Slocum. Nebraska Key Individuals Jammal Lord, Jr., Quarterback -Has rushed for 70 or more yards in six of eight games this season with 73 yards at Oklahoma State last week. -Has thrown for at least 100 yards in five games this season. Philip Bland, So., Rover -Is second on the team with 44 total tackles, four TFL, four pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovered. -Posted a career-high 10 tackles at Oklahoma State last weekend and has nine-plus tackles in two of his last three games. Kyle Larson, Jr., Punter -Averaged 37.7 yards on six punts at OSU yet pinned the Cowboys inside their 20 on three occasions. -Ranks 25th in the nation with a 42.2 yard average and has pinned the opposition inside its times this season. Texas A&M Key Individuals Dustin Long, So., Quarterback -Threw for a school-record 399 yards and three touchdowns in the win against Kansas last week. -Is the fastest A&M QB to reach 1,000 yards and had seven TD passes against Texas Tech earlier this season. Jamar Taylor, Jr., Wide Receiver -Has three 100-yards receiving games this season which included 131 against Kansas last week. -Ranks third in the Big 12 with 87.4 yards receiving per game in Sammy Davis Jr., Sr., Cornerback -A two-time all-conference performer who is the Big 12 leader in career interceptions with 11. -Has started 33 career games, which includes the last 31 straight. Jim Rose, Adrian Fiala and Gary Sharp on the Nebraska Radio Network; Dave South, Kevin Smith and Steve Miller on the Texas A&M Radio Network; Ron Thulin, Charles Davis, Craig Sager, and Erin Andrews on the TBS Superstation telecast. Ticket information is available via the Texas A&M web site at or by calling AGGIE.