Turner Gill probably can?t point to too many easy moments in his path from Buffalo to Lawrence, and he can cross off one more obstacle after picking his second starting quarterback in fewer than two games of coaching at Kansas University.
Gill announced that freshman Jordan Webb will start at quarterback when the Jayhawks host Georgia Tech this weekend. Webb finished last week?s game, a sloppy 6-3 loss to FCS-level North Dakota State, after replacing former first-teamer Kale Pick in the second half.
Of course, not all decisions have an obvious choice, and it?s not always due to superb competition. Neither passer proved much in Gill?s Big XII debut. Pick lost an interception and hit on 13-of-22 passes for only 138 yards, and Webb wasn?t much better, completing just 6-of-11 for 59 yards.
Webb?s inability to move the offense won?t offer loads of confidence heading into a showdown with a stickier Georgia Tech team, but at least he didn?t turn it over, and his time was coming eventually, either way.
Thankfully for the Jayhawks, the offense could be afforded precious time to work out the kinks under center. Georgia Tech?s defense has given up 1012 rushing yards and nine scores on the ground over their past four games, and they were bruised for 172 by South Carolina State in their own opener. Still, like all new coaches, Gill is taking a chance attaching his legacy to Webb, a wet-behind-the-ears passer with fewer than 60 yards through the air and no touchdowns in his career.
Another backfield shakeup might be in order as well. As much as he?ll likely be needed to slow a stinging option attack, returning Toben Opurum to running back could be the next difficult decision Gill?s forced to tackle. Last season?s leading rusher was moved to linebacker to boost a sagging stop unit, but the experiment could end soon if the scoreboard continues to cringe. Good thing the head coach knows how to make the tough calls.
Gill announced that freshman Jordan Webb will start at quarterback when the Jayhawks host Georgia Tech this weekend. Webb finished last week?s game, a sloppy 6-3 loss to FCS-level North Dakota State, after replacing former first-teamer Kale Pick in the second half.
Of course, not all decisions have an obvious choice, and it?s not always due to superb competition. Neither passer proved much in Gill?s Big XII debut. Pick lost an interception and hit on 13-of-22 passes for only 138 yards, and Webb wasn?t much better, completing just 6-of-11 for 59 yards.
Webb?s inability to move the offense won?t offer loads of confidence heading into a showdown with a stickier Georgia Tech team, but at least he didn?t turn it over, and his time was coming eventually, either way.
Thankfully for the Jayhawks, the offense could be afforded precious time to work out the kinks under center. Georgia Tech?s defense has given up 1012 rushing yards and nine scores on the ground over their past four games, and they were bruised for 172 by South Carolina State in their own opener. Still, like all new coaches, Gill is taking a chance attaching his legacy to Webb, a wet-behind-the-ears passer with fewer than 60 yards through the air and no touchdowns in his career.
Another backfield shakeup might be in order as well. As much as he?ll likely be needed to slow a stinging option attack, returning Toben Opurum to running back could be the next difficult decision Gill?s forced to tackle. Last season?s leading rusher was moved to linebacker to boost a sagging stop unit, but the experiment could end soon if the scoreboard continues to cringe. Good thing the head coach knows how to make the tough calls.
