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September 22, 2009
Here is the Cliff's Notes version of Kansas football coach Mark Mangino's comments at his short press conference today.
Full audio is posted here.
• Players of the game, voted on by the coaching staff: Offense: Todd Reesing; Defense: Jake Laptad; Special teams: Alonso Rojas; Defensive scout team: Defensive tackle Duane Zlatnik; Offensive scout team: Quarterback Christian Matthews.
• After watching the film, Mangino feels like the team is improving every week.
• Southern Miss has a wide-open offense with a lot of different formations and a lot of different looks.
• Southern Miss is the fastest team KU has faced to this point.
• Mangino said that KU won't do anything different defensively to match up against 6-foot-6 receiver DeAndre Brown. The coach said his team just had to play fundamentally well.
• Daymond Patterson's transition wasn't easy to cornerback. It took some time, but he worked at it. He's developed confidence and is playing the ball in the air well. He also doesn't leave his feet to play the ball, which is a positive.
• Mangino doesn't see Patterson pressing at punt return. He thinks the sophomore is doing what he's been coached to do: He's trying to find his blocks and follow the path that's been designed for him. Mangino thinks that Patterson is doing a good job.
• The coach is happy with how his team has defended the run. The team still needs to work on not overpursuing the ball.
• The Wildcat offense isn't foreign to KU's defense. The Jayhawks have worked against it in the past and have a plan for defending it.
• Huldon Tharp was eased into his current role at linebacker. He was put in situations early on where he could succeed. As time goes on, though, he's playing more and more, and Mangino thinks he'll end up being a key guy for KU on defense.
• Vernon Brooks is getting better. Mangino is pleased with his progress. The coach looks forward to him playing more snaps.
• Mangino hasn't been disappointed with his linebackers. He's been happy with their effort and their attitude.
Comments
chrishauser20 (anonymous) says...
I thought Arist Wright looked pretty good this weekend. He did have some problems with over persuit like HCMM stated above about the defense as a whole. Wright also did a good job spying the QB (which is his second assignment after the running back does not get the ball) when we went to the 4-2-5 hybrid on passing downs. He had a pass deflection and almost interception on the same play. I am really impressed how this guy puts his pads on people. I really think the hybrid line has been effective on 3rd down passing situations.
September 22, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KU_Alumn_2000 (anonymous) says...
Chrishauser20...I completely agree with your observation on arist wright...I noticed the same thing. His speed and quickness to the ball isn't too shabby either. Arist seems to have good instincts and does little things that helps the defense as a whole.
We're really gonna need our defense to step up Saturday and play with energy and passion. There could be a lot of points put up on the board in this intriguing matchup.
September 22, 2009 at 7:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dagger108 (anonymous) says...
Any word if Wright is practicing again? It stinks to lose him, but shows all the more the depth that we have @ LB, and all the more if Vernon is getting into the mix.
September 23, 2009 at 4:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Maxhawk (anonymous) says...
Wright looked to have been knocked unconscious on a tackle. I hope he is doing OK. Tharp has great football instincts and good speed. He over ran a couple plays Saturday but he is a play maker.
September 23, 2009 at 10:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chrishauser20 (anonymous) says...
dagger108- Arist was going 100% in practice according to HCMM.
September 24, 2009 at 10:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )