Tony Coker broke his silence Tuesday regarding his preseason leg injury, saying he’s “100 percent” and ready for Saturday’s football showdown with Kansas State.

Coker, listed atop the Kansas University depth chart at right guard, played sparingly against Northwestern and Nebraska and didn’t play against Tulsa, Toledo or Texas Tech.

His part-time use in KU’s 14-8 loss to Nebraska implied he wasn’t completely healed, but Coker said he was working to get back into rhythm.

“I was trying to work myself back in,” Coker said. “Not playing for a while, you can’t just jump back in.”

If Coker gets back to his regular repetitions, it no doubt will create desired depth among the offensive line. While Coker was out, the line stacked up with Matt Thompson, Bob Whitaker, Joe Vaughn, David Ochoa and Cesar Rodriguez, and they often played nearly every snap.

Besides those five and Coker, only Matt Mann (left guard) and Travis Dambach (right tackle) are listed on KU’s two-deep at offensive line. Rodriguez and Ochoa are listed at two different positions.

KU coach Mark Mangino had talked last week about creating more of a deep rotation in the offensive line. But Saturday, Coker’s increased playing time was the only significant change made.

Still, Coker’s presence — and the subsequent rest time for Ochoa and Whitaker — helped KU increase its offensive production. It was particularly evident on the ground, where John Randle rushed for 105 yards on 23 carries against a talented Nebraska defense.

“On the offensive side, we’re much improved from the Nebraska game,” KU coach Mark Mangino said. “(In) the Nebraska game we did some good things, and we’ll continue to build on that.”

Coker hopes his role elevates and he becomes as crucial to the line as he was projected to be in preseason.

“It’s been frustrating,” Coker said. “It’s my senior year, and I’ve wanted to be out there playing and helping my team.”

6Sports video: Young offensive line showing signs of improvement 6Sports video: Mangino: Offense needs to capitalize on chances Hear Mark: Oct. 5 press conference

¢

Relief kicker?: Kicker Johnny Beck was named special teams player of the week by the coaching staff after nailing field goals of 36 and 39 yards against the Cornhuskers.

Does that honor mean Beck again is the man? Not necessarily.

“I think what we’ve got to do is be patient with both of the kickers and decide later in the week who’s been doing well,” Mangino said.

Beck didn’t expect to perform field-goal duties against the Huskers. Scott Webb was announced as the guy for the job prior to the game, but Mangino went back to Beck after Webb missed a 37-yard attempt in the first quarter Saturday.

“Maybe he works better out of the bullpen,” Mangino said of Beck. “I’ve considered that as well.”

Charles Gordon was named defensive player of the week, and Randle was named top offense player.

¢

Stubbs update: Mangino said Tuesday that safety Tony Stubbs was improving after suffering an undisclosed injury in practice last week. Stubbs didn’t play Saturday against Nebraska, but KU hopes to have him back this week against Kansas State.

“He looked pretty good running around a little bit,” Mangino said. “He’s not quite 100 percent, but we think he’ll be ready to go.”

¢

Mangino on Sproles: Mangino was an assistant at Oklahoma when Kansas State running back Darren Sproles was tearing up the high school ranks at Olathe North.

“At that time, we had a lot of running backs, and it wasn’t a high priority at that time to recruit a running back,” Mangino said. “But I knew that he was a highly talented guy that was going to be really special.”