Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Having wrapped up spring practices last week, coach Mark Mangino summarized the offseason as productive but stopped short of embracing talk of his team’s status as Big 12 North favorites.
“Look what speculation did to Wall Street,” Mangino said during Tuesday’s Big 12 coaches teleconference. “We don’t pay any attention to it. We know that we have to earn our way. We understand that as a team and appreciate the fact the people look at us in that way but we’ve got a lot of work to do.”
CHECKING UP ON LUEKEN
Mangino addressed the status of sophomore offensive lineman Ben Lueken, who was injured during an April 5 incident at the Jayhawker Towers. Lueken was struck or fell from the hood of an SUV and spent several days at the University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City.
“Ben is feeling good and doing well. I saw him yesterday and he looks great and he’s recovering just well,” Mangino said Tuesday.
An investigation into the incident was initially undertaken by the KU Public Safety Office, but Capt. Schuyler Bailey confirmed that it was forwarded to the office of Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson where it is still under review.
WHAT MANGINO ISN’T SAYING
Mangino told reporters he could not yet comment on the status of suspended junior running back Jocques Crawford, whose suspension was announced after the April 11 spring game, but would issue a statement when he felt it was appropriate.
Mangino was also asked about the status of sophomore wide receiver Dezmon Briscoe, who has been suspended all spring for a violation of team policy.
“I have no comment on any issues I’m dealing with in house,” Mangino said.
RECOVERING FROM ATTRITION
As for on the field, several stories that were hot topics this spring will resonate through the summer and into the fall. Replenishing three linebacker positions as well as three graduated starters on the offensive line join a preseason conversation that already includes the final season of quarterback Todd Reesing, wide receiver Kerry Meier, running back Jake Sharp and safety Darrell Stuckey.
“Our linebacking area is an area where we are improving but we still need to take every practice in August to get that position where it is,” Mangino said. “There are a lot of new faces there, but I think we’ll put together a good group.”
The coaching staff continues to deliberate about who will fill in for graduated perennial starters Joe Mortensen, Mike Rivera and James Holt.
“Arist Wright has shown some signs that he can do some really good things,” Mangino said. “Angus Quigley is a really good athlete, he can run around and run to the ball. We also have Jake Schermer, who has been with us and has done some good things.”
Mangino added that speed would be required of the new starters and that some of next season’s contributors may be players who aren’t yet on campus.
“We have some young kids coming into the program and we’ll be anxious to see them and what they can contribute in the fall,” Mangino said.
Between preparing his seniors for one final go at a conference title and retooling this year’s positions hit by graduation, Mangino and his staff have been busy. After a stretch that saw Kansas win back-to-back bowls for the first time, Mangino says the team has built a stable foundation.
“We’re on solid ground,” Mangino said. “You need a lot of things to happen to win a championship, there are a lot of things involved. But there’s no question our program is on solid ground.”
— — Edited by Chris Hickerson
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