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Jayhawks lose quarterback Cummings in annual spring game

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LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) David Beaty's first spring game as coach at Kansas could have gone better.

Senior quarterback Michael Cummings, who is fighting for the starting job, had to be helped off the field early in the second quarter after hurting his knee. Even though he was wearing a red jersey to prevent getting hit, Cummings was tackled by senior safety Michael Glatczak.

''I'm not sure exactly what happened there,'' said Beaty, who was hired last fall to replace the fired Charlie Weis. ''I was blocked on that deal. I've heard conflicting stories.''

Cummings had thrown for 43 yards before leaving the game, which the blue team made up mostly of first-team players won 20-7 over a white team comprised primarily of backups.

Beaty said that Glatczak may have been blocked into Cummings, and that it was too early to tell the extent of the injury. Cummings was still being evaluated after the game.

''He looked up at me and I said, `Hey man, you OK?''' Beaty said. ''He goes, `Coach, he didn't mean to do it. He got pushed into me.''

Beaty said that the injury ''looked like a complete freak accident.''

Meanwhile, two of the Jayhawks' top offensive playmakers never made it onto the field.

Corey Avery, their top returning rusher and receiver, sat in the stands after he was suspended for an unspecified violation of team rules. Wide receiver Rodriguez Coleman, who was arrested last December, was also suspended from the team.

Beaty said both suspensions are indefinite, and the future of both players is uncertain.

The loss of Avery could be especially damaging. Not only did he have 848 yards total offense and six touchdowns as a freshman, the Jayhawks are also without backup running back De'Andre Mann, who missed Saturday's spring game with an undisclosed injury.

Montell Cozart, who is competing with Cummings for the starting job, was 16 of 26 for 219 yards with two touchdowns and an interception for the blue team. TJ Millweard was just 2 of 8 for 12 yards with a touchdown toss to Sebastian Fairchild for the white team.

Ryan Schadler ran for a game-high 45 yards on eight carries, while Shakiem Barbel and Kent Taylor hauled in touchdown passes from Cozart for the blue team.

The Jayhawks, who have not had a winning season since 2008, are trying to build on a 3-9 finish a year ago. They open their season Sept. 5 against South Dakota State.