Whittemore could be game-time decision

By David Mitchell     Nov 7, 2002

Scott McClurg/Journal-World Photo
Kansas University quarterback Bill Whittemore, left, consoles running back Clark Green during the Jayhawks' game Oct. 26th at Missouri. Whittemore injured his knee during that game, and his status for Saturday's game at Nebraska still is uncertain.

Kansas University football fans wondering if quarterback Bill Whittemore will play against Nebraska might have to wait until 12:30 p.m. Saturday to find out.

“Because we’re trying to do everything we can to get him ready, this one might go right up to game time,” KU coach Mark Mangino said after Wednesday’s practice. “It might go right up to pregame warm-up.”

Whittemore injured the medial collateral ligament in his left knee in the third quarter of KU’s 36-12 loss on Oct. 26 at Missouri.

Mangino has not revealed the severity of the injury, but said Wednesday “as it stands now” Whittemore’s knee would not require offseason surgery.

That could change, though, if the junior plays in the final two games of the season at Nebraska and at home against Oklahoma State.

“He means too much to our program to put him in harm’s way,” Mangino said. “But if the doctors say he can go and if the trainers say he can go, he’ll play against Nebraska.”

The coach is torn between having his No. 1 quarterback healthy for spring football and fielding the most competitive team possible in the final two games of the season.

The Jayhawks haven’t beaten the Cornhuskers since 1968, and they won’t be expected to Saturday with or without Whittemore. KU (2-8, 0-6 Big 12 Conference) is a 36-point underdog against Nebraska (6-4, 2-3). Kansas, however, has been far more effective with Whittemore under center. He ranked third in the Big 12 in total offense before his injury. In the seven games the Fort Scott Community College transfer started, KU averaged 384.4 yards and 29.8 points per game.

In the five quarters since his injury, KU has netted only 127 yards and scored zero points. Last Saturday, Kansas State blanked Kansas 64-0, earning its first shutout in the series since 1955.

That’s not the way KU coaches want to end their season before a pivotal recruiting period, so Whittemore is doing what he can to recover quickly. He reports to the training room before 8 a.m. every day for treatment and returns for more in the afternoon. He practiced Wednesday with his injured knee taped and braced.

“It’s kind of wearing me out, to be honest,” Whittemore said. “I’m in there quite a bit. It’s getting better.”

Whittemore said he was preparing to play.

“If it’s good to go, I want to be out there and get that experience,” he said. “I’d love to play in Lincoln, Nebraska. That’s a dream.”

Meanwhile, Mangino must deal with the possibility his top offensive weapon could be relegated to the sideline. At the same time, he knows he’ll need Whittemore in 2003.

“I think it’s in the best interest of our ballclub to have him ready for spring ball, healthy and ready to go because he’s only going to get better and better,” Mangino said.

If Whittemore can’t play, backup Jonas Weatherbie will start his second straight game. The senior struggled against Kansas State, completing two of nine passes before being replaced by red-shirt freshman Brian Luke in the second quarter.

Luke has had limited practice time because of a broken thumb he suffered during preseason practices, and Mangino said Sunday the third-string quarterback wasn’t ready and wouldn’t be used unless “pressed into duty.” That could leave things up to Weatherbie.

“Jonas is throwing the ball well,” Mangino said. “He really looked sharp out there. The thing about Jonas is he just doesn’t have much game experience.

“There’s no substitute for game experience.”

Whittemore could be game-time decision

By Richard Brack     Nov 7, 2002

Scott McClurg/Journal-World Photo
Kansas University quarterback Bill Whittemore, left, consoles running back Clark Green during the Jayhawks' game Oct. 26th at Missouri. Whittemore injured his knee during that game, and his status for Saturday's game at Nebraska still is uncertain.

Kansas University football fans wondering if quarterback Bill Whittemore will play against Nebraska might have to wait until 12:30 p.m. Saturday to find out.

“Because we’re trying to do everything we can to get him ready, this one might go right up to game time,” KU coach Mark Mangino said after Wednesday’s practice. “It might go right up to pregame warm-up.”

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Whittemore injured the medial collateral ligament in his left knee in the third quarter of KU’s 36-12 loss on Oct. 26 at Missouri.

Mangino has not revealed the severity of the injury, but said Wednesday “as it stands now” Whittemore’s knee would not require offseason surgery.

That could change, though, if the junior plays in the final two games of the season at Nebraska and at home against Oklahoma State.

“He means too much to our program to put him in harm’s way,” Mangino said. “But if the doctors say he can go and if the trainers say he can go, he’ll play against Nebraska.”

