Kansas University’s football coaches face a conundrum with quarterback Bill Whittemore.

If coach Mark Mangino turns the senior loose, letting him scramble or throw on the run, the coach risks making his co-captain vulnerable at a position where the Jayhawks lack depth.

If the coach confines last year’s Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year to the pocket, Whittemore might not be as effective.

“We’re between a rock and a hard spot,” Mangino said Sunday, one day after the Jayhawks suffered a 28-20 loss to Northwestern in their season opener.

“Maybe he’s really good at throwing on the run, but we need him to be our quarterback for the entire season. That’s what we face.”

Whittemore didn’t last the entire season in 2002. After taking more than his share of hits, an injured left knee sidelined him with three games remaining. KU dropped all three games while trying four different players at quarterback.

Whittemore came out of Saturday night’s opener late in the first half, favoring his right knee. Backup Brian Luke threw two passes, one of which was intercepted, before Whittemore returned in the second half.

Mangino said Whittemore’s injury wasn’t serious, but it did limit KU’s play selection.

“Bill tweaked himself,” Mangino said. “He was uncomfortable. We had some things scripted for him to move the pocket around and have the ball in his hands, and he just wasn’t comfortable and he told us that.”

Kansas University coach Mark Mangino paces the sideline prior to the start of KU's game against Northwestern. The Jayhawks dropped their season opener against the Wildcats, 28-20, Saturday night at Memorial Stadium.

Even before Whittemore came out, it was clear he wasn’t going to run the ball the way he did last year when he averaged 15.2 carries per game and finished with 549 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in nine games.

Against Northwestern, Whittemore carried the ball four times for seven yards. The quarterback looked uncomfortable in the pocket, missing open receivers several times in the first half. He finished 12-of-28 for 240 yards with one TD and one interception.

“Our passing game didn’t pan out for us,” Whittemore said after the game. “A lot of that is one me.”

Whittemore completed the longest pass of his KU career when he was forced to scramble and dumped a 10-yard pass to sophomore Mark Simmons, who turned the busted play into a 74-yard TD.

That pass, and Whittemore’s early misfires, made it appear the quarterback was more comfortable and more effective when he was on the move.

“We’re certainly starting to believe that,” Mangino said. “He can throw from the pocket. He’s proven that, but his comfort zone might be on the run.”

Whittemore was sacked only once, and his revamped offensive line earned passing grades from Mangino.

Junior Tony Coker was the only returning starter from last year’s line, and he was moved from tackle to guard.

“I can’t say enough good things about those kids,” Mangino said. “Their pass protection was nearly flawless.”

¢

Injury report, sort of: Junior-college transfer Chuck Jones started his first game for KU at defensive tackle but left the game with an undisclosed injury.

“We don’t think it’s going to be a real long thing,” said Mangino, who wouldn’t comment on whether Jones would be available for Saturday’s game against UNLV.

Mangino also said that senior cornerback Remuise Johnson was held out because of some “bumps and bruises.”

Johnson was a starter last year, but he was passed on the depth chart in the preseason by junior-college transfer Shelton Simmons.

“We’re hoping he’ll get back out there and contribute,” Mangino said.

Running back Clark Green was injured late in the game, but Mangino said the sophomore’s foot injury wasn’t serious.

¢

Toomey’s tackles: Sophomore junior-college transfer Gabe Toomey made 12 tackles in his KU debut, and the linebacker led the Jayhawks with three tackles for loss.

“No doubt Gabe Toomey played very well, and he’s still learning our defense,” Mangino said. “Just imagine when he gets everything down pat. He’s really going to be a force to deal with.”

Mangino was pleased with his defense, which had eight new starters, but not content. The Jayhawks put little pressure on quarterback Brett Basanez, allowing the Wildcats to convert eight of 19 third-down plays.

“When you consider all the new faces and little playing time, overall I’m pleased,” Mangino said. “There are areas we need to work on.”

¢

New guys: KU played four true freshmen, according to the official statistics. They were: running back John Randle, receiver Moderick Johnson, defensive end Andy Temple and linebacker Marc Dierking.

¢

Up next: KU plays host to UNLV at 6 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Stadium. The Runnin’ Rebels defeated Toledo, 28-18, Friday at Las Vegas. UNLV defeated the Jayhawks, 31-20, in the second game of last season at Las Vegas.