Mark Mangino changed the football fortunes of Kansas University in just two years, but KU’s coach still has work to do.

The Jayhawks (6-6 overall, 3-5 Big 12 Conference) defeated Iowa State, 36-7, in their regular-season finale Saturday at Memorial Stadium and earned bowl eligibility for the first time since 1995.

Mangino said that should be just the beginning.

“In order for a program to be turned around, it has to stand the test of time,” said Mangino, whose team finished 2-10 in his first season and didn’t win a conference game. “I think our program is a lot better than it was a couple of years ago — tremendously better than it was. Our kids understand what we’re doing, and they see the big picture. We’re moving in the right direction, and we’re doing a lot of good things.”

Particularly on offense. A year after averaging a meager 20.6 points per game, the Jayhawks’ average of 29.9 ranked fourth in school history. KU set single-season school records for average yards per game (418) and passing touchdowns (23) and tied the record for completions (235). The Jayhawks’ average of 256.83 yards passing ranked second in school history.

“It’s night and day from what it was when I got here,” said senior quarterback Bill Whittemore, who set a single-season record with 16 touchdown passes despite missing three games because of an injury. “The emotion on this team is awesome. Guys are going out there and playing their hearts out and leaving everything on the field. I love ’em. I love this team. I’m glad I’ve got one more game to play because I was sure going to miss it if this was it.”

Whittemore returned from what was believed to be a collarbone injury and passed for 221 yards and a touchdown against ISU and rushed for 85 yards and two TDs.

Mangino replaced his captain with 3:31 to play, and Whittemore left the field to a standing ovation from fans, including some who threw tangerines on the field in a nod to KU’s hopes of earning an invitation to the Tangerine Bowl.

The celebration continued in the locker room, where the Jayhawks doused each other with Gatorade.

Kansas University senior quarterback Bill Whittemore (4) eludes Iowa State's Jordan Carstens. Whittemore was 18-of-28 passing for 221 yards and a touchdown and had 21 carries for 85 yards rushing in the Jayhawks' 36-7 victory Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

“I’m happy for the kids,” Mangino said. “I let them have fun. I just watched and took it all in.”

The coach, who had a bucket of Gatorade poured down his back on the sideline, was drenched again in the locker room.

“You couldn’t hide anywhere,” he quipped.

When the KU football coach’s biggest complaint about a game is getting Gatorade stains out of the locker room carpet, you know things have changed.

But Mangino wasn’t satisfied yet.

“To say your program is completely turned around, you have to be in the hunt for championships,” he said, “whether it be conference championships or national championships.”

The Jayhawks will gladly accept a lower-tier bowl for starters. Mangino was uncertain when his team would learn its postseason destination but said it might not be until after the Big 12 Conference championship game Dec. 6 at Kansas City, Mo.

Tangerine Bowl officials said Saturday that they could not make an announcement until after Missouri and Iowa State play the final Big 12 game of the regular season Saturday at Columbia, Mo. That bowl could pit KU against an Atlantic Coast Conference opponent Dec. 22 in Orlando.

Another possible scenario would be a date in the Fort Worth Bowl, which would match Kansas with a Conference USA foe Dec. 23 at Fort Worth, Texas.

KU will practice today and Tuesday before taking a four-day break for Thanksgiving.

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Recruiting heats up: After returning from Thanksgiving break for a Sunday practice, KU will practice Friday through Monday, giving coaches Tuesday through Thursday to recruit. The Jayhawks had at least five prospects on campus for official visits Saturday.

They were: City College of San Francisco quarterback Jason Swanson; Winfield quarterback Nick Patton; Garland, Texas, defensive tackle James McClinton; Dixie College punter Jake Hendy and Tyler Junior College defensive back Quincy Butler.

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Watkins watch: Defensive tackle Travis Watkins did not suit up for Saturday’s game. The junior missed the first 10 games of the season because of a broken foot before playing two weeks ago at Oklahoma State.

Mangino said his status for the postseason was uncertain.