The coach is torn between having his No. 1 quarterback healthy for spring football and fielding the most competitive team possible in the final two games of the season.

The Jayhawks haven’t beaten the Cornhuskers since 1968, and they won’t be expected to Saturday with or without Whittemore. KU (2-8, 0-6 Big 12 Conference) is a 36-point underdog against Nebraska (6-4, 2-3). Kansas, however, has been far more effective with Whittemore under center. He ranked third in the Big 12 in total offense before his injury. In the seven games the Fort Scott Community College transfer started, KU averaged 384.4 yards and 29.8 points per game.

In the five quarters since his injury, KU has netted only 127 yards and scored zero points. Last Saturday, Kansas State blanked Kansas 64-0, earning its first shutout in the series since 1955.

That’s not the way KU coaches want to end their season before a pivotal recruiting period, so Whittemore is doing what he can to recover quickly. He reports to the training room before 8 a.m. every day for treatment and returns for more in the afternoon. He practiced Wednesday with his injured knee taped and braced.

“It’s kind of wearing me out, to be honest,” Whittemore said. “I’m in there quite a bit. It’s getting better.”

Whittemore said he was preparing to play.

“If it’s good to go, I want to be out there and get that experience,” he said. “I’d love to play in Lincoln, Nebraska. That’s a dream.”

Meanwhile, Mangino must deal with the possibility his top offensive weapon could be relegated to the sideline. At the same time, he knows he’ll need Whittemore in 2003.

“I think it’s in the best interest of our ballclub to have him ready for spring ball, healthy and ready to go because he’s only going to get better and better,” Mangino said.

If Whittemore can’t play, backup Jonas Weatherbie will start his second straight game. The senior struggled against Kansas State, completing two of nine passes before being replaced by red-shirt freshman Brian Luke in the second quarter.

Luke has had limited practice time because of a broken thumb he suffered during preseason practices, and Mangino said Sunday the third-string quarterback wasn’t ready and wouldn’t be used unless “pressed into duty.” That could leave things up to Weatherbie.

“Jonas is throwing the ball well,” Mangino said. “He really looked sharp out there. The thing about Jonas is he just doesn’t have much game experience.

“There’s no substitute for game experience.”

Whittemore could be game-time decision

By Richard Brack     Nov 7, 2002

Scott McClurg/Journal-World Photo
Kansas University quarterback Bill Whittemore, left, consoles running back Clark Green during the Jayhawks' game Oct. 26th at Missouri. Whittemore injured his knee during that game, and his status for Saturday's game at Nebraska still is uncertain.

Kansas University football fans wondering if quarterback Bill Whittemore will play against Nebraska might have to wait until 12:30 p.m. Saturday to find out.

“Because we’re trying to do everything we can to get him ready, this one might go right up to game time,” KU coach Mark Mangino said after Wednesday’s practice. “It might go right up to pregame warm-up.”

advertisement

Whittemore injured the medial collateral ligament in his left knee in the third quarter of KU’s 36-12 loss on Oct. 26 at Missouri.

Mangino has not revealed the severity of the injury, but said Wednesday “as it stands now” Whittemore’s knee would not require offseason surgery.

That could change, though, if the junior plays in the final two games of the season at Nebraska and at home against Oklahoma State.

“He means too much to our program to put him in harm’s way,” Mangino said. “But if the doctors say he can go and if the trainers say he can go, he’ll play against Nebraska.”

The coach is torn between having his No. 1 quarterback healthy for spring football and fielding the most competitive team possible in the final two games of the season.

The Jayhawks haven’t beaten the Cornhuskers since 1968, and they won’t be expected to Saturday with or without Whittemore. KU (2-8, 0-6 Big 12 Conference) is a 36-point underdog against Nebraska (6-4, 2-3). Kansas, however, has been far more effective with Whittemore under center. He ranked third in the Big 12 in total offense before his injury. In the seven games the Fort Scott Community College transfer started, KU averaged 384.4 yards and 29.8 points per game.

In the five quarters since his injury, KU has netted only 127 yards and scored zero points. Last Saturday, Kansas State blanked Kansas 64-0, earning its first shutout in the series since 1955.

That’s not the way KU coaches want to end their season before a pivotal recruiting period, so Whittemore is doing what he can to recover quickly. He reports to the training room before 8 a.m. every day for treatment and returns for more in the afternoon. He practiced Wednesday with his injured knee taped and braced.

“It’s kind of wearing me out, to be honest,” Whittemore said. “I’m in there quite a bit. It’s getting better.”

