Watch Coach Klieman’s Press Conference | Listen to Coach Klieman’s Press Conference and Select Players via Wildcats Uncut

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman and players met with members of the media on Tuesday at the Vanier Family Football Complex as Wildcats prepare for the 2019 edition of the Dillons Sunflower Showdown at Kansas on Saturday. A complete transcript of Klieman’s press conference (also streamed live on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ and archived here) are posted below, in addition to select comments from players.

 

The Wildcats and Jayhawks kick off at 2:30 p.m., on Saturday inside Memorial Stadium in Lawrence in a game that will be televised by FS1.

CHRIS KLIEMAN, HEAD COACH

Opening Statement…

“Good afternoon everybody. (It) was obviously a really exciting day on Saturday. (We) got the guys together for the first time yesterday and kind of reviewed and talked about the game, a lot of the positive things. We talked about some of the things we need to continue to improve upon. We really flipped the page pretty quickly because we have a big game this week against KU. They’re playing really well and with a lot of confidence. I thought our guys had a really good practice yesterday; it was our first workout since the game. We got through the game relatively good from a health standpoint other than Eric Gallon, who will be lost to the season with a knee injury. It was unfortunate that we lost Eric because he was playing well and increasing his role. Our thoughts are with Eric moving forward.”

 

On paying attention on the process…

“You hope that the process is beginning to be ingrained into those guys, but you’re always reminding them about why we’ve had success. I think success is defined by each day just getting better and not worrying about Saturday. We can’t worry about Saturday today or on Thursday. We have to handle it each day. That’s kind of been the whole message throughout the entire season. Even when we had a couple losses in a row, I felt we were improving as a football team. That’s all you can ask for is just continuing to get better on a daily basis.”

 

On the importance of the Sunflower Showdown…

“I know it’s a big game, obviously, with the Governor’s Cup, the trophy game and those things, and I think those things are neat. They’re part of college football, the rivalries. I think those are great. But once again, we can’t get caught up in all that. We have to get caught up with making sure that we come up with great game plans this week and that the guys understand the details of the plan, don’t get ahead of ourselves and make sure we have a great week of prep.”

 

On recruiting implications of the Sunflower Showdown…

“I think all of our games in the Big 12, because of proximity with all the recruiting areas, have an impact, without question. This one’s really no different. They recruit a lot of the same areas, whether it is local or out of state as we do. So, every week it’s impactful.”

 

On the status of Jordon Brown…

“He didn’t practice yesterday, but we envision him practicing some today and should be ready to roll full speed by Wednesday.”

 

On how to prepare for Kansas’ offense with a new coordinator and if he sets aside the other games…

“Well, I don’t think you set them totally aside. Yes, you have to see how it’s differently called in those last two games, without question, but they’ve also had a lot of the same formations, probably a lot of the same terminology for a number of weeks. So, we have to look at the whole body and then maybe focus in – Scottie (Hazelton) would – on how it’s called. Maybe it’s a little different. We’re just kind of digging into that. I know this – the level of confidence that those guys are playing with, obviously they bought in quickly to the change. I think the quarterback, (Carter) Stanley, and all the skill kids are playing really, really well and playing with a lot of confidence.”

 

On if they’ve faced an offense like Kansas’…

“Probably not. Everybody is unique in their own way in the offenses that we have played. Everybody knows there’s tremendous offenses in this league. I think KU’s just really solid in their balance right now. They get into a lot more personnel groups than a lot of the Big 12 teams we’ve played so far. They can pack it in with a couple of tight ends and a couple wide receivers, or they can spread you out in four-wide. Obviously, the running back (Pooka Williams) can do so many things in and out of the back field, and they hand him jet sweeps and stuff. I know they’re continuing to put more of their offense in. So, I think we’ll see some unique things or different things that we haven’t seen so far this year. (I’m) really impressed with their offense right now.”

 

On how he has handled rivalry games in the past…

“Well, the kids knew about them. The players did, that’s the biggest thing. You always try to focus on that game, the next one on the schedule. If it’s the rivalry game, great. I’ve been told by a number of people – I’ll give you the name – Gus Bradley. Gus played at North Dakota State and Gus has been a long-time coach in the NFL. He always told me, ‘Don’t put too much emphasis on one game, because what are you going to do the other 10 weeks of the year?’ Or 11 weeks of the year? Or, for him, 15 or 16 (weeks). So, it is important, I’m not downplaying that, but you better just attack each day and attack what we have in front of us, which is to try to learn the game plan each day.”

