Kansas University football coach Mark Mangino took time from his busy schedule to answer questions from kusports.com readers Friday. Coach Mangino discussed Kevin Kane, Jason Swanson and the team's progress, among many other topics during his 10-minute chat.

Moderator: Our chat with coach Mangino will begin in just a few minutes. Thanks to coach and our readers for their time this morning.

Moderator: Coach Mangino will be ready in about five minutes. Thank you for your patience.

Michael, Overland Park: Coach, I am sure that you are already getting tired of answering questions about the "quarterback controversy", but could you describe the progression that Swanson has made in practice over the last several weeks in order to put himself into position for playing time and a possible start.

Coach Mangino: He is progressing very well. I'm very comfortable with Jason. He as a good grasp of our offense and is getting better every day.

Tony Budetti, Overland Park: Coach, great game Saturday! You have obviously closed the gap with the other teams in the Big 12 North. What can the alumni do to help you take this program to another level?

Coach Mangino: The fans and alumni have been great and just need to keep cheering loud, supporting the players and showing up to games.

Bob, Denver: Coach, like all alums, I've been so pleased with the improvement of the team. It seems to me, as an outsider, that the biggest problem I see to overcome is penalties--especially false starts and offsides. Am I imagining the problem, and, if not, what steps can the staff take to help the team overcome this tendency?

Coach Mangino: We're working hard to get that corrected. We just have to work hard and coach them to not commit penalties and bring them to their attention on the practice field so they don't commit these infractions on the game field.

Jim, Liberal: Coach, congratulations on last Saturday's win. Do you consider the program ahead of schedule in terms of where you thought you would be in year 3 of your tenure?

Coach Mangino: I feel like we're right on track and we're making the kind of progress I had hoped for. We strive to get better every day on the practice field and the game field, and I feel we are. We just need to continue improving at this pace.

Catherine, Manhattan: What has been the single most important ingredient to your success in improving the team?

Coach Mangino: There really have been many reasons, probably too numerous to put a finger on. Our team has a really good work ethic and care about their performance and the performance of the team. It's really been the attitude of the kids that has made us successful more than anything to this point.

Mike, Lawrence: Coach, what is the main thing that has made the defense so much better this year, and how big of a part is Kevin Kane playing in that improvement?

Coach Mangino: Kevin is playing a large role in our success on defense. He has been very reliable and made a lot of plays for us. He's a very smart player who knows how to get to the ball. He's played a very large role in our success on defense.

Drew, Overland Park: Coach, great job so far. My question regards our offense on first down. It just seems that we have not had much success running the shotgun on first down. I was wondering if you had been considering operating in the I-formation w/ a fullback more. Thanks and good luck at OU.

Coach Mangino: The shotgun on first down has been good to us over the years. We're always looking for ways to get better on first-and-10 so we don't get into long third-down situations, but actually the shotgun has been a good play for us on first down over the years.

Pat Haley, Topeka: How is recruiting going for next year? I know you can't provide specifics, but in general, are you seeing benefits from last season and this season?

Coach Mangino: I think recruiting is going well. There are a lot of doors open for us, a lot of prospects being receptive throughout the region and country. We just need to do a good job of getting on the right kids and recruiting the right players.

Matt, Lawrence: Congrats on the KSU win, coach! It's amazing to me how the morale of our team stays constant and focused after disappointing losses (NU, TT). How have you accomplished that?

Coach Mangino: We just try to stay on track and learn from and build on those experiences so that it makes us better and stronger. We just stay in our system and keep working, and we're firm believers that good things will happen.

Elwin Plank Andover: First of all, congratulations on beating K-State!!!!! Before the game you had some concern about how the offensive line had played recently. How do you feel that group of men played on Saturday against the Wildcats?

Coach Mangino: I think those young men are improving every week and working hard to get better. I'm really proud of their effort and how they're handling themselves. Each week they're getting better and better.

Lou, Kansas City: Great win last weekend, Coach. I loved the split backfield with Green and Randle. Can we plan on seeing more of that? Thanks and good luck!

Coach Mangino: From time to time you'll see it. It's part of our package. We don't use it exclusively, but it is something we like to do - putting Clark and Jon in the backfield at the same time.

Spencer, Concordia: Coach, what's the best thing about being associated with KU?

Coach Mangino: It's a great university and it stands for academic excellence, and it's provided an opportunity for all of us to build a great football program. It's a great university to be affiliated with.

Moderator: That does it for our chat with coach Mangino. Thanks again to him for taking some time out of his busy schedule, and to our readers for their time this morning.