Whittemore said he was preparing to play.

“If it’s good to go, I want to be out there and get that experience,” he said. “I’d love to play in Lincoln, Nebraska. That’s a dream.”

Meanwhile, Mangino must deal with the possibility his top offensive weapon could be relegated to the sideline. At the same time, he knows he’ll need Whittemore in 2003.

“I think it’s in the best interest of our ballclub to have him ready for spring ball, healthy and ready to go because he’s only going to get better and better,” Mangino said.

If Whittemore can’t play, backup Jonas Weatherbie will start his second straight game. The senior struggled against Kansas State, completing two of nine passes before being replaced by red-shirt freshman Brian Luke in the second quarter.

Luke has had limited practice time because of a broken thumb he suffered during preseason practices, and Mangino said Sunday the third-string quarterback wasn’t ready and wouldn’t be used unless “pressed into duty.” That could leave things up to Weatherbie.

“Jonas is throwing the ball well,” Mangino said. “He really looked sharp out there. The thing about Jonas is he just doesn’t have much game experience.

“There’s no substitute for game experience.”

Whittemore could be game-time decision

By Richard Brack     Nov 7, 2002

Scott McClurg/Journal-World Photo
Kansas University quarterback Bill Whittemore, left, consoles running back Clark Green during the Jayhawks' game Oct. 26th at Missouri. Whittemore injured his knee during that game, and his status for Saturday's game at Nebraska still is uncertain.

Kansas University football fans wondering if quarterback Bill Whittemore will play against Nebraska might have to wait until 12:30 p.m. Saturday to find out.

“Because we’re trying to do everything we can to get him ready, this one might go right up to game time,” KU coach Mark Mangino said after Wednesday’s practice. “It might go right up to pregame warm-up.”

advertisement

Whittemore injured the medial collateral ligament in his left knee in the third quarter of KU’s 36-12 loss on Oct. 26 at Missouri.

Mangino has not revealed the severity of the injury, but said Wednesday “as it stands now” Whittemore’s knee would not require offseason surgery.

That could change, though, if the junior plays in the final two games of the season at Nebraska and at home against Oklahoma State.

“He means too much to our program to put him in harm’s way,” Mangino said. “But if the doctors say he can go and if the trainers say he can go, he’ll play against Nebraska.”

The coach is torn between having his No. 1 quarterback healthy for spring football and fielding the most competitive team possible in the final two games of the season.

The Jayhawks haven’t beaten the Cornhuskers since 1968, and they won’t be expected to Saturday with or without Whittemore. KU (2-8, 0-6 Big 12 Conference) is a 36-point underdog against Nebraska (6-4, 2-3). Kansas, however, has been far more effective with Whittemore under center. He ranked third in the Big 12 in total offense before his injury. In the seven games the Fort Scott Community College transfer started, KU averaged 384.4 yards and 29.8 points per game.

In the five quarters since his injury, KU has netted only 127 yards and scored zero points. Last Saturday, Kansas State blanked Kansas 64-0, earning its first shutout in the series since 1955.

That’s not the way KU coaches want to end their season before a pivotal recruiting period, so Whittemore is doing what he can to recover quickly. He reports to the training room before 8 a.m. every day for treatment and returns for more in the afternoon. He practiced Wednesday with his injured knee taped and braced.

“It’s kind of wearing me out, to be honest,” Whittemore said. “I’m in there quite a bit. It’s getting better.”

Whittemore said he was preparing to play.

“If it’s good to go, I want to be out there and get that experience,” he said. “I’d love to play in Lincoln, Nebraska. That’s a dream.”

Meanwhile, Mangino must deal with the possibility his top offensive weapon could be relegated to the sideline. At the same time, he knows he’ll need Whittemore in 2003.

“I think it’s in the best interest of our ballclub to have him ready for spring ball, healthy and ready to go because he’s only going to get better and better,” Mangino said.

If Whittemore can’t play, backup Jonas Weatherbie will start his second straight game. The senior struggled against Kansas State, completing two of nine passes before being replaced by red-shirt freshman Brian Luke in the second quarter.

Luke has had limited practice time because of a broken thumb he suffered during preseason practices, and Mangino said Sunday the third-string quarterback wasn’t ready and wouldn’t be used unless “pressed into duty.” That could leave things up to Weatherbie.

“Jonas is throwing the ball well,” Mangino said. “He really looked sharp out there. The thing about Jonas is he just doesn’t have much game experience.

“There’s no substitute for game experience.”

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