 

On the importance of limiting turnovers…

“Turnovers are, obviously, really important and we’ve been fortunate that Skylar (Thompson) has done a really good job taking care of the football. Explosive plays are another big factor. We were a little bit more even this week. Even though Oklahoma had a number of explosive plays, we had a number of them ourselves. The field position and time of possession game – to a lot of people it’s not important, (but) to our whole offense it is because of us methodically moving the football down and being able to run the football with a degree of success. It takes time off the clock and keeps a prolific offense off the field.”

 

On the play of Skylar Thompson the last couple weeks…

“Just comfort level, continuing to learn more about the offense, continuing to have conversations with Coach (Courtney) Mess (Messingham) and Coach (Collin) Klein about the things that they’re seeing, the things that he’s seeing. I’ve asked him to have more input on the things that he’s watching during the week of things that he really likes. Mess is really good about, ‘Hey, I want to know what you would like on 3rd and medium. I’d like to know what you like on a 1st and 10 in the play-action game. What are things that you see because you’re out there. You’re the one that’s going through it on a play-by-play basis.’ So, I just think he’s continuing to get more comfortable, and we’re talking about seven games into this tenure that he has in our offense.”

 

On his first impression of Skylar Thompson and what made him think they could work well together…

“One, he’s a great competitor. He wants to be great. He wants to be challenged. He’s a football junkie. He loves the nuances, the X’s and O’s and those things. He works extremely hard at his craft, whether that’s mentally or physically, he works extremely hard. I’m glad it paid off for him on Saturday. I know he feels he can continue to get better.”

 

On finding a rhythm for the offense…

“Running the football, obviously, is the big key and us not having negative plays. We did not have as many minus-2, minus-3 plays where you get into a 2nd and extra long, or you have a good, then on second down you have a poor play and you’re back to 3rd and long . We were pretty good on 3rd and medium-to-long last week. That’s a testament to Skylar (Thompson) seeing the field so well. We were able to open up some things in the passing game simply because we were able to rush the football. That’s paramount to our success in the offense we’re running. Whether it’s inside run, which we were able to pop a few, as well as the perimeter run.”

 

On if they have asked any positions to do something incredibly different than the previous staff…

“No idea from the previous staff. All of our guys, we talk all the time on Sundays when we come back in after a win after or a loss, ‘What more we can get out of each position?’ We go around the room of who’s guys played really well, who’s guys are coming along that are understanding our schemes better, who’s playing faster. That’s the thing that we kept harping on this week is, we’re learning more about the systems. Is it perfect? No it’s not. It’s a long ways away, but we’re playing faster. I thought that’s what I’ve seen, big picture, over the last three weeks is we’re playing faster, not only in practice, but now it’s translating over to some Saturdays too.”

 

On if the players were focused for this week yesterday or still thinking about the win…

“A little bit of both. (We) had a meeting with the captains, and they were moved on. It was a great, great victory, but they were moved on. I know that they echoed a lot of that in the locker room. We always have a team meeting on Monday, go through some of our awards, and then flip the page and say, ‘Ok, here’s this week’s goals and objectives of what we need to do to be successful. Now let’s go execute on Monday. Let’s learn the small details on Monday so that we can hone in Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.’ Like I said, I thought we had a really focused group out there yesterday. (It) probably helped that there was some snow in the air and it was a cool night, but it wasn’t windy, so it was actually pretty pleasant out there. Some of the guys probably hadn’t ever seen snow. I don’t think Josh Youngblood had seen much snow before in the past. It was a good practice and the guys focused on the new game plan, because each week we have to come up with some new things, offensively and defensively, to give our guys a chance to be successful.”

 

On the Oklahoma game will be a turning point for the offensive line…

“I hope so. I know we have a lot of good football players there. You guys know we have a lot of good football players there, but I also caution our guys just like I do every week. What you did in the previous game has no bearing on the next game. You can’t compare scores, and you can’t say, ‘Well, we ran the football well this week. That means we’re going to next week.’ It doesn’t work that way. This game is too hard. There’s too good of coaches. There’s too good of players. Each week is a brand new week in this league.”

 

On if he has crossed paths much with Kansas head coach Les Miles…

“None other than when he was hired at KU and I was hired here, we had a couple interactions at some different functions that we were at. I had good conversations, although quick, I had good conversations. (I) obviously have tons of respect for Les in the profession with his longevity and how well he’s done and his sustained success. I think all of us can see what he’s done in a short period of time at the University of Kansas which has been really productive and really good.”

