Jayhawks eyeing opener

By David Mitchell     Sep 1, 2004

Richard Gwin/Journal-World Photo
Kansas University cornerback coach Earnest Collins works with the defensive backs as the team gears up for Saturday's season opener against Tulsa. The Jayhawks worked out Tuesday afternoon at the KU football practice fields.

Kansas University coach Mark Mangino knows whether running back John Randle will play Saturday night in the Jayhawks’ football season opener against Tulsa, but Mangino isn’t saying.

“I’ve made a decision on John Randle,” Mangino said Tuesday during his first weekly news conference of the year. “You have to show up Saturday at the stadium to see it.”

Randle was arrested three times during the past school year, and he served two days in the Douglas County Jail in April.

Randle first was arrested Nov. 2 on suspicion of domestic battery and criminal damage to property, but charges never were filed in connection with that incident.

He was arrested again Nov. 19 and later was charged with attempted theft for taking beer from a Lawrence convenience store. Randle faced additional charges for disorderly conduct and having a fake ID after another arrest March 5.

It all added up to one giant headache for Mangino, who at one point during the offseason was planning to bench Randle for the season opener.

Mangino said earlier this month that his stance softened because Randle had “done everything above and beyond what we’ve asked since this situation occurred.”

Randle, a former Wichita Southeast standout, rushed for 503 yards last year as a freshman and is battling returning starter Clark Green for the top spot on the depth chart.

“It’s a great competition, and I think whoever is getting the job done week after week will be the guy,” Mangino said. “It’s Clark’s job, and John has to unseat him because Clark has been a steady guy. He’s been a workhorse here. But John Randle can’t be discounted with his ability and the things he does for us. It’s a good situation for us. I’m pretty happy. Very few situations have I been in as a coach that we’ve had as many quality running backs as we do here.”

Green has rushed for 1,781 yards and 10 touchdowns in the past two seasons. He set a KU record for receptions by a running back with 37 in 2002 and broke his own mark with 44 last year as a sophomore.

If Randle doesn’t play in the 6 p.m. season opener at Memorial Stadium, sophomore Jon Cornish likely would be in the backup role.

Gary Green came to campus as a highly-touted recruit, but the San Antonio freshman has been hampered by illness and injury.

“He’s healthy, and he’s practicing,” Mangino said. “But he’s not in the rotation right now. He missed a lot of work with an illness and then an injury that hobbled him a little — nothing serious — and slowed him down. He missed a good portion of our two-a-days. He’s healthy now, and he’s worked this week. He looks pretty sharp, but he’s not in the mix.”

¢

On guard: Mangino said starting left guard Bob Whitaker, who was held out of some recent practices because of an undisclosed injury, will play Saturday.

Senior right guard Tony Coker will miss the opener because of an undisclosed injury. Sophomore David Ochoa will start in Coker’s place, while sophomore Matt Mann is expected to backup both guard spots.

¢

Punter picked: Senior Chris Tyrrell has won the punting job after a battle with freshman Kyle Tucker.

“It’s a dead-even match,” Mangino said. “We’re going to give the nod to Chris Tyrrell, but don’t be surprised if you don’t see Kyle Tucker as well.”

Tyrrell was KU’s primary punter as a red-shirt freshman in 2001, but he was behind Curtis Ansel on the depth chart the past two seasons.

¢

Wildcat woes: Northwestern coach Randy Walker said Monday that defensive end Loren Howard will have surgery on his left ankle this week.

“There’s a chance he could be back this season,” said Walker, whose team plays host to Kansas on Sept. 18 at Evanston, Ill. “We’ll know a lot more after the surgery. His history tells us he’s fast healer.”

Howard, who led Northwestern with 16 tackles for loss and eight sacks last season, had a similar surgery on his right ankle last winter. Junior David Thompson will start the Wildcats’ season opener Thursday at Texas Christian.

PREV POST

Jayhawk forward a quick learner

NEXT POST

6523Jayhawks eyeing opener