In just three weeks, Kansas University’s Greg Heaggans has slipped from 16th in the country to 43rd in individual kick return ratings.

Don’t blame Heaggans entirely for the drop in productivity. Blocking has been a major problem.

“We reviewed the entire unit, and we made some significant changes,” said Kansas coach Mark Mangino, whose team plays host to Nebraska today.

“Greg is still one of the guys back there returning the kicks. If he has a good week, then he will be our return guy. If he doesn’t, then we have other people that are capable. I trust Greg will be ready to get the job done.”

Heaggans will be doing it with different blockers, and possibly a different scheme. Mangino promised “wholesale changes” on the kick-return unit after the Jayhawks struggled Saturday in a 45-33 loss at Texas A&M.

On three straight kicks in the third quarter, Heaggans was stopped shy of KU’s 20-yard line.

The combination of high kicks by Texas A&M’s Todd Pegram and missed blocks by Kansas left Heaggans with nowhere to run.

“It was crazy,” said Heaggans, whose return average has dropped from 26 yards to 24. “I didn’t know what to do. It was like, ‘Man, I can’t even get to the 20-yard line.’ I had a good return at the end of the game, but I was amazed.”

Heaggans’ 43-yard return late in the game set up a touchdown, and KU still ranks second in the Big 12 Conference and 17th in the nation in kick return average. But inconsistency led Mangino to move offensive and defensive starters onto the kick-return unit this week in place of the backups who had been filling those roles.

“We had a lot of changes made, like getting starters out on the field instead of just giving guys chances,” said Heaggans, who declined to name his new blockers. “He said he’d like to have good special teams, and starters from offense and defense will be out there.

KU's greg Heaggans, right, braces for a hit from a Texas A&M player during last Saturday's game at College Station, Texas. KU's kick-return unit struggled in a 45-33 loss.

“Obviously, it’s going to help because we’ll have better people with more ability out there.”

The sophomore already owns KU’s career record for kickoff returns with 1,244 yards.

Mangino thought Heaggans could do better.

¢ 6Sports video: Can Jayhawks finally end Huskers win streak?¢Barmann’s brother waiting for offer¢Kansas football: Camp key to landing QB¢ Depth chart: KU on offense¢ Depth chart: KU on defense¢KUsports.com cell phone notifications

“He wants me to hit the holes more precisely,” Heaggans said. “He doesn’t want me to dance around as much as I did Saturday. He told me to go out there and hit the hole hard, and even if I can’t get many yards to duck my head and get as much as I can.”

Heaggans (6-foot, 185 pounds) had some other things to think about in practice this week. The former Kansas City Schlagle quarterback played the role of Nebraska quarterback Jammal Lord (6-2, 220) for the Jayhawks’ scout-team offense.

Nebraska’s option quarterback has rushed for 628 yards and nine touchdowns and passed for 791 yards and four TDs.

“That’s what I did in high school,” Heaggans said. “I love running the option, so I have fun over there on the scout team.”