 

On the passing ability of Kansas quarterback Carter Stanley…

“One, is he’s got a grasp of the offense. You can tell in the last two weeks he’s understood a lot of things really well and the ball comes out on time. I’ve seen Texas try to pressure him. He knows where he’s going with the football, the pressure doesn’t get there because he knows how to get the ball out. He sees coverages really well. He sees match ups really well. I think he throws the deep ball extremely well, and we’ve seen that against a lot of people where there’s people right on guys. They’re electric at wide receiver, now. They have some great players at wide receiver. It’s not just, ‘Well, you have to stop just one guy.’ There’s a bunch of guys that can beat you at wide receiver. He’s distributing the ball to all of them. As you watch him, especially early in the season and then as he’s come on late in the season, I think he has a real good connection with a number of guys at receiver, and he is throwing the ball well.”

 

On what the Kansas game means for Jax Dineen…

“We were happy to get Jax in the recruiting process. We thought he had a chance to help us as a true freshman. He’s done a nice job. He played a little bit more last week, and we continue to get him more and more involved in the plan. I’m know that it was probably not easy for the Dineen family to see somebody go to Manhattan. But, in the same respect, Jax loves it here He’s a great fit here, and he has a lot of good buddies here. He’s embraced being a Wildcat, and he loves being a Wildcat. I’m excited to see him, not only this week, but as he continues on his career.”

 

On Kansas’ defensive front seven…

“They have a bunch of them. I like their front seven. They have a bunch of veterans on the defensive line. They’re long. They’re really athletic. They cover ground. They’re strong, and they get off blocks. For us to focus on one guy, I think they have a bunch of guys who are really good up there.”

 

On how pleased he’s been with Offensive Coordinator Courtney Messingham…

“I’ve been around Mess my whole life. I just love the guy because he’s a competitor, and he’s a great play caller. I’ve seen it, not just in the last three years, but I’ve followed his career when I wasn’t with him. He doesn’t ride the roller coaster. He has a plan. He sticks to the plan. He’s really good in the staff room because he wants input from all coaches, and not a lot of guys will really take that. Sometime they ask for the input, will he use it? I was, obviously, really happy for Mess because once we had some things going in the run game, it’s a lot easier to call plays. If you can run the football, it opens a lot of things up. If you struggle to run the football, a lot of people could call it, and it just doesn’t work if you can’t find a way to get the run game going.”

 

On if Khalid Duke replaces Eric Gallon on the third down jet package…

“We have to look at that and see. That was a significant role based on trying to find a guy that we could spy Jalen Hurts. Whether it was Eric or Khalid, they can both play a little bit until (Eric) got hurt. I think each week will be a little bit different. We’re not to the third-down stuff yet with our game planning, so we’ll see how that goes as the week goes on.”

 

On the emphasis on performing well on special teams…

“I think you always have to place great emphasis on special teams. It’s the same thing with anything else – you can’t put too much emphasis on it one week. You better have a sustained amount of excellence on teams. In all of our wins, special teams have been a big, big factor. This past week, we get the fumble recovery on the pooch kick. Devin Anctil has a couple of big-time punts against. Blake (Lynch) was on point. We made some takes against a great returner. This week’s no different. We have to be able to flip the field position with our kicker and punter, and we need to find a way to make an explosive play on returns, especially to get a short field for our offense. I think that’s critical.”

 

On a three-running back formation and its effectiveness in the offense…

“(It) always has been a part of this offense, dating back to our time at NDSU. It’s obviously more effective when we had Jordon (Brown) because now you have Jordon, James (Gilbert) and Harry (Trotter) that are experienced, older guys. When you can have three tailbacks back there, you don’t know which way it’s going. We’re scratching the surface on a lot of things that we can do out of that formation. Does it mean it’s a big part of this game plan? I don’t know. You’ll have to talk to Coach (Courtney) Mess (Messingham) on Thursday. We look at things and see if it’s a fit, and if it is, we’ll roll some things out with it. We haven’t seen it every week. We’ve seen it some weeks, and part of that has been, obviously, the injury factor to Jordon.”

 

On Harry Trotter’s impact in the run game despite limited carries…

“Harry is a team guy and wants to do anything he can to help us win. When Jordon (Brown) came back, that was going to limit some of his opportunities, but he didn’t care. He just wanted to play and win. We’re trying to incorporate him into a few more special teams because he’s a really good football player. He’s a team guy. I told the guys, that’s why we won the game and that’s why we’re having some success. It’s all about the name on the front of the jersey. It’s all about the team. It’s all about us embracing the offense, defense, special teams, and our scout team was really good last week. Our offensive and defensive scouts gave us a great look, and that’s hard to do when you’re not in the mix. I think Harry is a great representation of, ‘Hey, if this is my role, I’m going to own the role. I’m going to embrace the role, and I’m going to dominate the role.’ So, I hope a lot of the young guys can learn from a Harry Trotter.”

