That’s just fine with Whittmore, KU’s senior quarterback, who will be handing off to sophomore running back Clark Green more and scrambling less.

At least, that’s the plan.

“I’d much rather have Clark running the ball,” Whittemore said. “He’s a much better runner than I am. That’s why he’s here.”

Kansas had a senior-dominated but ineffective offensive line last season and often used its running backs as extra blockers for Whittemore. The quarterback led the team in rushing with 549 yards through nine games, but he paid a heavy price. He took a beating and suffered a season-ending knee injury against Missouri.

Green ended up with a team-high 813 rushing yards in 12 games, but Whittemore led KU with 11 rushing touchdowns despite missing the final three games.

“We are not going to just let him take off downfield like we did last year,” coach Mark Mangino said of his senior co-captain. “I believe that we will get a good running game going from our running backs, which will alleviate some of the pressure off of Bill. Bill’s arm has gotten so much stronger since last year that we have to protect him because I think he can sit in the pocket and burn you now.”

Whittemore (6-foot, 205 pounds) was no slouch as a passing quarterback last year. He completed 49.5 percent of his passes for 1,666 yards and 11 touchdowns with six interceptions.

His numbers would have been better if not for a rash of dropped balls by an inexperienced receiving corps. That position should be bolstered by newcomers, including Purdue transfer Gary Heaggans, junior-college transfer Scott Bajza, true freshman Moderick Johnson and red-shirt freshmen Charles Gordon and Dominic Roux.

“Bill is just great,” sophomore receiver Greg Heaggans said. “He can run the ball, and he can throw the ball. When he drops back to throw the ball, it will be a lot of fun because he can pick any receiver he wants. He will complete a lot more passes this season.”

That could depend greatly on how quickly KU revamps its offensive line. That project starts with center Joe Vaughn (6-1, 280), who won the starting job at center after transferring from Northeastern Oklahoma.

“I love playing behind Joe Vaughn,” Whittemore said of the second-team NJCAA All-American. “I think he’s one of the toughest guys on the team, if not the toughest. He’s a great center. We don’t have any problems as far as exchanges. I like watching him work. He’s going to go after people, and that’s what we need.”

Mangino, who coached offensive line at Oklahoma, also praised the NEO transfer.

“Joe Vaughn has taken a leadership role already at the center position,” he said. “His footwork and his hands are as good as any center I’ve coached, and I’ve coached some good ones.”

Senior Adrian Jones (6-5, 275) is expected to start at left tackle after moving from tight end during spring drills.

Tony Coker (6-5, 320) started nine games at right tackle last season, but the junior knows he’ll have to earn a starting spot again this year.

“Everyone’s fighting,” said Coker, who likely will start at right guard. “Just because a person is first-string doesn’t mean they’re going to be there tomorrow. The competition on the whole offense is at a different level now.”

Right tackle Danny Lewis is the only returning senior from last year’s line. But KU has an abundance of red-shirt freshmen linemen with Travis Dambach (6-4, 260), David Ochoa (6-4, 250), Chris Roberts (6-1, 285) and Bob Whitaker (6-5, 325), who likely will start at left guard.

Coker said the line would be improved when the Jayhawks open the season against Northwestern.

“Last season is over,” he said. “All we are concentrating on is August 30th. That is the only thing we are worried about right now. That and just getting better every day. The new guys have been here all summer, meshing together going through offensive line drills. I think we’re coming together quite well and real fast.”

One of the new guys is junior-college transfer Richard Estrella (6-4, 285). The junior tackle from Cerritos Community College is expected to contribute, but he’ll have to learn KU’s system first.

“It’s tough. It really is,” said Whittemore, who transferred from Fort Scott Community College after the 2001 season. “They have a lot to learn. It’s tough to come in and pick it up that quick. I went through a whole spring and got a chance to get to know the system a little better than a lot of these guys. I think it took me one or two games to feel comfortable. We’re expecting them to be ready, and I think they will be.”

Whittemore — who missed games because of injuries in each of his first three college seasons — is convinced the Jayhawks will improve on last year’s 2-10 season when they averaged 316.8 total yards and 20.7 points per game. For him to play the kind of game Mangino wants, the offensive line must protect him better than it did last year.

“I’m excited about our offensive line,” Whittemore said. “We have some guys at new positions, junior college guys. We still have a lot to learn. The attitude they have, coming in and working hard and just trying to learn everything they can … it’s exciting, and it’s relieving in a way. I know they’re going to give it their all and do the best they can.”