The Manhattan Mercury from Manhattan, Kansas • 9

ports The Manhattan Mercury Thursday, December 3, 1992 Bl V. Cat enj oying Mendez and Snyder on coaches9 team life in Tokyo 1 I x. AP Laser Photo W.Blake Gray Special to the Mercury TOKYO Soipetimes in the wee hours between Wednesday night and Thursday morning, Carol Masters received a phone call from her son J. Carol, who lives in Grand Prairie, Texas, is probably used to getting long-distance phone calls from J. She worries when he flies long distances.

This phone call was, in some ways, like others: "I'm OK. A little low on money. You know how expensive everything is. We had practice today. We've got to play Nebraska this weekend." Et cetera.

But there are a few things J. can tell his mom about this road trip that they just don't have in Norman, or Boulder, Colo. "I was amazed at seeing so many buildings and cars," the Wildcats' safety said, after i I KSU's Eric Gallon is flanked by two Japanese football fans after the Wildcats' initial workout. 'Cats, 'Huskers arrive in Tokyo Associated Press Stigge: It's a dream come true9 Mark Janssen iirirJ unimaginative. Simpson said the Chiefs never would reach the Super Bowl with Schotten-heimer's offense.

Schottenheimer brushed off Simpson's remarks. "They don't pay me to be imaginative," Schottenheimer said at his weekly news briefing Tuesday after he was asked about Simpson's comments. "They don't pay me to be creative. They pay me to win. They pay J.

to talk about things like this." likely have to Bowl against Penn "We're not over Jim Scott. "We're important to us." "We've got to Travis Hill. "Nebraska has Masters. "Our because for most game." Nebraska will Derek Brown, the separated his last week. Backup also be slowed same game.

"We have two said coach Osborne important game "This has been ever tried to won't translate settle for a slot in the Blockbuster State. here to just sightseer" said center here to play a football game. It's win this game," said linebacker a bowl game left," said safety C.J. team is going to go out and play hard of us it is going to be our last have to make do without I-back Big Eight player of the year, who shoulder in a game against Oklahoma fullback Andre McDuffy may by an ankle injury suffered in the or three players playing banged -up," Tom Osborne. "It's been a long season." expressed doubts about playing such an so far away from home.

one of the strangest games I've prepare for," he said. "I just hope it into trouble on the field." TOKYO Bringing a football team to Japan is terrific, Kansas State coach Bill Snyder said Thursday. The only problem is that it has to play 11th-ranked Nebraska before it can go home. "It's a great opportunity to experience the Japanese culture," Snyder said afterhisteam's first workout in Tokyo, where it arrived Wednesday night. "Unfortunately, we have to play a ball game here later on." But, he added, even that prospect isn't all bad.

"If we have to play Nebraska, it's best to play them as far away from the continental United States as possible." Kansas State, wrapping up a season that is 5-5 so far, meets Nebraska (8-2) in Sunday's Coca Cola Bowl at the Tokyo Dome. Though the Cornhuskers are the heavy favorites, both sides have strong reasons for wanting to win. For Nebraska, victory in Tokyo will clinch not only the Big Eight conference championship, but also a berth in the Orange Bowl. A loss would give Colorado the title and the trip to play in the Miami game on New Year's night Nebraska would then Schottenheimer: 'They pay me to win Associated Press KANSAS CITY, Mo. Nebraska offensive tackle Will Shields and Kansas kicker Dan Eichloff were named for the third time to the All-Big Eight team selected by coaches.

Seven other players were named to the team for the second straight year. There were 14 players on the offensive team and 16 on the defensive team because of ties. The team was announced Wednesday. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own players. From the Wildcats, Jaime Mendez and Sean Snyder won first team positions, while Quentin Neujahr, Eric Gallon, Brooks Barta and C.J.

