Photo via Tribune News Service

“Skylar’s done for the year,” Klieman said. “He had surgery last week on an upper-body injury. Unfortunately, his season is over with. But we’re going to rally around Will Howard and Nick Ast.”…Ryan Black, Manhattan Mercury, October 12th, 2020

JM:  And with that announcement, Will Howard takes over as K-State’s starting quarterback. Many questions remain.  Will Skylar return next season?  He has an extra year of eligibility due to Covid 19.  My gut says that he will.  If he does, K-State will be stacked at quarterback with Thompson, Howard and incoming four star freshman Jake Rubley.  Speaking of Rubley…

“Valley QB Jake Rubley lost his appeal and is likely done for the year. Rubley is Kansas State commit who moved here over the summer with his family and played three games for Valley.”…Scott Reister, KCCI Des Moines, October 9th, 2020

JM:  Rubley moved to Des Moines so that he could play his senior season because of Covid restrictions regarding high school football in Colorado. He played in three games before he was ruled ineligible…

“On Oct. 1, the Board of Control ruled him ineligible, in part because they ruled the family maintained a residence in Colorado. Today, an administrative law judge heard the appeal and ruled he was ineligible. KCCI spoke with family attorney Randy Wilharber, who said the ruling was because if you are 18, your motivation in moving cannot be for athletic or academic purposes.”…Scott Reister, KCCI Des Moines, October 9th, 2020

JM:  I feel bad for Rubley.  However, could this mean he might graduate early and join K-State football in the spring?  That would be an ideal situation for both parties.

“Kansas State is off to a solid start to the 2020 season but took quite a blow on Tuesday afternoon. Sources have confirmed to 247Sports that wide receiver and All-American kick returner Josh Youngblood has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal.”…Riley Gates, 24x7sports.com, October 3, 2020

JM:  This announcement by Youngblood came as a surprise to absolutely nobody.  He was practically nonexistent so far in 2020 despite being an All American returner last season.

“As a receiver, I want at least 1,000 yards receiving, 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards returning,” he told reporters Aug. 11. “Those are my goals. But if none of that happens and we win every game, that’s great and is probably better.”…Ryan Black, Manhattan Mercury, October 13, 2020

JM:  Looking back, this quote seems odd.  What happened to change his attitude between August 11th and October 13th?  Reading Youngblood’s quote above it seems like he’s a team player who just wants to win.  It makes this transfer announcement a bit perplexing.  There has been no official reason given why he transferred. 

“Parker captured the Defensive Player of the Week award, while Howard brought home Newcomer of the Week.”…Ryan Black, Manhattan Mercury, October 12, 2020

JM:  AJ Parker had a fantastic game against TCU with five tackles and a 37 yard pick six interception return for touchdown.  He deserved Big 12 defensive player of the week honors and it was nice giving Will Howard some recognition as well in his first collegiate start.

“Under the terms of his new deal, which K-State announced Monday and was first reported by Yahoo Sports national college football reporter Pete Thamel, Klieman will earn an annual base salary of $3.1 million in 2021, $3.5 million in 2022, $4 million in 2023 and $4.3 million in 2024 through 2026.”…Ryan Black, Manhattan Mercury, October 5th, 2020

JM:  I’m glad K-State gave Chris Klieman a contract raise and extension.  Gene Taylor has mentioned publicly that a lot of his friends in the industry are coming after Klieman if and when they ever have an opening.

“If Klieman leaves for another position with five or more years remaining on his contract, he owes K-State $5 million (up from $3 million in his previous deal). That amount goes down by $1 million each subsequent contract year, as he would owe K-State $4 million if departing with four years left on the deal, $3 million with three years, $2 million with two years and $1 million if there is a year (or less) remaining.”…Ryan Black, Manhattan Mercury, October 5th, 2020

JM:  I like the five million he owes if he leaves, but not that it goes down each subsequent year.  I guess that’s pretty standard though.  These salary numbers are a bit staggering.  Four million a year paid to K-State’s football coach?  I remember my freshman year at K-State in 1991 when Bill Snyder got a raise and extension to make $120,000 a year and my professors threw a fit that the University was paying a football coach so much money!

“My family and I love K-State and we are very fortunate to call Manhattan home,” Klieman said in a release. “I appreciate (athletics director) Gene (Taylor) and President (Richard) Myers for trusting my staff and me to lead this program, and we will continue to work as hard as we possibly can each and every day to not only win football games but also to help the young men in our program grow and be successful. We have made great progress in just under two years here, but we still have a long way to go to get where we want to be, and we are excited for the future of K-State Football.”…Ryan Black, Manhattan Mercury, October 5th, 2020

JM:  I love this guy.  He has exceeded my expectations so far and with recruiting on an uptick, it appears K-State football is in good hands now and well into the future.

“Compounding the challenge for K-State is the fact that the Wildcats have eight new players on their roster, including five freshmen. And freshman guard Luke Kasubke is sidelined for at least a couple of months after undergoing foot surgery.”…Arne Green, Topeka Capitol Journal, October 7th, 2020

JM:  Official basketball practice starts today and it wouldn’t be a K-State basketball season without a player on the roster with a foot injury.

“Kansas State men’s basketball will start the 2020-21 season with a home tournament. K-State’s athletics announced on Friday that the Wildcats will host the inaugural Little Apple Classic at Bramlage Coliseum. The event will run from Nov. 25 to 27, with a field featuring Colorado, Drake and South Dakota State.”…Ryan Black, Manhattan Mercury, October 9, 2020

JM: Not a bad field. K-State might go winless in this tournament!

“I think we can surprise some people.”…Bruce Weber, press conference, October 7, 2020

JM:  Are you buying this?  Let’s just say I’m a bit skeptical.