One thing is certain about Mark Mangino’s coaching style: He isn’t complacent.
Following close losses to Northwestern and Texas Tech, the Kansas University football coach reiterated Tuesday that personnel changes were possible heading into Saturday’s game at Nebraska.
Mangino talked specifically about creating a deeper offensive line rotation, but not at the expense of the defensive line.
“We always look at moving guys back and forth,” Mangino said, “but my intention here is to maybe play with more than five offensive linemen the majority of the game.”
Mangino wasn’t specific, but he did say sophomore transfer Matt Mann “is certainly a guy that’s in the mix.”
Mangino criticized the offensive line following Saturday’s 31-30 loss to Texas Tech. He said after the game changes were in order, and he hasn’t changed his mind.
Still, it’s not something that’s concerning him too much.
“I think our offensive line is going to be fine,” he said. “We have to continue to tweak it, but I don’t want to give the opinion that we’re in a panic. We’re not.”
The Jayhawks rushed for just 86 yards on 35 carries Saturday as KU was shut out in the second half of the Tech game. Against Northwestern, running backs John Randle and Clark Green combined for 43 yards on 18 carries.
Whether fatigue or the lack of cohesion has been a factor in the line’s struggles, Mangino thinks another body or two could make a difference.
“I don’t have a problem with it,” senior center Joe Vaughn said. “Either way, I think we’ll play better because I think we’re going to work hard this week in practice to correct the mistakes we made.”
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Heaggans update: Mangino said kickoff return specialist Greg Heaggans would not play at Nebraska.
The junior recently has had run-ins with the law and hasn’t played in each of the last two games. The latest public incident came early Sunday when he was assaulted at Abe & Jake’s Landing, 8 E. Sixth St., in part of what police said was a large melee.
Mangino said the decision to sit out Heaggans on Saturday had nothing to do with the latest incident. He said he hadn’t heard anything to make him believe Heaggans did anything wrong at Abe & Jake’s, and he wasn’t violating any team rules by being out.
“Talking with him, and our administration talking to law enforcement,” Mangino said, “somebody came up to him and just whacked him.”
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Coker still questionable: Mangino said nothing definitive regarding the availability of offensive lineman Tony Coker, who still is recovering from a preseason ankle injury. Mangino lists Coker as day-to-day.
“He may or may not (play),” Mangino said. “I know it’s not a very clear answer, but that’s all I know at this time from talking to the medical staff.”
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Players of the week: For the second time this season, the KU coaching staff chose not to name an offensive player of the week. No player was chosen following KU’s 21-3 season-opening victory over Tulsa, either.
Defensive end Jermial Ashley was named defensive player of the week after registering a sack and two tackles for a loss and applying constant pressure on Tech quarterback Sonny Cumbie, who threw four interceptions.
John Randle was cited on special teams.
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