 

On the Oklahoma win impacting recruiting…

“I think it’s still a body of work. I don’t want it to be one game. Obviously, that game was a big game and a big win, but it’s still your overall body of work.”

 

On if there were any lessons learned from a big win earlier this year at Mississippi State…

“Part of it was a bye week, too, in there. We’ve talked about the rhythm of playing football. It’s something we visited about with the captains. Do you learn something about that? Do you learn something after losing a couple in a row? You’re never as bad as you think you are. You’re probably never as good as you think you are, either. Once again, it kind of goes back full circle to the first conversation we’re having here – you better attack each day in your preparation, because if you don’t prepare Monday through Friday, you don’t have an opportunity to be successful Saturday.”

 

On what he liked from the defense in the win over Oklahoma…

“That we limited them to field goals. You’re not going to stop that offense. That offense is phenomenal. I think we had a great third quarter. They only had a couple possessions and didn’t do much in the third quarter. So that was really key, but the other things were first drive, limiting them to three. A couple other times, limiting them to a field goal. That was really important. We played better on defense. We know we have to continue to play better for us to be successful, but I know the guys are seeing it as they watch film over the last few weeks that we are getting better, but we still have a long way to go to get where we want to be on defense.”

 

 

 

——————

RYAN LACKEY

Director of Football Communications

 

 

 

EXHIBITION #2

KANSAS STATE (0-0) vs. WASHBURN (0-0)

Wednesday, October 30, 2019 >> 7:02 p.m. CT >> Bramlage Coliseum (12,528) >> Manhattan, Kan.

 

COACHES

Kansas State: Bruce Weber (Wis.-Milwaukee ’78)

Overall: 463-244/22^nd season

At K-State: 150-89/8^th season

1. Washburn: 3-0

 

Washburn: Brett Ballard (Kansas ‘03)

Overall: 79-48/5^th season

At Washburn: 46-18/3^rd season

1. Kansas State: 0-0

 

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

Kansas State

G: #00 Mike McGuirl

G: #2 Cartier Diarra

G/F: #20 Xavier Sneed

F: #34 Levi Stockard III

F: #14 Makol Mawien

 

Washburn

G: #5 Drew Maschoff

G: #12 Tyler Geiman

G: #20 Jalen Lewis

G: #32 Kevin Biggs

F: #42 Jonny Clausing

 

SERIES HISTORY

Overall: K-State leads 6-0 [exhibition]

In Manhattan: K-State leads 6-0 [exhibition]

Last Meeting: W, 73-58 [11/4/2016 in Manhattan]

Weber vs. Ballard: First meeting

 

OPENING TIP

• Kansas State (0-0) wraps up its brief two-game exhibition season at 7 p.m., CT on Wednesday night, as the Wildcats play host to Division II foe Washburn (0-0) at Bramlage Coliseum. The team opened exhibition play with an 86-49 win over MIAA opponent Emporia State on October 25, as senior Xavier Sneed paced three players in double figures with 18 points. The 86 points were the most in a home exhibition in nearly eight years (2011), as the Wildcats scored nearly half their points (40) while converting 23 Hornet turnovers into 34 points. It marks the first time since the 2017-18 season that K-State will play two exhibitions after playing just one in 2018-19.
• The Ichabods, who have posted consecutive 20-win seasons under head coach Brett Ballard, return nine lettermen in 2019-20, including a pair of starters in Tyler Geiman and Will McKee, from a squad that won 24 games and advanced to NCAA Division II Tournament in 2018-19. Washburn, which also welcomes nine newcomers, was picked third in both the MIAA Preseason Coaches and Media polls.
• K-State is 68-20 (.773) all-time in exhibition play dating to 1964, including a 53-9  (.855) record at home. The Wildcats have a 47-9 (.839) record in exhibition play at Bramlage Coliseum, including 25 consecutive wins dating back to 2004.
• The Wildcats have six victories over the Ichabods during their current 25-game win streak, including 94-90 (in three overtimes) on November 4, 2006, 81-57 on November 9, 2008, 90-44 on November 7, 2010, 81-61 on October 30, 2012, 68-56 on November 9, 2014 and 73-58 on November 4, 2016.
• K-State won its last exhibition with Washburn, 73-58, on November 4, 2016, as the Wildcats were able to pull away in the first half with hot shooting, connecting on 56.7 percent (17-of-30) from the field, including six 3-pointers, before holding on in the second half. Current Orlando Magic player Wesley Iwundu had a double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds to lead all players, while Barry Brown, Jr., added 15 points. Only two Wildcats – Xavier Sneed and Pierson McAtee – remain from that game, as Sneed came off the bench to score 9 points in 25 minutes.
• K-State has primarily played the Kansas members of the MIAA (Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association) since switching to Division II teams in exhibition play in 2004, which includes six meetings with Washburn, five with Emporia State and Pittsburg State and four with Fort Hays State.
•  The last home setback in exhibition play came to the EA Sports All-Stars, 79-67, on Nov. 6, 2003. Overall, the last loss in an exhibition came during the team’s tour of Italy and Switzerland last summer – an 85-74 setback to the Kosovo National Team on August 16, 2016. The Wildcats went 3-2 on the tour.
• K-State is 15-0 under Bruce Weber in exhibition play at home with wins over Washburn (81-61) and Emporia State (81-51) in 2012, Pitt State (75-54) in 2013, Washburn (68-56) in 2014, Emporia State and Fort Hays State (70-52) in 2015 and Pitt State (85-72) and Washburn (73-58) in 2016 and Missouri State (78-62), Fort Hays State (79-56) and Emporia State (77-44) in 2017, Pittsburg State (79-39) in 2018 and Emporia State last week.

