After a closed scrimmage April 5, ISU offensive coordinator Mark Mangino and defensive coordinator Wally Burnham both came away with the same conclusion.

There is still work to be done for the ISU football team this spring leading into the 2014 season.

As the spring game approaches April 12, and ISU fans get their first look at Mangino’s offense, the new offensive coordinator said his unit is about where he thought it would be after nine practices in a new system. However, it is the little things that will need to be shored up before the ball really starts rolling.

“Fundamentally we’ve got a lot of work to do, mechanically in our offense we’ve got a lot of work to do,” Mangino said. “We can get there, and we will get there, but right now we have a lot of work in front of us.”

Of his offensive group, Mangino went on to say that he and his staff have not had to coach anyone’s effort, and the players are all engaged on the field.

A point of concentration during spring ball, heading into the 2014 season will be the offensive line, which was riddled with injuries last season and also saw former coach Chris Klenakis depart for Louisville after just one season of leading the offensive line for the Cyclones.

After a tumultuous season in 2013, Mangino said the offensive line has grasped a new role.

“I like the way they approach the game, and they’re a very caring bunch of guys that really care about their performance and with most teams, the offensive line is the heart and soul of your unit and those guys have taken on that role and taken it seriously,” Mangino said.

On the other side of the ball, Burnham said his defensive unit has struggled with inconsistency and missed opportunities for big plays.

“Sometimes, our playmakers — which we don’t have an abundance of right now — are not making plays when they have a chance, which is very disappointing, so we’ve got to get that going a little better,” Burnham said.

During the closed scrimmage, Burnham said the defense was able to create three turnovers after a slow start, making way for some optimism. 

“Today was a good practice, not a great practice, but the first group is a lot better than the second right now, and we’re trying to build some depth,” Burnham said. “They’re all getting equal snaps during practice and rotating, and we’re getting the guys out there that need to be out there, so we’re still working hard.”