Tony Coker was on the practice field Wednesday, and Kansas University football coach Mark Mangino liked what he saw.
“I would say that he was more effective than I had anticipated today,” Mangino said of the senior guard, who missed KU’s first two games because of an ankle injury. “And if he feels good tomorrow, the possibility improves greatly that he’ll play Saturday.”
Coker suffered an ankle injury Aug. 14 during a preseason scrimmage. The 6-foot-5, 315-pounder had started 21 games in the past two years.
Mangino said Tuesday he was “confident” Coker would be in the lineup Sept. 25 when KU plays host to Texas Tech in the Big 12 Conference opener, but the lineman’s status for Saturday’s nonconference trip to Northwestern remained uncertain.
KU’s offense has scored 84 points in its first two games with sophomore David Ochoa (6-5, 280) filling in for Coker, but Ochoa said there was no doubt who the starting right guard should be when Coker was ready to play.
“He’s been through two Big 12 seasons,” Ochoa said. “That’s his job. He’s a senior. I’m just a role filler, and I hope I’ve met expectations. He’s the clear-cut starter. There’s no decision. I’m just trying to do my best to fill that role.”
Ochoa played in 12 games, mostly on special teams, last season as a red-shirt freshman.
“I’m getting the feel for playing 70 snaps a game,” Ochoa said, “and when I do have the chance to start, I’ll have that experience to fall back on.
“It’s been a good learning experience. I played last year, but not very much. I’d never played guard; I played center and tackle.”
When last week’s 63-14 victory over Toledo got out of hand, Ochoa moved over and played about 15 snaps at center.
Both Coker and senior center Joe Vaughn will be gone next year. Where will Ochoa be?
“I like guard a lot,” he said. “You have to be a pretty good athlete to be a tackle, and as I’ve gained weight I’ve lost some of that foot speed.”
