Kansas University lost five turnovers and netted only 355 total yards in a rain-soaked, season-opening loss to Northwestern two weeks ago.

On a dry, sunny Saturday against UNLV, the Jayhawks bounced back with 546 total yards, 757 all-purpose yards and 32 first downs in a 46-24 victory.

“Anytime that you can get 46 points on the board and rack up 540-some-odd yards of total offense, you have to feel good about your offense and the progress of it,” KU coach Mark Mangino said Monday during the Big 12 coaches’ teleconference. “Clark Green ran the ball well. Bill Whittemore ran and passed really well and took command of the offense.”

Whittemore was named the Division I-A Performer of the Week by CollegeSportsReport.com after passing for 270 yards and three touchdowns and rushing for 65 yards and another TD. The senior quarterback has thrown for 510 yards and four touchdowns in two games.

The offensive line has given Whittemore plenty of time to throw, despite having four new starters — senior left tackle Adrian Jones, freshman left guard Bob Whitaker, junior center Joe Vaughn and senior right guard Danny Lewis. The fifth starter — junior Tony Coker, moved to right guard after starting at tackle last season.

Kansas rushed for 276 yards against UNLV. Green ran for 127 yards on 19 carries, and the sophomore running back caught five passes for 70 yards.

Backup running back John Randle also had a solid night with 77 yards on nine carries in his second college game.

Mangino was pleased with Randle’s performance, but the freshman won’t necessarily get more carries Saturday at Wyoming.

“We play John when we feel the situation is right and the timing is right,” he said. “I can’t tell you how many carries he is going to have against Wyoming. We just go game-by-game. Clark Green is the workhorse. John Randle has proven that he can play at this level as a true freshman. We are going to continue to play him.

Hear Mark: Sept. 8 Big 12 coaches teleconference

“When Clark needs a rest or the situation is right, we are going to throw John in there and have him carry the ball. We feel really confident about John. He is confident, and we are confident in him.”

In addition to Green, receivers Brandon Rideau, Charles Gordon and Mark Simmons each had at least three catches and more than 50 yards receiving.

KU’s receivers also showed a knack for making big plays — a marked change from last year when dropped passes were a chronic problem and Whittemore was KU’s only consistent weapon.

“As we go on offense, we are finding that we are building a strong supporting cast around Bill,” Mangino said. “That supporting cast has helped him improve. We are building for the long haul so that when Bill leaves we feel like we won’t be as dependent on the quarterback position. We have quality receivers, offensive linemen and running backs that can take a little bit of pressure off the quarterback.”

KU’s point total was its highest since 1999. The offense was so efficient, KU didn’t punt for the first time since 1998.

“The fact that we never had to put our punter on the field during the entire game means that our offense was functioning well,” Mangino said. “UNLV had a speedy and athletic defense. There are other defenses in the Big 12 that are better than them, but still a very athletic and speedy group of guys.”

KU’s defense, which has eight new starters, has a few kinks to work out after allowing more than 400 yards in both games, but Mangino said it was a matter of time before the revamped defense played better.

“We have a pretty significant defensive package,” he said. “Not all of it is in. We are trying to get our kids to really get comfortable with what we have in so we can consistently build on that package.”

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Coach and coach: KU’s football program had a good relationship with the basketball program during the Roy Williams era. Williams even helped with football recruiting, taking time to visit with players during campus visits.

Mangino said he didn’t expect that to change now that Bill Self is KU’s coach.

“We work hand-in-hand,” Mangino said. “Bill Self comes in here — he loves football and he has been great. There are a lot of Division One schools that are successful in both. The ones who are not and say that it can’t be done are the ones who really haven’t given the effort to make both be successful. We feel like basketball is a recruiting tool for us. We don’t feel overshadowed by it.

“The only reason this program has been overshadowed by basketball is because basketball has been better than the football program has been over time. When the football program gets up there and competes for championships and bowl games, people will get excited about both sports. 27,000 faithful stayed at our game in a driving rainstorm a week ago and never left until the last play. (Saturday) we had about 33,000 that were on their feet for the second half. The fans we have are loyal, and the rest will come when we become consistent in our winning in football.”