Kansas University running back John Randle is a good cheerleader.
In the first half of Saturday’s 21-3 season-opening victory over Tulsa, the former Wichita Southeast standout was on the sidelines, riling up Jayhawk defenders.
But once inserted into the contest at the start of the second half, the sophomore showed he probably is more valuable on the field.
“I couldn’t wait to get in,” said Randle, who was benched in the first half because he was arrested three times during the past school year. “I was cheering for the fellows on D. But I wanted to go out and help the offense the best I could.”
Randle certainly did. The 6-foot, 185-pounder instantly enhanced a KU running game that had been dormant (23 yards on 11 carries in the first half), gaining 56 yards on a career-high 17 carries.
“I tried to spark the team the best that I could,” said Randle, who set up the Jayhawks’ first touchdown late in the third quarter when he rushed for 35 yards on five straight carries.
Kansas coach Mark Mangino said Tuesday that because of Randle’s explosive running style, his role could increase for Saturday’s home game against Toledo.
“We are going to go with the guy who has it going,” Mangino said during his weekly news conference. “I don’t think anybody in the room will dispute that we have at least two quality running backs, and we will just use them as we see fit in certain situations.
“Who has a hot hand and who’s doing the things in the gameplan the best — you will see them both.”
After the Tulsa game Mangino said junior running back Clark Green — KU’s bread-and-butter back the past two seasons — lacked the explosiveness he showed his first two seasons in Lawrence because of 8 to 10 pounds of muscle Green put on during the offseason.
But Randle said Green’s apparent woes were not worthy of concern.
“It was nothing we couldn’t fix. He could have came back in the second half and done just as good as I did,” Randle said of Green, whom Randle studied intensively in the offseason to help improve his own rushing style.
“He just lets the game flow to him. He never becomes too anxious,” Randle said.
Green gained 968 yards rushing last year and had 44 receptions for 464 yards, and Randle said KU’s offense could operate most efficiently when he and Green were on top of their games. Randle rushed for 503 yards on 88 carries last season.
“I know we’re both going to play, we’re both going to get our carries,” Randle said. “Starting doesn’t matter to me. I go in trying to help the team play, help the team produce points.”
Or even cheer.
“I’ll make noise, do whatever I can do,” he said.
6Sports video: Gordon’s playing time of concern for Kansas
Hear Mark: September 7 press conference
Cell phone updates for KU football
E-mail updates for KU football
Improved defense pleases coaches