Journal-World File PhotoBill Whittemore’s role in Kansas University’s offense is uncertain.
His place in KU’s record book is not.
The senior quarterback would rank as one of the most prolific offensive weapons in KU history even if he misses the rest of the regular season, which he probably will. The transfer from Fort Scott Community College has played only 17 football games in a KU uniform, and that number seems unlikely to increase after he suffered an injury to his right shoulder during Saturday’s 42-6 loss at Kansas State.
KU coach Mark Mangino said it could take anywhere from three to 12 weeks for his starting quarterback to recover, and the Jayhawks have only four regular-season games remaining.
In a best-case scenario, Whittemore could return for the season finale Nov. 22 at home against Iowa State.
Journal-World File PhotoBill Whittemore Sr. said Monday that his son took the injury hard Saturday night.
“As much for his teammates and coaches as for himself,” Whittemore Sr. said in a phone interview from his home in Brentwood, Tenn.
“He feels like he’s letting people down when stuff like this happens.”
It is the fourth time the younger Whittemore has had a college season ended or interrupted by an injury. He suffered a knee injury as a red-shirt freshman at Tennessee-Martin, a shoulder injury ended his sophomore season at Fort Scott Community College, and he missed the final three games of last season at KU because of a knee injury.
The setbacks haven’t stopped the quarterback from putting up staggering numbers. Even if he never plays another down, Whittemore would still rank among KU’s all-time leaders in several categories:
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Whittemore was the nation’s second-rated passer heading into Saturday’s game and had led the Jayhawks (5-3 overall, 2-2 Big 12 Conference) to their best start in eight years.
Mangino said Whittemore actually was injured two plays before he came out of the game. He was tackled by linebacker Josh Buhl and tackle Jermaine Berry at KSU’s three-yard line. KU’s captain stayed in the game and kept the ball on the option but was stopped at the one, this time buried in a pile after being tripped by end Thomas Houchin.
Whittemore left the game with 26 seconds left in the first quarter, went to the locker room and did not return.
The injury was believed to be to Whittemore’s collarbone, but Mangino declined to discuss specifics.
“The injury itself is not what you would call a critical injury that is going to affect the rest of his life,” said Mangino, who indicated Whittemore would not need surgery. “However, if the injury isn’t (treated) properly, it could lead to a critical problem, and that’s what we’re concerned with.”
Whittemore Sr. also declined to discuss the specifics of his son’s injury, but expressed confidence Mangino would not put the quarterback “in harm’s way.”
The elder Whittemore said his son was “in good spirits” Monday.
“He called me today and we had some laughs,” Whittemore Sr. said. “He’s going to be all right. This is God’s plan for him. We don’t know why yet. Maybe we never will.”
Mangino said it would “be a real stretch” for his quarterback to return in time for the Iowa State game. The Jayhawks, however, are one victory from becoming eligible for a bowl, and Whittemore might be more likely to return for a postseason game — if KU could earn a bowl bid without him.
“That would be awesome,” his father said. “They can do it.”
