Friday • October 17, 1997
S The Battalion
PORTS
biggies, Wildcats ready to rumble in Kansas
By Jeff Schmidt
Staff Writer
■
Bi 11 Snyder can walk on water. Bill Sny-
erpan part the Red Sea. Bill Snyder can
tiange the rotation of the Earth. How do
know Kansas State Head Football Coach
ill jknyder can do all of these things? Any-
ody who can turn the Kansas State Foot-
alllTeam into a perennial Top 25 team
lust be a miracle worker.
' ■Snyder is responsible for what may be
onBidered the greatest turnaround in col-
:ge football history. From doormat to dom-
lator. The numbers are staggering: the
dkjlcats have been playing football for 102
ears but only have five 9+win seasons. Four
f the )se came under the Snyder administra-
on. In the previous four seasons before
nyper took over the Wildcats were 3-40; af-
jr he came, the Wildcats are 59-37-1. He
Dok KSU to their first ever New Year’s Day
lowl game—the 1997 Cotton Bowl. In 1991
evvas named National Coach of the Year by
iSPN. In 1994 CNN named him their Na-
onal Coach of the Year. His 59 career wins
ini in' seasons is more than all of KSU’s vic-
iriks from 1971 to 1988. KSU is just one of
ix schools in the country to win at least nine
amt s each season from 1993-1996.
■pThe Texas A&M Football team has their
rork cut out for them this weekend as they
ravel to Manhattan, Kansas to play the
Oth ranked Wildcats. Last season, the
Vildcats stole a victory at Kyle Field from
tie Aggies. KSU jumped to a 20-3 halftime
sad, but A&M stormed back to within
three points. With less than a minute left
in the game the Aggies marched down the
field for the go-ahead score but KSU de
fensive back Chris Canty (now with the
New England Patriots) stripped the ball
from A&M receiver Albert Connell. The
Wildcats recovered the ball. The come
back was over.
The Aggies may face a more difficult
time this season. Kansas State has the
fifth-winningest home record in college
football during the 1990s. Texas A&M
Head Football Coach R.C. Slocum, who
coached the KSU freshman team in 1970
and 1971, says that this will be the Aggies
toughest game yet.
“I don’t have any question that they’re
the best team we’ll play,” Slocum said.
“They’re well coached and they play hard.”
Running back Dante Hall agrees with
Slocum’s assessment.
“They might be the best team we’ll
play. We’re looking forward to a chal
lenge,” Hall said.
Kansas State’s offensive line averages 316
pounds per man. This may pose a problem
for the relatively undersized Aggie defensive
line. They only average 276 pounds. But
don’t expect the Aggies to be scared off by
numbers. Defensive line coach Bill Johnson
expects the Aggies to get after it.
“You could say that we’ve been mis
matched every week. We’re going to go out
and by to play good technique football, play
hard, keep our pads down and execute,”
Johnson said. “They may be big in size but
I guarantee we’ve got to step on them.”
The offensive line will have to protect
quarterback Michael Bishop. Bishop, who
played at Willis High School and led Blinn
College to consecutive national champi
onships, has the strength to run over
would-be ladders and the arm to keep de
fenses honest.
A&M Defensive Coordinator Mike Han-
kwitz is concerned by Bishop’s mobility.
“You’ve got the threat of him always
running the ball. He’ll take off at any time
if the rush opens up and all of a sudden
you have a heck of a runner. We have to
know where he is,” Hankwitz said.
Kansas State has a stellar linebacking
corps lead by two former conference de
fensive freshman of the year in Travis Ochs
and Mark Simoneau. They have helped
Kansas State garner the second best de
fense in the Big 12 (behind Texas A&M).
Despite the impressive accolades that
Kansas State has received, quarterback
Randy McCown is taking this game in stride.
“We’re preparing just like it’s any other
game,” McCown said.
Dante Hall puts the Big 12 race in per
spective.
“If we lose, we lose. If we win, we win.
We still have five games left to be played. I
don’t think this game is do or die,” Hall said.
Defensive lineman Zerick Rollins is just
ready to get it on.
“We’re just going to go out and execute
and do what we’ve been doing. All we have
to do is swarm around Bishop. If we con
tinue to do that, I don’t see us having any
problems,” Rollins said.
