K-State head coach Chris Klieman and a handful of football players spoke to the media yesterday about Saturday’s game against Oklahoma State. I was struck by the confidence they showed as well as their anticipation for the game. I pulled some quotes of note, but first things first. Chris Klieman gave an injury update on Khalid Duke and Skylar Thompson….

“Khalid is going to be done for the year. He had a lower leg injury, so we’re sorry to hear because the kid’s a really good football player. Then Skylar just continues with his rehab. He’s not ready yet.”…Chris Klieman, 9/21/21

JM: Losing Khalid Duke for the season could end up being a huge loss for the Wildcats. Klieman was very complimentary of defensive end Nate Matlack, who will see a lot of snaps in place of Duke. That was good to hear. This was the only time Skylar Thompson was mentioned during the press conference.

“Absolutely, and we’re smart enough to realize that we’re not going to be successful in the Big 12 rushing the ball 13 times a game.”…Chris Klieman, 9/21/21

JM: Look for K-State to air it out quite a bit more against Oklahoma State than they did against Nevada.

“Yeah, it’s early in the week. I really haven’t had a conversation with Mess (Courtney Messingham) and Collin (Klein) about that specifically other than I think we saw that both players (quarterbacks Will Howard and Jaren Lewis) give us an opportunity to be successful. Both players deserve the opportunity to play, so they’re both going to be ready to play without question, and I think our football team knows that both guys can get behind center and help us win.”…Chris Klieman, 9/21/21

JM: I’m guessing we’ll see quarterbacks Will Howard and Jaren Lewis share time again on Saturday.

“We’ve been waiting for this one for a while. They’ve got the capacity, and they’re always a very talented team. Last week in Boise, they ran it 58 times. So, we’re excited to get down to Stillwater and play the game. It should be fun.”...Defensive back Ross Elder, 9/21/21

JM: “Waiting for this one for a while?” I found that statement a bit curious. There’s no real reason for this game to be marked on the calendar other than it’s the first conference game and the fact that Klieman has yet to beat Oklahoma State. Answering a follow-up question, it was clear that Elder hasn’t forgotten the last two games against the Cowboys….

“I would say in 2019 they kind of handed it to us. Last year, we felt like we could have gotten that one. We should have got that one, but they’re always such a talented team. So, they’re always hard to prepare for, but I think we’re really well prepared this year. It’s going to be a fun game.” ...Defensive back Ross Elder, 9/21/21

JM: What makes him think they’re “really well prepared this year” vs. previous years? He didn’t really say.

“It’s funny because I guess people always say we open up the Big 12 away, but I kind of enjoy it. I love playing away games. Stillwater is always such a loud environment with their paddles and stuff, and the fans are all close to you. So, it’s going to be fun. I think our team is ready for a road environment like Stillwater. So, we’re excited.” ...Defensive back Ross Elder, 9/21/21

JM: Elder is not the only one excited….

“Oh, super excited. Like Coach mentioned, this is kind of how it started in 2019. Then we got to go down there and the fans are all over you, maybe about 10 yards or so away from the players, but we’re super excited.”…Fullback Jax Dineen, 9/21/21

JM: Dineen also remembers the Oklahoma State games of the recent past…

“That was a close one. Watching the film back on it, we had a great game. We had a great scheme. We just need to keep finishing in places and execute when we have the opportunity to make big plays and I think we’ll do well.”…Fullback Jax Dineen, 9/21/21

JM: I have a hunch that they saw some things on film that they can take advantage of on Saturday.

“Oh definitely, I mean last year was a close one. We made a few last-minute mistakes. I am definitely excited about getting another shot.”..Defensive back Ekow Boye-Doe, 9/21/21

JM: There’s that word “excited” again.

“Yeah, it’s a big loss. He is a really good player, a really good pass rusher. He does a lot of different things for us. They have to account for him a lot. I think we got a lot of guys in that room. You still got Felix (Anudike-Uzomah). You got Nate Matlack. All these guys can take his place for sure.”…Linebacker Cody Fletcher

JM: While acknowledging how big the Khalid Duke loss is, Fletcher doesn’t think they will lose much production from that position. We will see.

“Those guys are going to keep pushing and keep improving every day. Will and Jaren are consistently probably the two last people on the field after practice every day working on their game. So, I can’t say enough good things about either.”…Offensive Lineman Noah Johnson

JM: I love that quarterbacks Will Howard and Jaren Lewis are friends and help each other out. It also appears that they are a couple of the hardest workers on the team. That bodes well for the future.