Jayhawks Return 16 Starters As They Build For Big 12 Future

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) _ Talk about bush league _ at Kansas, practice is a road trip. <br/><br/>Players don their uniforms in one place and then ride a bus to Memorial Stadium, sometimes taking more than

Tuesday, August 28th 2007, 2:27 pm

By: News On 6

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) _ Talk about bush league _ at Kansas, practice is a road trip.

Players don their uniforms in one place and then ride a bus to Memorial Stadium, sometimes taking more than 20 minutes.

That's no small thing in the hectic life of a college football player juggling the demands of practice, conditioning, classes, team meetings, study hall and maybe even an occasional date.

``People don't understand,'' said running back Jake Sharp. ``During the school year, half an hour of your day can make a big difference.''

But if the Jayhawks can just hold tight, relief from such peonage is on the way. Arising day-by-day on the southwest side of Memorial Stadium is the Anderson Family Football Complex. Barring delays, the $31 million project will be ready by 2008 for the Jayhawks' grateful players and coaches.

It's unlikely to cause jealousy among Big 12 rivals Texas, Nebraska or Oklahoma, whose facilities bring comparisons with the NFL.

But Kansas' new complex will be an enormous, much-needed upgrade and possibly go a long way toward erasing decades of mediocrity. It'll include coaching offices, academic areas, locker rooms, meeting rooms, a cardio room and just about everything else a college program needs for entry into the big time.

It might even entice a few more blue-chip prospects _ which is what Kansas really needs if it's ever going to compete for a Big 12 title.

``This place is going to be awesome,'' said linebacker Mike Rivera. ``It's just another sign that football at Kansas is on the rise.''

The improved facilities are something Mark Mangino began lobbying for almost immediately when he became head coach six years ago. But pleased as he is to see his dream coming true, he's smart enough not to gush.

``As college football evolves, there will always be something,'' he said. ``Everybody comes up with different ideas to keep their competitive edge. It will be a great place to train our players, and it will be a great recruiting tool.

``It's not going to bring instant championships or anything like that. We've got to earn those.''

A quarterback breakthrough, a few lucky bounces and a favorable schedule, however, could send the Jayhawks sailing into their new digs next year on the heels of a winning season, and maybe even a rare bowl appearance.

There are some big holes to fill.

Gone is Big 12 rushing leader Jon Cornish, who was mainly responsible for Kansas ranking fourth in the conference and 19th in the nation with a rushing average of almost 177 yards. But Mangino returns 16 starters and 33 lettermen from last year's 6-6 squad and may have the league's finest cornerback in junior Aqib Talib.

Fast and physical, Talib led the Big 12 with six interceptions in 2006 and was first in the nation with 2.80 passes defended. His 22 pass breakups also topped the Big 12 and helped make him universally acknowledged as one of the nation's leading defensive backs.

``He just shuts down that quarter of the field,'' said Kerry Meier, who's battling Todd Reesing to hold onto his job as starting quarterback.

Meier started eight games last year before injury forced him to the sideline and persuaded coaches to remove the redshirt from Reesing. Now Reesing, who has slimmed down his sturdy 5-foot-10 frame, is threatening to unseat the taller, more experienced Meier.

``Reesing has made some strides,'' Mangino said. ``A lot of it has to do with the fact that he's probably dropped 20 pounds, and he's gained a lot of strength, and he's zipping the ball with more spin than he ever has.''

Whoever wins the job will face one of the league's friendliest schedules. Kansas' first four games are at home. The Jayhawks won't even leave the state until they go to Colorado on Oct. 20.

They miss Texas and Oklahoma. They've got Nebraska at home and play rival Missouri in Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium, the first game in a two-year experiment that may become permanent.

``We are a very good team, but good is the enemy of great,'' said sophomore safety Darrell Stuckey. ``For us to be a great team, we have to consistently go into each game with a goal and be on the same page. We cannot afford to have the links on our team who do not want to perform to the best of their ability and have excuses.''