Mangino takes the field

Last week, offensive coordinator Mark Mangino decided it was time for a change. He took to the sidelines during the Kansas State game Sept. 6, hoping it would create a spark in the offense.

“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I’m a hands-on guy,” Mangino said. “I like to look the players in the face, to get the feel for what the sideline is all about. I want to be able to interact with the coaches and players on the field.”

During the first game of the season, Mangino had made the decision to coach from the press box. Before the game even started, however, Mangino said he knew he had made a mistake.

“I tried it, sitting upstairs, and that’s just not me,” Mangino said. “It was tough. I had absolutely no communication with one player during the North Dakota State game. I like to teach and be hands-on. I feel better on the field.”

Even though being in the press box can have its advantages, Mangino said a hands-on style of coaching is the kind he prefers, but it’s hard to accomplish that from the press box.

And after just one game on the sidelines, the players could already see a difference.

“I think I like that much better with him on the sidelines,” said running back DeVondrick Nealy. “He’s the ultimate motivator as well as a coach. I think that gives us a better opportunity to have a better chance to win.”

Scherff questionable

When Iowa takes the field Sept. 13, it may be without one of its best linemen. Left tackle Brandon Scherff suffered a knee injury last week and is currently listed as day-to-day.

“He is a tremendous player,” said ISU coach Paul Rhoads. “He’s going to be a high NFL draft pick and he’s a guy that we very much recruited hard here at Iowa State. He’s been a great player for them through the years. I can’t say enough positive things about the guy.”

Scherff was recently listed as a possible top 10 pick in the 2015 NFL draft, as well as named as a preseason All-American. Scherff had minor surgery on his knee Sept. 9, but the timetable for his return is still unlisted.

There was a time when Scherff was a top prospect for the Cyclones as well. Rhoads even feels that they had a good shot at getting him to play at Iowa State for a time.

“He had an Iowa State background, and we thought we had a good chance,” Rhoads said. “In the end, something turned and we just couldn’t pull him back.”

Whether or not Scherff will play Sept. 13 when the Cyclones head to Iowa City, defensive coordinator Wally Burnham says nothing has changed in their preparation.

“We prepare like he’s there,” Burnham said. “It won’t change the preparation at all. We’ve got to play the same plays, whoever is blocking us in that position. It’s really immaterial for us who’s playing, we just need to play our game.”