Dropped passes hindering Jayhawks’ offense

Kansas quarterback Bill Whittemore ranks fourth in the Big 12 Conference in total offense with a per game average of 232.3 yards.

The junior’s numbers would be significantly better, however, if his receivers caught more of his passes.

Whittemore, who has completed only 49.7 percent of his passes and has the 11th-best efficiency rating ranks in the Big 12 Conference at 99.0, has called dropped passes “part of the game.”

Kansas coach Mark Mangino, on the other hand, is growing weary of dropped passes being part of KU’s game.

“We have to hold on to the ball,” Mangino said Monday during the Big 12 teleconference. “We had too many drops in the first half. We have to do a good job of holding onto the ball, and we’ll work on that.”

KU receivers dropped at least five passes in the first half Saturday at Waco, Texas.

The mistakes proved costly because Kansas fell behind Baylor 14-0 and lost 35-32.

Dropped passes hindered two potential scoring drives in the first half. On KU’s second possession, the Jayhawks took over at midfield after a Baylor punt. Kansas drove to BU’s 17-yard line, but the drive stalled when junior receiver Derick Mills who later caught a touchdown pass in the third quarter dropped passes on consecutive plays.

Sophomore kicker Johnny Beck then missed a 34-yard field-goal attempt.

KU had excellent field position on a drive in the second quarter but again came away empty-handed. An interception by free safety Johnny McCoy gave Kansas the ball at BU’s 32. The Jayhawks reached the 16, but senior receiver Marcellus Jones who led the team with five receptions for 75 yards dropped a pass on second down and Whittemore threw another incompletion on third down.

KU then faked a 33-yard field-goal attempt, but Beck was stopped short of the first down.

“Catching the football is a fundamental like any other aspect of the game,” Mangino said. “That’s something we’ll really focus on. Those are plays we need to make.”

Mangino said receivers would report to the practice field early this week and a JUGS passing machine would be available to them after practice.

KU’s coach was pleased with some aspects of the passing game, including improved pass protection and receivers running better routes. He also liked the fact that Whittemore connected with seven different receivers.

Up Next: The Jayhawks (2-4 overall, 0-2 Big 12) will play host to Colorado (3-2, 1-0) at 1 p.m. Saturday in KU’s homecoming game.

A&M kickoff set: KU’s game with Texas A&M (3-2, 0-1) has been bypassed for television and will start at 1 p.m. on Oct. 19.