Jon Cornish’s first two seasons in a Kansas University football uniform can be summed up in two words.

Jon who?

Cornish is a 6-foot, 205-pound running back out of British Columbia whose career statistics hardly match the beauty of a Canadian sunset.

Three carries for eight yards. Oh, and he caught a 12-yard pass against Kansas State last year. That’s it : except for performing on various special teams.

Based on those minimal numbers, KU football fans could be excused if they scratched their heads a couple of weeks ago when coach Mark Mangino threw a large bouquet Cornish’s way.

“I’m really fired up about Jon Cornish,” Mangino said. “He looks quicker, more explosive. He has good vision. His is one of the best-conditioned guys we have. He could be a factor for us.”

If Cornish does become a factor – and it’s no secret the Jayhawks’ running attack is a question mark – it won’t be because Cornish became faster, stronger and more slippery overnight. It will be because Cornish didn’t throw the bouquet away.

Cornish

“Football was something I did for a scholarship,” Cornish said. “Now, I’m trying to do something for the team.”

In his last season at Thomas More High in Westminster, B.C. (where they play American-rules football, by the way), Cornish rushed for more than 3,000 yards, scored nearly 50 touchdowns and was voted province player of the year.

All of which failed to impress major colleges south of the border.

“It’s more difficult for us because the level of play in Canada is underestimated,” Cornish said. “We just aren’t being recruited.”

So Cornish decided he had to take matters into his own hands.

“I wanted to play Big 12 football, so I sent tapes to all the schools,” he said, “and I heard back from Kansas.”

Mangino had agreed to take the KU post after the 2001 season and, like all late coaching hires, he was behind in recruiting and was looking for, among others, a few diamonds in the rough. Cornish fit into that category.

Yet after a red-shirt season in 2002 and unremarkable 2003 and 2004 performances, Cornish either needed more polishing or was doomed to zircon status.

Cornish stresses he fits into the former category, that he finally has the polish he needs to dazzle doubters. That polish, he said, came from within.

“The light came on after last year’s dismal season,” Cornish said. “I was not satisfied with myself or the record of the team. Last season was nothing remarkable and I like being remarkable.”

The light may have indeed come on, but somebody had to flick the switch, and that someone was Mangino.

“Coach convinced me I can play this game and be successful,” Cornish said. “And that I can be myself, but also more mature in my approach.”

Mangino also appears to have convinced Cornish that marching to the beat of your own drum is fine, but that dancing to his tune is even better.

“I realize I have to listen to the coaches,” Cornish said, “which I didn’t do my first two years here.”

Anyway, Cornish seems to have convinced Mangino he’ll be a different player during his last two seasons with the Jayhawks.

“He’s a great kid, but I wasn’t sure how focused he had been,” Mangino said. “He realized it was time for him to make a contribution. I was glad he caught on.”

Regardless, Cornish still has plenty to prove. He will go into his junior season as back-up to senior Clark Green. That’s as high as he’s ever been on the KU depth chart, meaning he could surpass his career three carries in the season opener Sept. 3 against Florida Atlantic.

“If it’s two carries or 20, I don’t really care,” Cornish said. “My ambitions are grand, but I would like to be able to say I can help this team.”