SIU heads to the Little Apple this week to face Kansas State. The Wildcats started their season with an impressive 24-7 win over Stanford in a neutral site game in Arlington, Texas over the weekend.
The Wildcats are coached by former North Dakota State head coach Chris Klieman. Klieman went 69-6 at North Dakota State and won FCS Championships 4 of his 5 years there. At Kansas State, he's gone 13-11 and 9-9 in the Big 12.
Last season Kansas State went 4-6 with a win over #3 Oklahoma on the road but also suffered losses to Sun Belt Arkansas State and 2-7 Baylor. This season, the Wildcats were predicted to finish 7th in the Big 12 preseason media poll:
Only 1 player showed up on the Preseason All-Big 12 team from Kansas State, Kick/Punt Returner Phillip Brooks, a Junior from Lee's Summit, Missouri.
Players to know:
QB: Skylar Thompson
Thompson threw just 14 passes in Week 1 against Stanford going 9-14 with 1 INT for 144 yards. He was most effective last week using his legs as he rushed 10 times for 33 yards and 2 rushing touchdowns. Thompson is a Senior from Independence, Missouri and has played sparingly in his 5 year career at Kansas State. His best season came in 2019 when he threw for 2,315 yards with 12 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. In addition to that, he also rushed for 405 yards and 11 rushing touchdowns.
RB Deuce Vaughn
Vaughn is an electric player in the mold of former Kansas State RB and NFL Pro Bowler Darren Sproles. The 5'6 Sophomore running back rushed 13 times last week for 124 yards and a touchdown. Last season Vaughn rushed for 642 yards and 7 touchdowns and added 434 receiving yards (both led the team) in his Freshman season which led to him being named to the Maxwell Award watch list and Doak Walker Award watch list.
Links:
Kansas State HC Chris Klieman Press Conference
The Deuce is loose, this guy might be the most fun player in college football:
Did I hear N Hill say they would bus out to KState?
Did I hear N Hill say they would bus out to KState?
Yeah, 7+ hour bus ride.
Did I hear N Hill say they would bus out to KState?
Yeah, 7+ hour bus ride.
What’s the distance have to be before they fly? 8 hours in a bus is a long trip especially considering the size of several players.
Hey, they don't have to make it in one great leap don'tchaknow? Drive to K.C. and spend the night, then drive over Saturday...BTW that's what our groupd is doing.
“The best thing about freshmen is that they become sophomores.”
-- Al McGuire
Did I hear N Hill say they would bus out to KState?
Yeah, 7+ hour bus ride.
What’s the distance have to be before they fly? 8 hours in a bus is a long trip especially considering the size of several players.
I think it’s more about saving money than anything. The Dakota games are the only guaranteed fly games for football. If the money existed, I’m sure they would prefer to fly to games like this, but that’s a lot more seats to buy than say the basketball team.
Maybe the 450k from this game will help the cause.
And Manhattan is a good ways off I-70. Try to stay awake driving I-70 through Kansas!
Nick Hill Press Conference:
Kansas State HC Chris Klieman Press Conference:
https://www.kstatesports.com/watch/?Archive=15841&type=Archive
Seeing some of the KSU fans predicting a 50 burger on the Dawgs D.
Seeing some of the KSU fans predicting a 50 burger on the Dawgs D.
My biggest worry is our run defense not being able to stop Vaughn but I think we will give them a good challenge. And really that's all you can ask for. We'll play our butts off
Seeing some of the KSU fans predicting a 50 burger on the Dawgs D.
My biggest worry is our run defense not being able to stop Vaughn but I think we will give them a good challenge. And really that's all you can ask for. We'll play our butts off
100%! This game will come down to run defense and limiting explosive plays. Our offense should be able to put up some points (albeit not what we did against SEMO). The other concern for me is our run game. We didn't need it against SEMO, but we will absolutely need it to help control the game against K-State and we didn't look great save for a handful of chunk plays. We need to be able to control the clock and limit possessions for their offense.
Can't wait for the game on Saturday, hope we can pull out a big W!
