The feet kept moving Saturday. And doing so earned high praise from Kansas University football coach Mark Mangino.

The Jayhawk backfield had a day unseen in Lawrence in more than a year, rushing for 201 yards on 37 carries in a 30-19 victory over Florida Atlantic. Even more impressive: Only one rush was for a loss, when Cergile Sincere sacked quarterback Brian Luke in the third quarter.

KU didn’t reach the 200-yard mark in 11 games last year. Heck, it hit the 150-yard mark just once, against Toledo.

The last time KU rushed for 200 was thanks to Clark Green and Bill Whittemore in the 2003 Tangerine Bowl.

It was a phase of the offense Kansas sorely missed last season – and welcomed with open arms this year.

“We need to be able to run the ball and have some balance to our offense,” Mangino said Monday during the Big 12 coaches’ conference call. “This is a good first step for us. We have things to work out on the offensive line, but obviously I’m very pleased with what took place.”

Mangino admitted that FAU’s defensive front wasn’t too physical, but he was encouraged by the holes KU’s offensive line opened. Last year, the Jayhawks averaged just 2.7 yards per carry. Saturday, they doubled that.

Kansas University's Clark Green (30) breaks free from a tackle in the second half of the Jayhawks' 30-19 victory over Florida Atlantic. KU rushed for 201 yards in the win Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

“They did a good job of producing the running game and the passing game,” Green said of the line. “Their defensive line did a lot of twists. We did a good job of picking up on that.”

Green was the workhorse, rushing 20 times for 107 yards. But, really, nobody had a bad day rushing the ball, despite KU rarely using a fullback to provide extra blocking.

Luke, not known for his mobility, had seven carries for 35 yards. Adam Barmann, who started at quarterback, had 19 rushing yards, including a six-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.

Jon Cornish, meanwhile, provided the highlight of the night, getting stuffed by three defenders during a play in the fourth, only to keep his feet, escape the pack of Owls and streak in for a 29-yard touchdown that sealed the victory. He finished with 45 yards on just four carries.

One thing’s for certain: With the quarterback situation in limbo and the young wide receivers still learning to soften their hands, the run game might carry the offense for a little while – at least through the nonconference slate, which continues Saturday against Appalachian State.

“We have to make sure we can do this every week,” Mangino said. “I think there’s no reason why we can’t.”

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¢ Well conditioned: Mangino has mentioned more than once since Saturday’s game how important conditioning was to being able to pull out the victory.

Cornish’s run may have been proof of tired legs losing to fresher ones. But the fourth-year coach said it was noticeable across the field.

“Our team was very well conditioned,” Mangino said. “We didn’t have any problems with cramping or anything of that sort. Our kids really played hard all the way through.”

¢ Meier to be reevaluated: Freshman quarterback Kerry Meier, out because of an undisclosed medical issue, will be reevaluated later this week after undergoing another procedure.

“I am very concerned about the situation,” Mangino said. “My guess is that we will know in a few days. : At that time, we’ll be able to tell when he’ll get on the practice field to participate.”

Mangino said it’s possible Meier could miss the season.

“That exists, but we’re hoping that’s not the case,” Mangino said. “We don’t know that. For me to try and attempt to guess that would be incompetent on my part.”