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Mangino knows mystique
But the former OU assistant isn't afraid of Owen Field.
  
By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer
Published: 10/14/2008  2:13 AM
Last Modified: 10/14/2008  2:21 AM

But the former OU assistant isn't afraid of Owen Field.



NORMAN — Kansas coach Mark Mangino worked as an assistant at the University of Oklahoma from 1999-2001, so he knows how daunting it can be for opponents to play at Owen Field.

But Mangino also was OU's offensive coordinator the last time a Big 12 Conference opponent left Norman with a victory — the 2001 Oklahoma State game, a 16-13 Cowboys victory — so he sees no reason his Jayhawks can't repeat that trick this week.

"A lot of our kids, they've been around a while," Mangino said Monday. "They've played in some tough venues. They've played in Lincoln (Neb.), they've played in College Station (Texas), they've played in Austin, and so on. This is what you get when you play in the Big 12. You go into some hostile places. But we're not going to get bent out of shape about that."

Oklahoma has won 21 consecutive home games against Big 12 opponents since that '01 upset. No. 4-ranked OU (5-1 overall, 1-1 Big 12) and No. 16 Kansas (5-1, 2-0) kick off at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

"We have to be well prepared as we go into Norman this weekend," Mangino said.

The Jayhawks might be undefeated and in the Top 10 if not for a late interception thrown by quarterback Todd Reesing in a 37-34 road loss at No. 19 South Florida on Sept. 12. USF kicked a field goal two plays later to win the game as time expired, letting loose delirious fans onto the field at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.

"We feel like a lot of our players have been in tough environments," Mangino said. "There's no question it's a tough environment in Norman. I guess I don't want to use the word 'tough environment.' It's a really great venue for college football. It's an exciting place, and our kids should feed off of the energy that's in the stadium.

"It's a great place to play. The fans are classy, but they're loud. But, they're not allowed on the field. Oklahoma's only allowed to send 11 guys on the field against our 11. So hey, let's give it our best shot."

Kansas comes into the game with the Big 12's No. 2-ranked defense in total yards, rushing yards, pass efficiency and points allowed, and the league's fourth-most prolific passing offense (331 yards per game).

OU lost 45-35 to Texas on Saturday, but Mangino said he doesn't believe the Sooners will suffer a post-Texas lull. Under Bob Stoops, OU is 9-0 after the Texas game.

"Oklahoma is steady, and they are not a team, not a program that's based on emotion," Mangino said. "They are workmanlike; they come out and play well every week, week after week. You're not going to see anything different from them. They're going to be ready to play, and they have great pride.

"I look for them to be ready to play and showing no effects of coming off a loss."



John E. Hoover 581-8384
john.hoover@tulsaworld.com
By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer

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3 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!
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Bird1, Tulsa (10/14/2008 8:05:36 AM)
Mangino hit on something about our Sooners. We are a machine, like the Cowboys under Landry. Switzer had Charisma and lit a fire under the players. Maybe we need some of that emotion from the 70's & early 80's. College ball is more complicated now and the businesslike coaching is good, but something is missing when we reach the Bowl season. Maybe it's the increased parity of teams and our expectations are too high. The coaching is there. The talent is there. The support is there. Our post conference play is not. What is missing?
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soonerguy, Tulsa (10/14/2008 6:35:45 PM)
I saw a clip of Stoops in 2000, and he was yelling and pumped up. And it wasn't after a disapointing play or stupid penalty. He was pumped up for the game and for the win. Now all we get is stonefaced-stoops. I think we need to see some fire in Stoops again.
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Sodumdum 83, Bella Vista (10/14/2008 7:16:09 PM)
We seem to forgrt that the one thing that got us the champainship in 2000 is that we had no injuries that year. I'll take stonefasced Stoops anyday. I like being in the hunt each year. With parity and any team being able to beat the other on any given day, it takes luck, good coaching and no injuries to reach the top. Go Sooners.
 

 
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