Masters were second team honorees. Named to the first team offense were wide receivers Michael Westbrook of Colorado and Victor Bailey of Missouri; tight end Dwayne Chandler of Kansas; tackles Keith Loneker of Kansas and Zach Weigert of Nebraska; guards Mike Bedosky ofMissouri, John Jones of Kansas and Shields; center Jim Scott of Nebraska; quarterback Chip Hil-leary of Kansas; running backs Derek Brown and Calvin Jones of Nebraska; Eichloff; and return man James McMillion of I- State. Named to the first team defense were outside linebackers Chad Brown and Ron Wool-fork of Colorado and Trev Alberts of Nebraska; down linemen Dana Stubblefield of Kansas, John Parrella of Nebraska and Leonard Renfro of Col- SEAN SNYDER orado; inside linebackers Greg Biekert of Colorado and Keith Burns of Oklahoma State: defensive backs Chris Hudson, Ronnie Bradford and Deon Figures of Colorado and Kwamie Lassiter of Kansas, Mark DouBrava of Iowa State, Mendez of Kansas State and Darnell Walker of Oklahoma; and punter Snyder of K- State. Named to the second team offense were wide receivers Kenny Holly of Missouri and Charles Johnson of Colorado; tight end Christian Fauria of Colorado; tackles Jim Hansen of Oklahoma, Lance Lundberg of Nebraska and Doug Skartvedt of Iowa State; guard Jeff Resler of Oklahoma; center Neujahr of Kansas State; quarterback Kordell Stewart of Colorado; running backs Gallon of Kansas State and Maurice Douglas of Kansas; and kickers Scott Blanton of Oklahoma and JeffJacke of MU. Named to the second team defense were outside linebacker Travis Hill of Nebraska; down linemen Gilbert Brown and Chris Maumalanga of Kansas and Dan Watkins of Iowa State; inside linebackers Barta of Kansas State, Mike Coats of Oklahoma and Malcolm Goodwin of Iowa State; defensive backs Tyrone Byrd of Nebraska and Masters of Kansas State and punter Mitch Berger of Colorado.

Shootout says Manhattan may intimidate them a little bit. Our experience should be a plus for us in that first game." If Manhattan beats Colby, Garden City is a likely opponent in a semfinal game. "It's a balanced tournament" Taylor said. "I dont think there's a favorite. We have as good as chance to win as anybody." Hays Shootout BOYS First round Al Fllm Middle Stkeol MHS vs Colby 4 Thomas More Prep vj Garden City.

7 30 ra Al rUyj Huh Scbaal Kearney ts Norton. 5 to Hays vs Abi lene 815pm GIRLS AlFflieHMkSckl MHSv Colby 45 Thoroaj More Garden City. 15 At Hav Hie School Keamevvi Norton, 4 Hays vt Abilene vi Hays, 7 30 m. Kansas State's first practice in Tokyo on Thursday morning. "I'm used to America being much more spread out.

Everything's so busy here." Some little touches of Japan, like the women elevator operators in kimonos at the Wildcats' hotel who bow every time a customer passes, have been less surprising to the players than others. J. was impressed by the bright neon lights and the ever-present automated devices, like subway ticket vending machines and recorded announcements telling people when to cross the street. "They're more modernized here than we are in America," he said. "I noticed how clean everything is over here.

How business-oriented everything is. We've got to be polite, because everybody's polite to us." Running back J.J. Smith was. See No. 1, Page B2 MIKE STIGGE but I've been consistent." If there's anything that has hurt Stigge's average it's not enough game experience.

In 40 games, he's punted only 164 times, or four times per game. In comparison, Kansas State's Sean Snyder has averaged 7.5 punts per game this fall. "That would give me a sore leg," laughed Stigge. "Last year I didn't punt once in the first two games. As long as the team is doing great, that's all I care about." Stigge says the Washington home folks have been great backers since his Nebraska decision, but he added, "They did give me a little hard time last year with the way Dan Eichloff.

