‘Competition mode’ to determine KU’s starting QB vs. ISU

Kansas quarterback Montell Cozart (2) passes against Oklahoma during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct.29, 2016.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Kansas football coach David Beaty still didn’t feel comfortable naming a starting quarterback for this week’s home game against Iowa State.

Speaking at his weekly press conference, the man in charge of the program, the offense and the quarterbacks said QB Montell Cozart — starter in 7 of 9 games — had recovered “pretty well” while going through concussion protocol after suffering a head injury at West Virginia on Saturday. Beaty hoped to gain a better sense of Cozart’s well-being at practices.

“We’re still in that competition mode,” KU’s head coach said of naming a No. 1 quarterback to face the Cyclones (1-8 overall, 0-6 Big 12). “But we’ll go through practice today and tomorrow and make that decision.”

After getting “lit up” by a WVU defender on a deep post pass to Steven Sims Jr., Cozart’s head crashed into the turf. Beaty guessed that particular play led to the QB’s injury.

“He got hit a few times in the game, so I’m sure maybe it was an accumulation effect,” the coach said, “but that one hit was a pretty good hit that he took.”

Once Cozart showed concussion-like symptoms on the sideline, Beaty inserted Carter Stanley at QB. The redshirt freshman’s performance rekindled the ongoing public debate about who deserves the No. 1 position on KU’s depth chart. Stanley completed 9 of his 11 passes for 127 yards and two touchdowns against the Mountaineers, with one interception, upon entering late in the third quarter of KU’s eighth consecutive loss.

“I think his commitment to being prepared is what helped him step in the other day and play well, and he sparked us,” Beaty said of Stanley. “I was really, really impressed with the fact that he came in, just he started right off the bat with a snap that really hit the ground on his left-hand side, and he picked it up and found Steven Sims on a quick little run-pass option for a 6-yard gain, and that was something that told me he was prepared. He knew where all of his answers were. So it was good to see him do that.”

At least publicly, Beaty made it sound as if Stanley and Cozart would have their chances at Tuesday and Wednesday practices to earn the starting spot. Presumably, so would sophomore Ryan Willis, a two-time KU starter this season, whose name didn’t come up during the Q & A session.

Cozart’s health could become the deciding factor for Beaty.

Though the coach made sure to point out Stanley has a lot to learn about playing the position at the college level, Beaty also admitted the 6-foot-2 freshman from Vero Beach, Fla. — who has yet to start a game — has “something about him.”

“He’s got kind of a gamer deal to him. He did a good job the other day,” Beaty said. “I fully expect him to be prepared if his number’s called this week. Just how I expect all of them to be prepared this week.”

Lineup updates

Beaty had more clarity on the status of some of Cozart’s teammates for Saturday’s home game against Iowa State (11 a.m. kickoff, FOX Sports Net):

Kansas linebacker Marcquis Roberts (5) chases down Texas Tech running back Justin Stockton (4) after a catch during the first quarter on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas.

• The Kansas defense will be without starting linebacker Marcquis Roberts. Beaty revealed the senior linebacker separated a shoulder at West Virginia.

• KU (1-8, 0-6) had to play most of the second half Saturday night without starting defensive tackle Daniel Wise, who picked up a personal foul and ejection in the third quarter. Beaty said the Big 12 informed the team Wise would not be suspended for the first half of the ISU matchup as a result.

• True freshman safety Mike Lee, who, like Cozart, left the WVU game early due to injury and was placed in concussion protocol, also has responded well the past couple of days, according to Beaty. The coach felt optimistic about Lee’s availability but said the freshman defensive back will remain under evaluation.

• On the offensive side of the ball, junior receiver Bobby Hartzog Jr., who had started each of the previous eight weeks for Kansas, missed his first game of the season this past Saturday. His coach said Hartzog inured an Achilles tendon at practice last week and hasn’t yet received clearance to return. Beaty doesn’t expect to have the receiver against ISU.

• However, the offense should get junior center Joe Gibson back in the offensive line rotation after missing two games with a neck injury. In Gibson’s place, redshirt freshman Mesa Ribordy started at center at Oklahoma and WVU.

• A toe injury that sidelined true freshman running back Khalil Herbert the previous three games appears to be significantly better, Beaty added. The coach said KU “could have used” Herbert at WVU if necessary.

“I thought Ke’aun (Kinner, 14 carries, 65 yards, one touchdown) was playing really, really well,” Beaty said of letting Herbert rest again, “and then I thought Taylor (Martin, 14 carries, 43 yards; 45-yard TD catch) was running the ball really hard. He had some nice improvement in that game last week.”