Ed Warinner sounded like he was spouting a cliche during the summer, and maybe he was.

But Kansas University’s offensive coordinator wasn’t lying when he laid out the fundamental rule of the Jayhawks’ new offensive attack: Get the ball into the playmakers’ hands.

That would explain Aqib Talib’s two touchdown receptions this season, despite being a full-time cornerback. It also would explain Marcus Henry’s 222 yards receiving on a team-high 12 catches in two games. And it helps explain why Brandon McAnderson and Jake Sharp have 27 and 23 carries respectively, a relatively even number for two backs who both average six yards per rush.

KU’s offense has been tremendous through two games, and it could continue when Toledo – a team decimated by injuries on defense – comes to Lawrence on Saturday for a 6 p.m. game.

But, really: Was the KU coaching staff expecting its offense to be this effective?

“We had some indications in the spring,” KU coach Mark Mangino said, “but we still had a competition at quarterback going on. We needed an additional wide receiver to help us out, and we got that with Dezmon Briscoe, a true freshman. We needed help on the offensive line, and we got that with Chet Hartley, a transfer out of Butler Community College.

“As two-a-days progressed, we felt like we had a chance to be pretty good. We have scored some points, no question about that, but we feel like we have to continue to get better.”

Led by quarterback Todd Reesing, a stable of capable wide receivers and an offensive line that has graded out well despite being filled with new faces, Kansas hasn’t had much trouble moving the ball down the field.

The proof: The Jayhawks have had two three-and-outs this season. Both drives started in the first quarter of the first game.

With the rust off, KU’s offense has been a smooth-running locomotive.

“I don’t think we’re clicking more than I thought we’d be,” tight end Derek Fine said. “It’s kind of what we expected, after coming through two-a-days and everybody picked the offense up and was on the same page.”

It’s led to 14 touchdowns in two games – 12 of them by the offense. Seven different receivers have caught touchdown passes, and three different backs have carried the ball across the goal line.

The fireworks could keep going, too. KU’s next two opponents, Toledo and Florida International, have surrendered 50-point games to an opponent. Toledo gave up 52 points to both Purdue and Central Michigan.

Kansas, meanwhile, has scored 50 points in back-to-back games for the first time in school history. But those milestones mean little to the Jayhawks compared with what really matters – that the offense is a creation that’s successfully up and running, getting warmed up for Big 12 Conference play starting in October.

“The biggest thing right now is there’s still room for improvement,” Fine said. “That’s the biggest thing for us : to keep improving and keep trying to perfect the little things that our offense needs to make it work that much better.”