(Kansas) punted and the way Sean Snyder is punting this year. They say things like, 'Those Kansas boys are beating But it's all in fun." Those Stigge-fans have more to puff up about than football as he's been a two-time winner of ail-American academic honors and a four-time recipient of aca-demic honors from the Big Eight. Stigge recently was granted an $18,000 fellowship award from the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame. This week, Stigge has been studying the culture of Japan. Having fun, but he assures, "We'll be ready to play.

The Iowa State game (a 19-10 loss) taught us a pretty good lesson. We know to win the Big Eight and go to the Orange Bowl, we'll have to play well. It's a big game for us." KAN5ASST4.TE14l S'arv NsL4.fr. Keilv Moyian tr 'J -r iwrua. 2 to Leah Honey 1ft sr.

Mianeie Sure 511. o. .1., ji m.i.111 iiji uiBMHmmmmi.mmmmmthimmm 'v. i al Schottenheimer is a firm believer that the running game must be established. He has built the Chiefs around a huge offensive line and has bruising running backs in Barry Word and Christian Okoye and a speedier back in Harvey Williams.

Schottenheimer acknowledged the Chiefs' offense is predictable. A series starts with a 1 running play between the tackles virtually every time, and Schot- SeeNo.2,PageB2 Associated Press KANSAS CITY, Mo. Marty Schottenheimer is used to criticism of the Kansas City Chiefs grind-it-out, run-oriented offense. Bill Walsh, a commentator for NBC last year, was critical, and Chiefs fans have burned up the air waves on radio call-in shows. This time it was former NFL great OJ.

Simpson, who said on the NBC halftime show Sunday that the Chiefs' offense was Mizzou gives Associated Press Who would have ever thought it; Mike Stigge, out of tiny 2A Washington High School, now playing for the Nebraska Corn-huskers half-way around the world in Tokyo, Japan. "It's been a dream come true, for sure," said Stigge, who played his prep ball in the Blue Valley League for the Tigers. "I didn't really follow Nebraska as a kid. I just knew they (NU) were great and won all the time. Now, to play for them for four yeah, it's a dream come true." Stigge, who hopes to transfer to Kansas State nextyear to pursue his dream of being a veterinarian, continued, "Being a Nebraska football player is something to be proud of.

There's a tradition that when you go out, you have to be the best. Play your hardest and be the best." In Stigge's days, Nebraska has been the best in 36 out of the 46 games he has played with the 'Huskers, which includes this 8-2 season. Out of the four teams, Stigge says it's a tough call to say which team was best. "We've had great athletes in the past, but as a group of players, I think this team is more unified and is the best team." Stigge was a solid enough quarterback-punter three years with over a 40-yard punting average at Washington High under coach Alan Bean that he decided to take a look at NU by enrolling in its summer camp. "Pretty soon after that I got a call (from NU) to walkon," related Stigge, who won 11 letters with the Tigers.

"I was happy as can be just to do that." It's now five years later, with the 6-2, 190-pounder, now on scholarship, being the veteran of bowl appearances in the Fiesta, Citrus and Orange and with respective season punting averages of 39.7, 41.4 and 42.0. This year, Stigge owns a 43.7 punting mean on 50 punts, which puts his career average at 41.87. With two games remaining in his career, that average puts him ahead of the Nebraska school record of 41.5 yards held byJackPesek in 1945-47. "I'm pleased with what I've done," Stigge said. "I've never had the 46- or 47-type average, Stull two-year extension A press release announcing the extension notes that 13 starters return next season and the Tigers have made "unprecedented" academic strides under Stull.

When Stull took over, Mizzou had 58 players with under a 2.0 grade-point average. After the spring semester, there were six. Missouri developed a high-powered passing attack this year with sophomore quarterback Jeff Handy at the controls. The Tigers struggled on defense, although the team made vast improvement over the year before. Defense coordinator Don Lindsey had been "offered a similar job at Clemson, but Lindsey said he turned down the job Monday night.