DAVE HOUSE/The Battalion
Junior safety Rich Coady and sophomore safety Brandon Jennings close in on an ISU receiver.
rr
l-PMD
Bishop finally getting chance to shine at Kansas St.
By Jamie Burch
StaffWriter
P aul Bunyan is known as a fictitious
lumberjack who was fabled to cut
down trees with a single mighty
chop. While dragging his ax in a fit of de
pression, Bunyan created the Grand
Canyon and the Rocky Mountains were
formed when he battled his companion
Babe the Blue Ox. ... Or is that Kansas
State quarterback Michael Bishop?
Against the University of Missouri,
Bishop leveled a Tiger linebacker in
the open field to gain a few extra
yards. Bishop finished the day with
two touchdowns and 196 yards on
the ground.
K-State coach Bill Snyder would
rather downplay the accomplish
ments of his phenom field general.
“He’s an aggressive runner
when he runs,” Snyder said. “I
don’t know that he really flat
tened a linebacker. It’s not a Paul
Bunyan story. He’s another good
player in college football who’s
trying to improve himself. He doesn’t do su
pernatural things.”
Well maybe Bishop is not Paul Bunyan, but
supernatural he is.
Bishop spent his first two seasons at Blinn Ju
nior College in Brenham. He led the Bugs to a 24-
0 record and two consecutive National Champi
onships. In 1995, he was named the Texas Junior
College Football Conference Offensive Player of
the Year. Bishop gained over 3,000 yards of total
offense in his short JUCO career.
Through five games at the Division I-A lev
el, Bishop is 4-1. His only loss came at the helm
of the No. 3 Nebraska Cornhuskers which own
the nation’s top-ranked offense.
Texas A&M coach R.C. Slocum, who spent
two years as a college coach in Lawrence, Kan.,
said Bishop poses the biggest threat the Aggies
will have to face all year.
“He’s a big physical running back playing
quarterback,” Slocum said. “He can break
tackles and make you miss him. We will not
play against a single player this season, in any
one of our games, who will cause us any more
concern than Bishop.”
Slocum’s concern is blindingly evident. Bish
op is averaging 130 yards a game in the air and
65 yards via the ground. In addition to his al
most 200 yard rushing performance against
Missouri, Bishop threw a 44-yard touchdown
pass in the 41-11 win. His performance against
Mizzou made him only the fifth Wildcat quar
terback to rush for more than 100 yards in a
game and the first to do so since 1984.
Aggie defensive coordinator Mike Han
kwitz said Bishop reminds him of a certain
Pittsburgh Steeler quarterback who he
coached at the University of Colorado.
“(Against Missouri) he throws the ball 68
yards and he didn’t even get his feet set,” Han
kwitz said. “His speed reminds me of Kordell
Stewart, but he’s a more aggressive runner than
Kordell. He’s got a toughness about him.
“He isn’t going to shy away from contact.
He’s gonna make you tackle him. Plus, you’ve
got the threat of him always running the ball.”
The elusive Bishop is similar to Stewart in
more ways than one. Just like the versatile
‘Slash,’ Bishop can run, throw and punt.
Against Missouri, Bishop pitched in on special
teams, booting a punt 37 yards.
None of these supernatural accomplishments
seem to make Snyder gawk in amazement.
“When you’ve been coaching for a long
time,” Snyder said, “You don’t get surprised
by anything.”
Snyder may not be amazed, but he is defi
nitely taken aback by all the attention his
young quarterback is receiving. Following
Kansas State’s contest with Missouri, Bishop,
the Fox Sports Player of the Game, was stopped
by the television crew for an interview. Before
Bishop was thrust into the lights of the camera,
Snyder grabbed him and denied the interview.
Snyder also forbade Bishop from attending the
team’s post-game press conference, and the
KSU coach has gone as far as banning all me
dia from Bishop because he said he feels there
are other players, especially four year starters,
who deserve the recognition.
But unlike his elder tutor, Bishop is han
dling his newfound fame like a veteran.
“He handles it well,” Snyder said. “He’s a very
humble young guy. Humility is a virtue for him.
He’s a team-oriented guy. He’s personable, his
teammates like him, enjoy being around him,
and like his guidance and leadership.”
