Kansas University’s football team will face the nation’s sixth-best defense without its best offensive weapon. Quarterback Bill Whittemore – who injured the medial collateral ligament in his left knee during last Saturday’s 36-12 loss at Missouri – will not play in Saturday’s home game against No. 14 Kansas State, coach Mark Mangino said Thursday night.
Head athletic trainer Carol Jarosky had treated Whittemore throughout the week in hopes that junior might be able to play. “Bill is improving daily, but not to the point where he is ready to play this Saturday,” Jarosky said in a statement relased by KU.
Senior Jonas Weatherbie will make his first start and will be backed up by red-shirt freshman Brian Luke. “Both of them are ready,” said Whittemore, who ranks third in the Big 12 Conference in total offense with an average of 246.1 yards per game.
“They’ve been waiting for this opportunity.” Weatherbie has been waiting a long time. The career backup has completed 3-of-10 passes for 26 yards in nine career college games.
“Our players and coaches are confident in Jonas and backup Brian Luke,” Mangino said. “They both have had a very good week of practice and look sharp.”
