Highlights from today's press conference w/Coach Mangino...

Head Coach Mark Mangino

On the KU-KSU rivalry:

“This game has been played at times when both teams have had zero wins or one win a piece. The people in the state of Kansas still got excited about it because it was two Big 12 or Big 8 teams playing against each other. It is state pride. It is bragging rights. This game will always be fun for the fans. I look back over the years and it doesn’t matter what the records are, the fans look forward to this game. More importantly, the players look forward to this game. I know our players are looking forward to this game.”

Player quotes after the jump....

Head Coach Mark Mangino

On the KU-KSU rivalry:

“This game has been played at times when both teams have had zero wins or one win a piece. The people in the state of Kansas still got excited about it because it was two Big 12 or Big 8 teams playing against each other. It is state pride. It is bragging rights. This game will always be fun for the fans. I look back over the years and it doesn’t matter what the records are, the fans look forward to this game. More importantly, the players look forward to this game. I know our players are looking forward to this game.”

Senior Outside Linebacker Mike Rivera

On getting over last week’s loss:

“Last week we didn’t play very well and we have to put it behind us and get ready for the next game. That’s exactly what we are going to do. We aren’t going to think about that game anymore. We are focused on K-State.  I can’t wait to get after it in practice and get a good week in.”

Senior Center Ryan Cantrell

On if the rivalry is a factor in the game:

“I think living in Lawrence as long as I have you can’t help but to get into the rivalry more.  I think you also see how the Kansas guys feel about it and I want to win it just a little bit more for them.”

Junior Safety Darrell Stuckey

On if he is worried the image of the team is fading after a few losses:

“Sometimes things don’t go your way and I don’t think it defines or breaks this program at all.  I think we are still at a stronger point then where we were five or six years ago, before Coach Mangino got here. I still think this program is going to improve, you can’t have superior seasons every season when you are a growing program.”

Senior Linebacker Joe Mortensen

On the team clearing its minds of the Texas Tech loss:

“I really liked the attitude of the players and the coaches on Sunday.  We watched film and we just got outplayed and there is nothing you can say about it.  The attitude of the team is just to put it behind us and let’s go play K-State.  This is a big rivalry and we are always looking forward to playing them.  They are coming to our house and we are just hoping we can go out there and beat them.  The attitude of the team is fine, our practice tempo is focused and we are looking forward to trying to get a win.”

Senior Wide Receiver Dexton Fields

On the numbers the teams in the Big 12 are scoring:

“I’m really proud to be a part of an offense that can spread the ball around and any guy can have a big game.  The teams in the Big 12 can really put up points.  I can’t really think of a quarterback in the Big 12 that is below average.  That is rather unheard of.  It is just very uncommon anywhere in the NCAA for all these great quarterbacks to be in one conference.  It could be a product of the spread offense, but never the less, they are all good quarterbacks.” 

Freshman Cornerback Daymond Patterson

On his transition from wide receiver to cornerback:

“I feel that I can play both positions or just cornerback or just receiver.  I am just happy to get back onto the field and try and help the team.”

Junior Quarterback Todd Reesing

On having a big game looming and trying to put the Texas Tech behind them:

“We are obviously trying to forget about last week as quick as possible and get focused on this Saturday.  We have put that behind us, we have learned from it and we are going to move on.  We look forward to an exciting game this week.”

Full transcript available from kuathletics.com.