Three completions versus nine that hit the turf during last week’s loss to Nebraska were not enough to knock Kansas University junior Quinn Mecham out of the starting quarterback role.
KU coach Turner Gill said Tuesday at his weekly news conference that Mecham would start Saturday against Oklahoma State.
Mecham finished the Nebraska game with just 15 yards on 3-of-13 passing. Those totals included one interception and six sacks. Despite the off night, which came one week after hitting on all 12 of his second-half passes in KU’s comeback victory against Colorado, Gill said Mecham remained upbeat and appeared eager to get back to work.
“We all were not very happy with our performance, particularly on the offensive side of the ball,” Gill said. “He’s a guy who listens, he takes the information given to him and then tries to go back and correct it. He’s not a guy who’s gonna totally beat himself up mentally. He’s ready, anxious, to improve and get back on the field.”
While Mecham is slated to start, Gill said there was a chance that red-shirt freshman Jordan Webb might play. Webb started four straight games earlier this year before injuring his shoulder against Texas A&M.
“We’re gonna do whatever it takes to win this football game,” Gill said. “That’s really the objective here; we’re trying to beat Oklahoma State.”
As for Webb, who said he was not quite 100 percent last week, he’s ready to return whenever his number is called.
“Obviously it’s tough, as a competitor, watching,” Webb said. “Watching that Colorado game definitely wasn’t tough. That was a fun one to just be a part of. But anyone wants to be out there.”
Injury update
For the second straight week, sophomore safety Lubbock Smith has been listed as doubtful.
Smith started all nine games for the Jayhawks at strong safety before missing last week’s game at Nebraska.
“He still hasn’t totally recovered at this time,” said Gill of the Jayhawks’ fifth-leading tackler (48). “The medical staff is still evaluating him. But I would say (he’s) doubtful.”
Senior Olaitan Oguntodu, who started and made a career-high nine tackles against Nebraska last week, once again is penciled in Smith’s starting spot.
Add no hazing to list
Gill’s team rules have received a lot of press this season, some for being too strict and others for being unusual.
Here’s another to add to the list: no hazing.
When senior Chris Harris was asked Tuesday if sixth-year senior Angus Quigley ever used his seniority to his advantage, Harris was quick to respond.
“No, man. We don’t really do that,” Harris said. “That’s against coach’s rules to make anybody do anything like that. We treat everybody equally, so, if he has, I haven’t seen it.”
