Don’t expect Brian Luke to play every snap as Kansas University’s starting quarterback.

But for now, expect him to be the guy starting Saturday against Louisiana Tech.

“I think he’s earned the right to be back there at this point in time,” KU coach Mark Mangino said during Monday’s Big 12 coaches conference call.

Luke earned the right because the senior displayed sound decision-making abilities in both Saturday’s 36-8 victory over Appalachian State and a 30-19 victory over Florida Atlantic on Sept. 3.

Mangino said after Saturday’s victory that a major quirk in Luke’s game would have to be exposed on film to not name him the starter.

There wasn’t one. Luke threw for 212 yards on 17-of-26 passing against the Mountaineers, showing accuracy both short and long. It didn’t hurt that the wide receivers didn’t drop as many passes as the week before.

“There were some throws that I threw high, and they went up for it and made the play,” Luke said. “They definitely deserve credit for how they played this week.”

Luke even did an admirable job when not passing the ball. He had eight yards rushing, including a one-yard touchdown run on a fourth-down option play that put KU up by three scores.

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“I thought Brian Luke did a nice job managing the game,” Mangino said. “He made some really good checks. Those things are important for our offense. Overall, he was pretty good.”

But he won’t be the only pony. Freshman Marcus Herford showed too much in his limited chances behind center Saturday to keep him out. The athletic quarterback-turned-wideout-turned-both rushed for 42 yards on five carries out of the QB spot, and also was 2-for-2 passing for 16 yards.

Luke and Herford could be a yin and yang for KU – beneficial opposites.

“Marcus Herford is one of those guys that brings a spark to our offense,” Mangino said. “He’s so athletic, he can throw the ball well yet he can run it really well. We’d be foolish not to utilize the talents of Marcus Herford.”

So the guessing game continues, which probably is how the KU coaching staff wants it – if they even have an idea when Luke and Herford will be used.

Herford was the scout-team quarterback last year, and has been getting a little work in at the position even after moving to wide receiver. He’s not done at receiver despite having a package built for him at quarterback.

But after months of speculation following Luke’s strong finish to last season, it seems the big quarterback question has been solved.

And, for once, the answer comes without much doubt.

“Brian,” Mangino said, “is the number-one guy.”