 

LAST TIME OUT: K-STATE 86, EMPORIA STATE 49

• Senior guard Xavier Sneed poured in a game-high 18 points, while freshmen Antonio Gordon and Montavious Murphy added 16 and 10 points, respectively, as Kansas State opened exhibition play with an 86-49 victory over Emporia State on Friday night before 8,805 fans at Bramlage Coliseum.
• The 86 points were the most in a home exhibition game in nearly eight years, as the Wildcats scored more than half their points in the paint (40) while converting 23 Hornet turnovers into 34 points. The last time the team scored this many points in an exhibition came in a 90-60 win over Fort Hays State on November 6, 2011.
• In addition to the trio in double figures, seven other Wildcats registered at least two field goals on night, as K-State connected on 45.6 percent (36-of-79) from the field, including 35.5 percent (11-of-31) from 3-point range. The 11 made 3-point field goals were the most-ever in an exhibition game, surpassing the 10 against Washburn in 2010 and Pittsburg State in 2016. The team also held a 20-2 edge in fast-break points, thanks in part to 11 steals.
• In all, the 36 made field goals came on 27 assists, including a game-high 7 from junior newcomer David Sloan. The team turned it over just 11 times.
• Sneed scored his game-high 18 points on 7-of-11 field goals, including 3-of-6 from 3-point range to go with 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals in 24 minutes, while Gordon went 7-of-10 from the field, including 2-of-4 from long range, with 7 rebounds in a little over 20 minutes. Murphy collected a double-double with a game-high 11 rebounds to go with his 10 points. Junior Cartier Diarra added 9 points and 5 assists.

 

NOTES ON WASHBURN

• Washburn returns 9 lettermen, including a pair of starters in juniors Tyler Geiman (8.8 ppg., 5.2 rpg.) and Will McKee (6.2 ppg., 5.5 rpg.) from a team that posted a 24-8 overall record, including second-place finish in the MIAA with a 15-4 mark, and advanced to the NCAA Division II Tournament  in head coach Brett Ballard’s third season in 2018-19. The team lost to Missouri Southern, 101-100, in the NCAA First Round on March 16.
• The Icabods averaged 83.2 points on 47.8 percent shooting, including 39 percent from 3-point range, with 38 rebounds, 17.2 assists, 6 steals and 3.3 blocks per game, while allowing opponents to average 74.5 points on 43.5 percent shooting, including 36.1 percent from long range, in 2018-19.
• Geiman, who started 31 games a season ago, was an honorable mention All-MIAA selection after leading the team in assists (5.5 apg.), 3-point field goals (60) and minutes (1,019). He also scored in double figures in 8 of his last 12 games, including 11 points in the NCAA Tournament. McKee, who tied for the team lead in rebounding (5.5 rpg.), started in 29 games in 2018-19. Others returning include sophomore Jalen Lewis (8.5 ppg., 1.2 rpg.), junior Jace Williams (2.4 ppg., 2.4 rpg.), sophomore Jonny Clausing (1.7 ppg., 1.6 rpg.) and sophomore Isaiah Thorne (0.6 ppg., 0.3 rpg.).
• Washburn will also welcome 9 newcomers in 2019-20, including 5 transfers and 4 true freshmen. Transfers Drew Maschoff (Pratt Community College) and Kevin Biggs (Fort Lewis) are expected to start, alongside Geiman, Lewis and Clausing. Maschoff averaged 11.8 points as a sophomore at Pratt in 2018-19, while Biggs was a second team NJCAA All-American after averaging 17 points and 5.8 rebounds a season ago.
• Head coach Brett Ballard enters his sixth season as a head coach with a 79-48 (.622) overall record, including a 46-18 (.719) mark in his third season at Washburn. A former player (2000-02) for Roy Williams and a staff member (2003-09) at Kansas for head coach Bill Self, Ballard was head coach at Baker (33-30 record) from 2010-12 before becoming an assistant at Tulsa (2012-13) and Wake Forest (2014-17).
• Ballard is 16-3 vs. K-State in his time at Kansas, but he did lose his last meeting against the Wildcats, 95-88, as an assistant at Wake Forest in the 2017 First Four in Dayton, Ohio.

