In terms of wins and losses, the 2002 Kansas University Jayhawks are likely to rank as the worst major college football team Mark Mangino has coached.

In some ways, though, Mangino thinks his 2-5 club is one of the best.

“I’ve been around some really good football teams, but the attitude and the character of this team ranks among the top two or three ballclubs that I’ve been involved with,” KU’s first-year head coach said after the Jayhawks absorbed a 53-29 homecoming loss to Colorado on Saturday at Memorial Stadium. “Our kids kept fighting.”

In 11 years as a major-college assistant, Mangino endured only one losing season. That was a 5-6 campaign in 1992, his second year as part of Bill Snyder’s rebuilding effort at Kansas State.

With games remaining against Texas A&M (4-2), Kansas State (5-1) and Nebraska (5-2), as well as Missouri (3-3) and Oklahoma State (2-4), KU is likely headed for its seventh straight losing season.

That’s quite a change for a coach who enjoyed more than 100 victories and nine consecutive bowl trips during his days at K-State and Oklahoma.

“There are going to be some growing pains,” Mangino said. “I knew what I signed up for here. The wheels aren’t going to fall off. We’re building something special here.”

It might take time, but Mangino has been pleased with his players’ resiliency.

“All they want is somebody who believes in them,” he said.

Mangino is trying to convey that belief to his players. He had plenty of praise for the Jayhawks, especially the improving offensive line and quarterback Bill Whittemore, after the CU game.

Whittemore put together his third straight 300-yard game. While the junior rushed for 121 yards and two touchdowns, KU’s running backs continue to struggle. Red-shirt freshman Clark Green did manage a respectable 5.1-yards per carry average, rushing for 61 yards on 12 carries. Twenty-one of those yards came on one carry.

“We still have to continue to improve in that area,” Mangino said.

Injury notes: Sophomore defensive tackle Travis Watkins started Saturday’s game but came out after a few plays because of an injury suffered a week earlier.

Mangino declined to clarify if Watkins’ woe is a foot or ankle problem.

“It’s not a serious problem, but he’s having trouble changing direction and putting pressure on it,” Mangino said. “We don’t know for sure, but we think he’ll be ready to go this week.”

Freshman receiver Mark Simmons, who was shaken up in the Baylor game Oct. 5 at Waco, Texas, played but did not make a catch for the first time this season.

Up Next: KU will play host to Texas A&M at 1 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Stadium.