"Extending Bob's contract insures the continuity we so badly needed," Devine said. "Winning the last two games, Don Lindsey deciding to stay as defensive coordinator, the attitude of the squad, the tremendous number of support letters I received from parents, have combined to give me the same feeling of enthusiasm I had when I took this job." Stewart is close to his 500th victory at the school and his 600th overall. He is the fourth-winningest active coach. Stewart's teams have averaged 21 wins a season since 1972 and have won seven Big Eight championships. "I'm hopeful we can put the issue of Norm's contract to rest before he gets into the meat of his schedule," Devine said.

COLUMBIA, Mo. The Missouri Tigers suffered their ninth straight losing campaign this year, but consecutive victories over Kansas State and Kansas apparently were enough to win football coach Bob Stull a two-year contract extension. Stull has the same record, 12-31-1, that resulted in the dismissal of his predecessor, Woody same stage of his contract Athletic director Dan Devine said Wednesday the extension was worked out in a meeting with Devine and Missouri chancellor Charles Kiesler. Devine and Kiesler also discussed basketball coach Norm Stewart, and Devine said the university and Stewart were close to reaching agreement on a five-year contract. "The chancellor agreed with my recommendations regarding Bob Stull," Devine said.

"Now the university attorneys will draw it up in legal form. In Norm's case, I think an agreement is imminent" Stull had one year left on his original five-year contract but now is signed through 1995. The Tigers were 3-8 this season but the NCAA rated Stull's schedule one of the most difficult in the country. Devine credited Stull with improving the academic performance, retention and graduation rates of his players. opens with Colby at Hays Lady Cats host Northern Iowa The Kansas State women's basketball team meets the Northern Iowa Panthers tonight in the first meeting between the two programs.

The Lady Cats, 1-0, had a balanced attackTuesday in theirvic-tory over Missouri-Rolla. Leah Honeycutt (19 points), Kelly Moylan (17), Andrea O'Neal (12) and Shanele SUres (11) scored in double figures. The Panthers, 0-1, lost 57-41 Tuesday to Missouri Kansas City in Kansas City. Chris Robbins led Northern Iowa with 14 points. Terri Lasswell, a Kansas State assistant toMaltilda Mossman in 1986-89, is the Northern Iowa head coach.

The Lady Cats continue their seven-game homestand on Saturday, when they host Lafayette at 5 p.m. Manhattan Steve Rottinghaus Sports Writer For the fourth consecutive year, the Manhattan High boys and girls basketball teams open the season at the Hays Shootout. Both teams beginthe three-day tournament on Thursday against Colby. The MHS boys play Colby at 4 p.m. at Felten Middle School.

The girls play Colby at 5 45 p.m. at Felten. The MHS boys and girls placed second in the tournament last season, both losing to Pampa, in the championship game. Pampa is not entered in the tournament this season. "I think it's more balanced this year than ever before," said MHS girls coach Bill Congleton, whose team lost to Pampa 58-34 in the final game last season.

"It's a fun way for us to start We get three games right away and spend some time as a team together and it should be a good experience for us." Congleton plans to start his tallest lineup of Sarah Weigel (6-U Kady Aslin (5-11), Kendra Bredesen (5-11), Jami Colley (59) and Laura Taylor (5 9) on Thursday. Ten players will make the trip to Hays and all 10 will play, according to Congleton. "We'll have to see how we can run the floor over a period of time," Congleton said. "1 think we've got enough depth to take care of fatigue. Any time you go to Hays for three games in a row, you're running on dead legs." In the boys tournament Taylor plans to use 10-11 players throughout the Hays tournament "We'll play them all nearly the same amount of time if we can," saidTaylor, whose team lost 76-54 to Pampa in the final game last year.

Mark Chan, Jason Barth, Preston Barton, Monzell Blake and Wade Sterling the mostxpe-rienced players are expected to start Colby, Manhattan's first round opponent, finished fourth last year in Hays. "I feel like we hav a chance in the opening game against Colby." Taylor said. "We have a chance to gain some confidence with a solid win. I hope the fact that our shirt I Probable starters RT ERN 10W A t-lj Trsol ii Nuki thru Kebbint.e-l.jr. Ann Milier.M r.

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