 

TOM GILBERT
Director for Men’s Basketball Communications | K-State Athletics

 

 

 

 

MANHATTAN, Kan. – With the first regular-season game of the 2019-20 men’s basketball one week away, K-State Athletics has announced details for the fan-favorite Bramlage Bundle ticket packages.

 

The popular Bramlage Bundles will be available for four select games this season. The package includes a bench/general admission ticket, $10 concession voucher and a select souvenir.

• North Dakota State on Tuesday, November 5
  • $20 / Big 12 Champions on-court celebration towel
• Marquette on Saturday, December 7
  • $40 / White Nike Hat
• Tulsa on Sunday, December 27
  • $40 / Love Your Melon K-State beanie
• Baylor on Monday, February 3
  • $40 / K-State Hawaiian shirt

 

Limited quantities are available for each package so fans are encouraged to order early. Bramlage Bundles can be purchased online at www.kstatesports.com, by phone at (800) 221.CATS (7787) or in-person at the Bramlage Coliseum ticket office.

 

K-State is already offering several season and mini-plan ticket options, including the Flex Season Ticket, Big Game and Pick 5 mini-plans as well as Wildcat 4 Packs and Bramlage Bundles, to provide affordability and flexibility. Season tickets are also available starting at $345, or just $100 for young alumni who have football season tickets.

 

K-State concludes its brief two-game exhibition season at 7 p.m., CT on Wednesday night, as the Wildcats play host to Division II foe Washburn at Bramlage Coliseum. Tickets start at $5 for advanced bench and general admission with $3 tickets available for groups of 12 or more fans. The game will be broadcast on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.

 

–www.kstatesports.com–

 

Kansas State University, the nation’s first operational land-grant institution and a Carnegie Foundation Tier One university, is recognized as one of the nation’s best colleges with world-class research and academic excellence located in America’s No. 1 College Town (Manhattan, KS).

————
TOM GILBERT
Director for Men’s Basketball Communications | K-State Athletics

 

 

MANHATTAN, Kan. – The Big 12 Conference and its television partners announced Monday that Kansas State’s November 9 contest at Texas will kick at either 11 a.m., on FS1 or at 2:30 p.m., on either ABC or ESPN. The time and TV designation will be announced on Sunday.

K-State holds a 10-9 series lead over the Longhorns, including a 9-6 mark since their first meeting as Big 12 foes in 1998. The Wildcats, who are looking to break a two-game winning streak by the Longhorns overall, are 3-7 all-time in Austin and are in search of their first win at Texas since 2011.

Kansas State takes on Kansas for the 117^th edition of the Dillons Sunflower Showdown this Saturday in Lawrence. The game, which kicks off at 2:30 p.m., will be aired on FS1.

CATS TRAVEL TO LAWRENCE FOR SUNFLOWER SHOWDOWN
Following a dramatic 48-41 win over No. 5 Oklahoma, 22nd-ranked K-State heads east to Lawrence on Saturday for the 117th edition of the Dillons Sunflower Showdown against Kansas. The game, which will kick at 2:30 p.m., will air on FS1 with Cory Provus (play-by-play), Petros Papadakis (analyst) and Shane Vereen (analyst) on the call. The contest can be heard across the 39-station K-State Sports Network with Wyatt Thompson (play-by-play), former K-State quarterback Stan Weber (analyst) and Matt Walters (sidelines) calling the action. The game can also be heard on SiriusXM (S: 83, X: 381, Internet: 970) in addition to the TuneIn app.

