The Mario Kinsey football/basketball conundrum suddenly is as clear as mud.
Kinsey, Kansas University’s true freshman quarterback from Waco, Texas, fully expects to travel Saturday to Columbia, Mo., for KU’s Big 12 football meeting with Missouri.
A guard who will walk on to the KU basketball team, Kinsey does not expect to participate in Friday’s Late Night With Roy Williams season-opening extravaganza.
But KU football coach Terry Allen said Tuesday he didn’t see the need to take Kinsey to the Tigers’ lair backing off a statement as early as last week that Kinsey could take part in Late Night, then high-tail it to Columbia.
“I don’t know if there’s any reason to do that,” Allen said. “We’ve talked about a couple of different routes, but I haven’t talked to Roy since last weekend. We’re trying to stay on track as far as red-shirting him.”
Kinsey claims no preference.
“Right now, I’m not too concerned,” he said. “I’m trying to keep my mind on football until the moment comes, whenever that moment is. I still want to red-shirt in football. Dylen (Smith) is doing a heck of a job. There’s no reason to take me off red-shirt.”
Smith has struggled at times this season. His backup is red-shirt freshman Zach Dyer, though Allen has hedged lately when asked to name his second-best quarterback.
“We said all along we thought he was pretty good,” Allen said. “We’re extremely excited about both our young quarterbacks. Mario can do a ton of things.”
Including play wide receiver. Kinsey almost agreed to take off his red shirt two games into the season. He would have played the rest of the football season as a wide receiver unless forced into QB duty.
“There have been a lot of moments like that,” Kinsey said. “Then (Allen) will tell me he wants to keep me for four years.”
Kinsey, roommates with KU hoops freshman Bryant Nash, suggested the decision lies with Allen and not Williams.
“It’s more on coach Allen,” Kinsey said. “Coach Williams is cool with that. Whether I stay on Friday is up to coach Allen.”
The irrepressible Kinsey drew Allen’s ire Tuesday, when, during a scrimmage, Allen turned his attention from the play on the field and screamed at Kinsey.
“Yeah, he had to get on me today,” Kinsey said. “I was just having fun.”
While Allen’s decision on Kinsey might not come until Friday, Kinsey is concentrating on football.
“The plan is, come Sunday I’m straight into basketball until spring,” Kinsey said, then added, “I guess I’m ready for basketball, but I have to concentrate on football. I’m not really thinking about it.”
Late Night With Roy Williams skits will start around 10:30 p.m. Friday at Allen Fieldhouse with a scrimmage to start shortly after midnight Saturday morning. Kickoff for KU-MU is 1 p.m. Saturday.
Vote of confidence: While Allen’s job security has been a hot topic on the Internet and on radio shows, it hasn’t been an issue for Allen and his boss, athletics director Bob Frederick.
“We’re only five games into the season,” Frederick said. “It’s just not an issue at this point. We’ve made a $35 million investment in the football stadium. I feel good about the last two recruiting classes. We’re just going to continue to support Terry and do everything we can to help him.”
If KU would lose its final six games, would Frederick reconsider?
“I don’t think so,” he said, “but I don’t want to speculate or hypothesize on something that hasn’t happened yet.”
Injury update: Offensive tackle John Oddonetto (bronchitis) and defensive lineman Ervin Holloman (swelling calf) did not practice Tuesday, but Allen was confident they’d both return for the MU game. Center Bob Schmidt (rolled ankle) is questionable for Missouri.
