"Cliff's Notes version: Mark Mangino press conference, 10/6/09" by The Newell Post / LJWorld.com

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Cliff's Notes version: Mark Mangino press conference, 10/6/09

Here is the Cliff's Notes version of Kansas football coach Mark Mangino's comments at his press conference today.

• Iowa State is a disciplined team and plays to its strengths.

• The bye week is good for all young players because you have time to assess what they've done so far instead of worrying about a game plan for the next week.

• Right now, Mangino thinks the offensive line is ahead of schedule. A lot of that has to do with the intelligence of the group. The guys also are coachable. There are bigger challenges for them ahead, but Mangino likes the track they are on now.

• Last year's Iowa State game has been used as an example of, "This is what happens in college football when you take things for granted." The team did a great job of coming back, but if you take your opponent for granted, you're going to get stung.

• Jake Sharp has not progressed as well from his injury as the coaches originally thought. By Thursday's practice, if he can execute everything at full speed and 100 percent, then the coaches will play him. If Sharp shows any signs of not being OK, then he will not play. His quickness and his speed are his greatest asset, so if he's not healthy, Mangino will be hesitant to use him in a limited role.

• Mangino on kicker Jacob Branstetter: "I think the world of the kid. He's competitive." Branstetter gets told by coaches how high and where each kickoff should go to best fit KU's coverage. Mangino said Branstetter is so competitive that if it doesn't go where he's supposed to kick it, he races down the field to try to save the day (much like Superman or Underdog, Mangino said) with a tackle. Branstetter also put on 15 pounds in the offseason. "Now he's really cocky," Mangino joked.

• Mangino told his players at halftime last year against Iowa State, "This is a good test of your courage."

• Mangino said that last year's team perhaps heard too many times about its similarities to the 2007 team. "What you need is to get spanked a few times," the coach said. Mangino said the South Florida game and the first half against Iowa State humbled his players and helped re-focus them.

• Mangino said you have to be practical on field-goal attempts and understand weather and field conditions. Assistant coaches tell Mangino what Branstetter's cutoff point is with and against the wind for each game based on his warmup kicks. Mangino said he wouldn't hesitate to let Branstetter try a 48-yard field goal attempt.

• Defensive lineman Quinton Woods has picked it up a little bit. In the last couple weeks, he's realized there's a certain standard of work ethic that he needs to meet. The demands on a player at KU are probably a little bit higher than in junior college. Mangino thinks Woods made some big strides this week. He's also a likable guy. "I look for him to contribute here before it's all said and done here this year," Mangino said.

By Jesse Newell

October 6, 2009

The Newell Post

Discussion

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6 October 2009
at 1:07 p.m.

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ralphralph (Anonymous) says…

This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
6 October 2009
at 1:23 p.m.

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Bob_Keeshan (Anonymous) says…

This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
6 October 2009
at 1:25 p.m.

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LTJayhawk24 (Anonymous) says…

This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
6 October 2009
at 1:49 p.m.

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JOEHAWK (Anonymous) says…

Wow Ralph, I agree with one point. Coach does need to lose some weight.

The rest is way off. I believe he is in the top 10% of coaches as far as winning in the past two seasons. He gets the most out of the talent he has and is adding more talent every season.
6 October 2009
at 1:51 p.m.

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biggunz (Anonymous) says…

whats with all the comments being removed? Are you guys just being *ssholes?
6 October 2009
at 2:10 p.m.

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Greyracquetballer (Anonymous) says…

Coach Mangino is a winner! His systems and strategies produce “W”'s and more importantly he is preparing successful young men for life's challenges.
6 October 2009
at 2:19 p.m.

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Bob_Keeshan (Anonymous) says…

My comment was removed for playing on the name ralphralph.

Some people use ralph as a verb.

6 October 2009
at 2:32 p.m.

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SoonerNation1 (Anonymous) says…

KU Finally gets into the “meat ” of their schedule ….4-0 right now …. Lets see what the Big XII brings ..
6 October 2009
at 2:53 p.m.

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Kash_Encarri (Anonymous) says…

The “meat” doesn't arrive until your boys roll into town in a couple of weeks. I just hope our boys take care of business before then.
6 October 2009
at 2:59 p.m.

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Gootsie (Anonymous) says…

Ignorant simple minded people will attack his size.

Those who have intelligence and know the sport will applaud his efforts.

I think he rocks!
6 October 2009
at 5:48 p.m.

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TomJohnHorner (Anonymous) says…

I note with much interest the comments about Mangino's weight. I too carried too much and had 3 heart attacks as a result. I think Mangino is a great coach and would hate to lose him for any reason. Therefore, I suggest that he go on a weight loss program. I will pledge $1 a pound lost and kept off for one year. I am sure there are many more that would pledge. LJW could this be a good fundraiser?
TJH