Whether or not he is a fictitious, supernatur
al lumberjack, one thing is for certain. The
‘Wrecking Crew’ is in for a long afternoon unless
it remembers to bring some Kryptonite along.
Iross Country hosts A&M Invitational
By Jeff Webb
Staff writer
■ This Saturday, the Texas A&M
Cross Country team will get a little
home cooking when they host the
fwlxas A&M Invitational which fea-
pres numerous teams from the
Jlgh school and university ranks.
J “It’s the largest meet of its kind in
pfe Southwest,” said cross country
Coach Greg Hinze. “I think it’s grown
every year, but I’m not necessarily of
g|e opinion that bigger is better. As
‘long as we can pull the numbers we
have, I think it’s a positive thing.”
j The men’s team is looking for pos-
|ves right now after struggling
rough a Furman Pre-NCAA Meet
at saw them place 21st. The women
coming off a high note after fin-
ting sixth in the unseeded race. The
ml tuneup at home before jumping
|to the Regional and conference
meets should be helpful.
“There is no question the finish we
had last week was not an indication of
how good the team is. Sooner or lat
er, we’ll have to learn how to beat
those teams.” said Coach Hinze. “But
we have to beat the teams in our re
gion to qualify for regionals.”
The Invitational will feature 11 di
visions and will begin at 8 a.m. with
the university divisions beginning at
9:50 a.m. It will be held at the Texas
A&M University Golf Course. Johnny
Andrews, head of the golf course, has
allowed the golf course to be painted
so it will be sufficiently visible. While
home field advantage isn’t as much of
a factor, it can provide minor advan
tages concerning travel.
“Last week was the biggest meet
we’ve ever been to. This meet has
been the biggest one in the past,”
said senior Kari Wyatt. “I feel more
comfortable on this course than any
other. We can tell our friends to
come out and support us. I get to
sleep in my own bed.”
Having high school teams com
pete in the event also boosts A&M
recruiting. Many of the high schools
competing this weekend feature
athletes that are considering A&M as
their school of choice.
“We’ve gotten a lot of people in
the past that have never been to
campus before,” said Coach Hinze.
“They get a chance to see the school.
Many will be staying and doing their
visits this weekend.”
Hopes are high that due to the
immense amount of press, the
turnout of spectators will be high.
“I keep telling them, you just
have to give people a reason and
they’ll come out. Everybody loves a
winner,” said Coach Hinze. “With
this not being a home football week
end, I am expecting a good turnout.”
olleyball set for big weekend
By Travis V. Dabney
Staff writer
Bln what is no doubt the biggest
weekend of Big 12 Volleyball play to
date, all four of the conferences
tanked teams will meet on the court
on Friday and Saturday to determine
who are the pretenders and who are
the contenders.
■■The 9th ranked Nebraska Corn
huskers will visit the 11th ranked Uni
versity of Texas on Friday night and
then head for G. Rollie White Colise
um to face the 12th ranked Texas A&M
Aggies. The Cornhuskers seem to have
fall en on some hard times as they have
lost two straight matches to Colorado
and Oklahoma.
■ Texas A&M coach Laurie Corbelli
doesn’t seem ready to throw in the tow
el for Nebraska just quite yet though.
■ “Those losses could be very mis
leading,” Corbelli said, “They might
be down right now but they are a very
mature team and mature teams
come back with even more determi
nation after suffering tough losses
like Nebraska has.”
■ While the Cornhuskers have
struggled over the past two games,
Nebraska coach Terry Pettit seemed
confident that his team would re
gain their old form.
“I think our players are eager to play
teams of that level (Texas and Texas
A&M) and prove to themselves and to
other people that we can still have a
great volleyball team.”
Colorado on the other hand seems
poised to make their own serious run
at the Big 12 title. The Buffaloes have
won six straight
matches including
victories over Ne
braska and Okla
homa. The Buffs
will face the Aggies
in College Station
on Friday night and
then travel to Austin
to face Texas on Sat
urday night.
“Colorado is
such a well bal
anced team,” Corbelli said, “Every
one they have seems to do some
thing really well.”
Colorado will present a number of
problems for the Aggies this weekend
according to Corbelli.
“They play great defense and
Mensik
they dig really well, they will also
give you a variety of serves to throw
you out of your rhythm, they are
just a very good team.
