Taming the ‘Kats

University of Kansas football faced the season’s first ranked opponent last week, playing the University of South Florida. Today, the Jayhawks resume their regular diet of cupcake and cream-puff opponents outside the Big 12 Conference. This week’s victim for the Jayhawks: the Sam Houston State University Bearkats. That isn’t a typo, that’s seriously how it’s spelled. If the Bearkats somehow strike fear into the hearts of football fans, they shouldn’t. The Huntsville, Texas, school competes in the NCAA Division I Championship Subdivision, essentially college athletics-speak for what amounts to a junior varsity opponent for a major conference team. It’s the Jayhawks’ last tune-up before Big 12 conference play starts against Iowa State on October 4. Today’s game starts at 6 p.m. at Memorial Stadium (11th and Main streets) in Lawrence. Tickets cost $40. See kuathletics.com for more information.

Sat., Sept. 20, 6 p.m., 2008