One play after taking a vicious hit in a 2004 game against Colorado, Kansas University quarterback Jason Swanson dropped back to pass, unleashed a wounded duck and walked to the sideline in pain.

That’d wrap up Swanson’s playing time for almost an entire calendar year.

A shoulder injury ended his 2004 season, and then a nagging injury to his left knee in August derailed his chances at playing in 2005 for six games.

Swanson’s first crack back on the football field came Saturday – against Colorado, of all teams.

Ironic, huh?

“Yeah, my mom was saying the same thing,” Swanson said. “I got on the phone, and she said ‘Don’t you go getting hurt now.’ I said, ‘All right, mom.'”

He didn’t, surviving a couple licks to complete 26 of 50 passes for 291 yards and a touchdown. After the muddled play of multiple quarterbacks to that point, Swanson’s poise in the pocket was a big relief to KU coaches, who promptly named Swanson the starter for Saturday’s noon tilt with Missouri at Memorial Stadium.

No sign of rust

Cobwebs would’ve been understandable against the Buffaloes, but KU coach Mark Mangino didn’t see any – and didn’t feel the need to adjust at QB.

“We ran the same exact package,” Mangino said, “and we feel like after the way he performed and delivered the ball that we will expand a few things with him this week.”

That might mean running the ball more, something that gave Swanson an edge in the quarterback race last season. After the 2004 season ended with two quarterbacks hurt and a dark horse (Brian Luke) emerging as a serious candidate, the competition lasted through spring workouts and into the summer.

Then, Swanson hurt his knee and immediately was knocked out of the marathon.

“I couldn’t do anything,” Swanson said. “I couldn’t do running, I couldn’t do the drop backs, I couldn’t do anything.

“Basically, I was sitting there idle. Once you do that, you start falling behind, you start losing reps you would take in practice, and you start to just mentally get a lazy attitude.”

Time to re-evaluate

Swanson admits he became lackadaisical because of his inability to contribute. During preparation for the season opener against Florida Atlantic, he did nothing. He was considered out of the race and a long shot to ever take the field.

“It just took a re-evaluation to what was going on,” Swanson said. “Sitting at home thinking to myself, as I was getting better, it’s time to pick things back up where I left off.”

So he went to the coaches and asked to be worked back into the mix. They responded by putting him as the scout-team quarterback for Appalachian State week. With his injury still bothering him, he could do only shotgun snaps and had zero mobility if the pocket were to collapse.

Gradually, he improved, though he stayed on the scout team for another month.

Starting call

Then, when Brian Luke and Adam Barmann struggled, Swanson was put on second-team offense. Soon after that, first-team.

When Luke was injured after an ineffective performance against Colorado, Swanson assumed the leadership role for most of the Colorado game. The offense, as many noticed, immediately flourished.

“I think his play was definitely uplifting,” linebacker Banks Floodman said. “He came in there cold after not playing during the season, and I thought he did a great job.”

The KU coaches agreed, and Swanson’s now ticketed to start in a make-or-break game for KU’s season.

Swanson’s ready – he’s put up with too much in the last year not to be.

“Growing up as a kid, you always wanted to play in the big game and help your team,” Swanson said. “That’s what I’m looking forward to doing this weekend.”

¢ Luke ailing: Kansas University quarterback Brian Luke, who played three series against Colorado before getting hurt, is expected to miss practice until Thursday.

“All of his tests were negative,” KU coach Mark Mangino said of Luke, who was favoring his right leg Saturday on the sideline. “He’s not 100 percent by any stretch. He’s got a pretty good limp, and he’s in pain.”

Luke was replaced by Jason Swanson, who threw for 291 yards and surely grabbed the starting QB spot regardless of Luke’s health.

¢ Cantrell to start: Mangino again spoke highly of freshmen offensive linemen Ryan Cantrell and Anthony Collins, who played extensively against Colorado.

Cantrell started at right guard, and will again Saturday. Collins played most of the game at right tackle, though Matt Thompson made his 31st consecutive start.

“Anthony is going to play,” Mangino said, “and we’re going to start Ryan Cantrell again. He earned it.”

¢ Another meeting: KU football icon and Missouri-hater Don Fambrough will speak to the KU Quarterback Club at 5:30 p.m. today at the Eldridge Hotel.

For more information on the Quarterback Club, call 864-3196.

¢ Working on it: Still no game time set for the Nov. 5 clash against Nebraska, which was not selected to be televised through the Big 12 Conference package.

The holdup, however, is with pay-per-view television options, which associate athletic director Jim Marchiony said were being discussed as of Tuesday afternoon. A kickoff time is expected to be finalized today.

¢ Rideau promoted: Former KU wide receiver Brandon Rideau is back on the Cleveland Browns’ active roster after spending most of the season on the practice squad. The 6-foot-3, 200-pounder replaced injured cornerback Gary Baxter on the active roster Tuesday.

Former Jayhawk David McMillan, also on the Browns’ roster, has played in two games and recorded a tackle on special teams this season.

¢ Swanson, Ashley cited:

Mangino said Tuesday that Swanson was named offensive player of the week for the Colorado game, while Jermial Ashley was cited for defensive play. Scott Webb earned special-teams honors after kicking two field goals and an extra point.