The new Colorado head coach Pi’i
Aiu also seems to have injected some
spark into the buffaloes game accord
ing to Corbelli.
“Last year at times Colorado just did
not seem to want to play, but that is def
initely not the case this year,” Corbelli
said, “They are really playing with a lot
of enthusiasm and desire this season.”
Colorado could come into this
weekend’s match against the Aggies
looking for a bit of revenge from last
season. The Aggies swept the Buffs 3-
0 in both matches last season.
Coach Corbelli seems to think this
is a big weekend for her team.
“This is the biggest weekend of vol
leyball for us to date and it falls at a
great time for us,” Corbelli said, “We
are at home, and we are playing with a
lot of confidence and the experience
our team has never hurts.”
“I don’t make predictions on the
outcomes of games but I will predict
that the team who plays the most pa
tient and consistent volleyball will win
the matches.”
Driving Force
Senior Miguel del Angel focuses on final college year
By Jason Whitcomb
Staffwriter
I t seems that everyone in the world knows
about Earl and Tiger Woods and their com
bined effort at breeding the most acclaimed
golfer in the history of the game. Now, it is time
for everyone at Texas A&M to know about senior
golfer Miguel del Angel, and the influence he re
ceived from his father in McAllen, Texas.
Del Angel did not pick up a golf club until he was
10 years old. His dad would not even let him play
on a course until he was able to establish himself at
the driving range. Finally, at the age of 12, del An
gel got serious about golf and it has paid off.
Last year, del Angel was an honorable mention
All-American after tying for first place at the NCAA
Central Regional. Prior to the Regional, del Angel
ran a string of five straight top 10 finishes in a row.
He has also finished several games under 70 shots,
a tremendous accomplishment to those of you
who do not know much about the game.
“Miguel has turned into an incredible leader,”
said Assistant Coach John Knauer. “He does
all the little things that can impact
the whole team. Its not like he
gets up in the van and gives an
emotional speech, but its how
he goes out on the course and
takes care of business.”
Yet, behind all of his accomplish
ments, del Angel exhibits a quiet,
unassuming personality and chooses
to lead with his play, not with his
mouth. He is very humble and always
looking to give credit to his team
mates, who are also his best friends.
Despite his extreme success as a
collegiate golfer, del Angel claims
that his greatest accomplishment
in golf is when he beat his father in
the summer before his freshman
year in high school.
On the course, del Angel does
not pay attention to distractions
or statistics. He just focuses on
the complex game of golf from a
shot-by-shot perspective.
“When I am out there, I don’t
think about the team and I don’t U|
think about myself,” said del Angel. “I only think
about the shot I am going to hit. I only worry
about focusing on that particular shot and then
seeing where we stand afterward.”
Recently, at the Missouri Bluffs Intercollegiate,
del Angel found himself among the leaders, along
with teammate, junior Ty Cox. Cox ended up fin
ishing fourth and del Angel tied for sixth, but that
was only the statistical result the highly competitive
relationship between del Angel and his teammates.
“We love beating each other’s brains in,” said del
Angel. “We are all very close, but are also very com
petitive. Everyone wants to be the big dog and show
everyone else what they can do. I think that the
competition is great. That’s what it is all about.”
His competitiveness, dedication, and ability to
focus on the game gives del Angel the unique op
portunity to pursue a future in golf. Del Angel sees
himself as a professional golfer. He feels like he
has the game and experience that is
necessary to handle that kind of
competition.
“I want to make the pro tour and
be successful at it,” said del Angel. “I
just don’t want to go out there and
struggle. I want to be one of the top
players one day.”
As far as Tiger
Woods is con
cerned, del
Angel feels
that he has
had a great
impact on the
game. Woods has also had a direct
impact on del Angel and some of the
other Aggie golfers.
“Tiger has especially had a great influ
ence on us because we have with played
him and some of us have even beat him at
times,” said del Angel. “It was really fun play
ing with him, especially when one of us beat
him in a round or played close with him
§| throughout a tournament. It gives us so
much confidence in our game to see him
do so well. His effect on all the college
golfers has been tremendous.”
Who knows, maybe one day kids all
around the world will be saying “I am
Miguel del Angel”.
. """