A LOOK AT K-STATE

• K-State has won two games in a row following its 48-41 triumph over No. 5 Oklahoma last week, and the Wildcats have opened the Chris Klieman era with five impressive victories – highlighted by last week’s win and a 31-24 triumph at No. 23 Mississippi State in September.
• K-State has rushed for 1,396 yards this year on 301 carries as it ranks fifth in the Big 12 in rushing and ranks 10th in school history in yards per carry (4.62).
• The Wildcats also have 20 rushing touchdowns – including six last week against OU – after tallying only 20 rushing scores a year ago. Of the 20 scores, 12 have come from running backs after the group accounted for only 13 last season.
• Quarterback Skylar Thompson – who has four game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or later in his career – has thrown for 1,207 yards and seven touchdowns with one interception, while three receivers – Dalton Schoen, Phillip Brooks and Malik Knowles – each have at least 15 catches and 100 yards on the year.
• The K-State defense enters the week ranked highly in many statistical categories, including third down defense (2nd; 25.3%), first downs allowed (10th; 116), passing yards allowed (27th; 187.1), scoring defense (35th; 21.9) and pass efficiency defense (36th; 120.02).
• K-State has given up just four passing touchdowns through seven games this season, which is the best start since the 2002 team also gave up four through seven games. It also is tied for the fewest nationally this season with Ohio State, Kentucky and Penn State.
• The Cats have surrendered only 19 total third down conversions this season, which are the fewest in the FBS.
• Senior safety Denzel Goolsby (34 tackles) is one of seven Wildcats with at least 20 stops on the season.
• Eighteen different Wildcats have at least a half tackle for loss for a team total of 35, led by Wyatt Hubert’s 6.5. The sophomore also leads the team with 4.0 sacks.
• Cornerback AJ Parker has a team-high three interceptions to tie for second in the Big 12.
• The Wildcats possess a great kicker/punter duo as Blake Lynch ranks 12th nationally in field goal percentage (90.0%), while Devin Anctil ranks ninth in the nation with a 46.3-yard punting average.

A LOOK AT KANSAS

• Kansas enters the Dillons Sunflower Showdown fresh off a 37-34 home win over Texas Tech last week to improve to 3-5 on the season and 1-4 in Big 12 play.
• Carter Stanley leads the Jayhawk offense with 1,900 yards passing and 19 touchdowns through the air.
• Pooka Williams is averaging 100.6 yards per game on the ground and has three rushing scores.
• Five different receivers have 20 or more catches, led by Andrew Parchment’s 42.
• Defensively, Bryce Torneden leads the squad with 53 tackles.

  A LOOK AT THE SERIES

• Kansas leads the all-time series, 64-47-5, but Kansas State has won each of the last 10 meetings and 23 of the last 28 dating back to 1991.
• The Wildcats’ average margin of victory over the last 10 years is 25.6, while they have hit the 45-point mark in five of those contests.
• However, the series has been closer as of late with the last three games being decided by a margin of 9.7, including last year’s 21-17 K-State victory in Manhattan.
• Kansas State has won each of the last five meetings in Lawrence by an average score of 35-14, the last being a 30-20 victory in 2017.

RYAN LACKEY

Director of Football Communications

After their 48-41 win over the Oklahoma Sooners this past Saturday Kansas State has climbed back into the polls.

The Wildcats are ranked 22nd in the Associated Press poll and 25th in the Amway Coaches poll.

Kansas State plays at Kansas next Saturday.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — It was supposed to be a prime-time showdown between the Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs, division leaders each led by two of the most talented and exciting quarterbacks in the NFL.

Aaron Rodgers and the Packers lived up to the billing.

Patrick Mahomes never got the chance.

Rodgers threw for 305 yards and three touchdowns, two of them to Aaron Jones on a big night for the Green Bay running back, and the Packers held off fill-in quarterback Matt Moore and the rest of the banged-up Chiefs for a 31-24 victory Sunday night.

“I totally trust our quarterback,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said, “and I trust Aaron Jones as a receiver. He made some great plays all night long.”

Jones, who briefly left with a shoulder injury, had seven catches for 159 yards and added 67 on the ground — a big chunk of them in the closing minutes, when the Packers (7-1) sealed their first win at Arrowhead Stadium since Nov. 4, 2007.

“He’s very talented,” Rodgers said, “and I think this scheme is giving him the opportunity to do a lot more out of the backfield. You know, we’re splitting him out and throwing the ball to him. We kind of caught lightning in a bottle there a couple of times. Hit him on a slant-and-go for 50 and on a screen pass for 70 or whatever. He’s a talented guy. I’m very proud of him.”

