KU quarterback Michael Cummings briefly leaves Saturday’s game with injury

After leading Kansas to a touchdown on its first two offensive drives, junior quarterback Michael Cummings faced a dilemma. He had suffered a shoulder “stinger” on the second play of the game, and the pain and discomfort was growing.

He could play the rest of the half at less than 100 percent, or he could head back to the locker room, where the trainers could look at his shoulder.

“It was frustrating,” Cummings said, “because I wanted to keep that ball rolling.”

Cummings headed to the locker room, while sophomore Montell Cozart stepped on the field. After receiving treatment and some pain medication, he headed back into the game.

“It happened on the second play of the game,” said Cummings, who finished 24 of 40 for 278 yards. “It’s just a stinger, I guess, but I wasn’t going to come out the game. So I just had to fight through it.”

▪ Junior receiver Nigel King became the first KU receiver to post a 100-yard receiving game. King, a first-year transfer from Maryland, finished with five catches for 101 yards.

▪ KU senior Keon Stowers was not in uniform on Saturday after suffering a neck injury last week at Baylor. Earlier in the week, coach Clint Bowen said Stowers was “day to day” and would likely be limited if he played against Iowa State.

This story was originally published November 8, 2014 at 9:20 PM with the headline "KU quarterback Michael Cummings briefly leaves Saturday’s game with injury."