For coaches, the extra four weeks represent a chance to evaluate the team’s younger players, many of whom toiled through the regular season as members of the scout team. And for the younger players, it’s an opportunity to make their case for an increased work load heading into next season — even if that opportunity can lead to a bit of overzealous behavior.

“Getting ready for the Fort Worth Bowl (in 2005), I got yelled at because I hit (former Kansas running back Jon) Cornish one time, and you’re not supposed to hit the starters,” said senior linebacker James Holt, who recently was named an All-Big 12 first-team selection. “But that’s a great opportunity for the kids that have to do scout team all year to show the coaches what they have and get ready for next year.”

Having spent parts of the past few weeks getting an extended look at some little-used players — and experimenting with others — Kansas coach Mark Mangino admits to having a better feel for the pieces he’ll take into the 2009 season.

One of the most noteworthy stories to come out of this year’s developmental period is the possible move of running back Angus Quigley to the linebacker position. As a junior this season, Quigley was KU’s second-leading rusher, compiling 309 yards and a team-best 5.2 yards-per-carry average, but he has spent considerable time recently working with the linebackers. Mangino said Sunday that he would know by spring practice where Quigley will be lined up next season, and the coach assured that when he makes the decision, he’ll stick to it.

“We’re not going to fool around,” said Mangino, who praised Quigley’s understanding of the position’s basic principles. “He’s either going to be at running back in the spring or linebacker, we’re not going to move him back and forth.

“But I’d say there’s a better-than-average chance that he’ll be at linebacker.”

The coach also singled out walk-on receiver Willie O’Quinn, safety Lubbock Smith and receiver-turned-cornerback Daymond Patterson as players who thrived during the team’s early bowl preparation workouts, adding that both O’Quinn and Smith should battle for playing time in ’09 (Patterson is already a starter).

While the evaluation opportunity has been much appreciated, however, it is secondary to the task at hand: winning bowl games in back-to-back seasons for the first time in school history.

And with only nine days remaining before the Jayhawks’ New Year’s Eve date with the Gophers in Tempe, Ariz., the team’s focus has turned one-dimensional.

“It’s been productive,” Mangino said. “But now it’s all Minnesota. Developmental (time) is long gone now; we’re working on Minnesota.”