The Chiefs (5-3) hoped Mahomes could make a miraculous recovery 10 days after dislocating his kneecap in Denver in time to play. But after the league MVP was limited all week in practice, coach Andy Reid announced Friday his franchise quarterback would be inactive for the game.

Moore took the reins of the high-powered offense and fared well, throwing for 267 yards with two touchdowns and no picks in the ex-high school coach’s first start in more than two years.

It wasn’t the Rodgers-Mahomes matchup everyone wanted, but Moore and Co. made sure it was still an entertaining game between teams with Super Bowl aspirations.

It started like most outside the walls of 1 Arrowhead Drive expected, with Rodgers slicing up the defense and Green Bay marching for two quick touchdowns.

But after a shaky start by Moore, the journeyman quarterback found a groove. He led the Chiefs on an 89-yard drive that ended with a make-it-rain 29-yard touchdown pass to Travis Kelce, then found Mecole Hardman on a 30-yard pitch-and-catch to knot the game.

The Chiefs led 17-14 at halftime, raising some eyebrows across the league.

“Once we got in the flow,” Moore said, “we were kind of rolling for a little while.”

LaFleur made a couple adjustments, though, and Rodgers and Co. began to move the ball once more. They used a 15-play drive that soaked up more than half the third quarter to get a tying field goal, then got the ball back when LeSean McCoy fumbled on the very next play.

Five players later, Rodgers conjured up more of his magic.

With third down at the 3, he dropped back and was flushed from the pocket. He rolled to his right and threw a blind pass to the back corner of the end zone, where Damien Williams somehow took the ball away from Chiefs linebacker Ben Niemann while tapping both feet inbounds.

Rodgers was lying flat on his back, staring at the sky, as the official signaled touchdown.

“I truly believe he was throwing it away,” Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu said.

The Chiefs answered with another long drive, and just when it appeared they had finally been stopped, the Packers’ Tramon Williams was flagged for illegal use of hands. That gave Kansas City the ball inside the 5, and Damien Williams scored on the next play to tie it again.

It took the Packers all of 56 seconds to score the eventual winner.

Rodgers again found Jones out of the backfield, and this time he found a lane through the entire Kansas City secondary. It was a foot race from there, and the speedy running back hop-skipped over the goal line to finish off the 67-yard touchdown reception.

“He’s an explosive weapon,” LaFleur said. “You don’t find too many running backs that can go out there and produce like that. You don’t see many running backs that you can put them on the outside and run a slant-and-go. I think he’s dynamic as a runner, a receiver, a pass protector.”

The Chiefs were forced to punt on the ensuing possession and never got the ball back.

“We played hard and aggressive,” Reid said, “but you know? When two good teams play each other, sometimes a turnover here or there can affect you and that’s a little bit what happened tonight. But we can all do better, starting with me and my guys.”

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Douglas Coleman fumbled on a blocked field goal return with two seconds to go and Liam Jones capitalized with a 32-yard field goal to give Kansas a 37-34 win over Texas Tech on Saturday night.

Nick McCann blocked Jones’ 40-yard attempt and the ball landed in the hands of Coleman, who ran to his left before attempting a lateral that did not touch another Tech player. Kansas regained possession and Jones sealed their first Big 12 win of the season.

Kansas (3-5, 1-4 Big 12) overcome an early three-possession deficit — and the ejection of team captain Bryce Tornedon for targeting.

Trailing 17-0 midway through the second quarter, the Jayhawks rallied heading into halftime, cutting the deficit to 17-14 as Carter Stanley rushed into the end zone to get Kansas on the board and then connected with Stephon Robinson for a 48-yard touchdown the following drive.

Stanley fueled the Jayhawk victory with 415 yards passing and four total touchdowns. Stephon Robinson Jr. caught six passes for 186 yards and two touchdowns.

Jett Duffey and Sarododrick Thompson were the main contributors in the Red Raiders’ 483 yards of total offense. Duffey connected on 23-of-34 attempts for 271 yards while Thompson rushed for 80 yards for Texas Tech (3-5, 1-4).

THE TAKEAWAY

Texas Tech: The Red Raiders’ hopes for bowl eligibility dwindle. In search of at least three wins through its final four matchups, Texas Tech finds West Virginia, TCU, Kansas State and Texas on the docket.

Kansas: The Jayhawk offense produced 527 yards in Brent Dearmon’s second matchup as offensive coordinator after 48 points and 569 yards of offense against then-No. 15 Texas. The switch at offensive coordinator appears to be paying off for previously-struggling offense.