K-Stated

Kansas State football coach Bill Snyder issued a warning yesterday to anyone who thinks Bryce Brown is the slam-dunk pick to be named starting running back when fall training camp comes to an end.

John Hubert, a 5-foot-7 sophomore from Waco, Texas, could also win the job.

“He’s being competitive for the No. 1 spot,” Snyder said of Hubert. “It’s not as though the depth chart is set and he’s out of the picture and comes in to slow it down or speed it up, whatever the case may be. He’s being competitive for it.”

Brown, a former high school All-American and Tennessee transfer, boasts a 6-foot, 220-pound frame and is expected to ultimately be K-State’s top ball-carrier next season. But it is interesting that he is being pushed during spring practices.

Hubert appeared in seven games last season and rushed for 30 yards on 12 carries. He is known as a small, elusive runner, and one of the top high school players (at least statistically) to come out of Texas in 2008. As a senior, he rushed for a whopping 2,853 yards and 41 touchdowns.
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The Big 12 announced its all-conference team, as voted on by league coaches, today. Seven Kansas State players were honored, with William Powell leading the way as the first-team kick returner.

Daniel Thomas, Zach Kendall and Ty Zimmerman (who was named Big 12 defensive freshman of the year) made the second team. Josh Cherry, Stephen Harrison, Aubrey Quarles and Terrance Sweeney were honorable mentions.

But junior cornerback David Garrett, for some reason, did not make the cut. I guess the 11 Big 12 coaches allowed to vote for him weren’t impressed by his team-leading 86 tackles (13 for loss) or nine pass break-ups this season.

Too bad. Garrett has established himself as a consistent force on the Wildcats’ defense, and some consider him to be the best defensive player on the roster. For three members of K-State’s secondary to be honored, and one of them not to be Garrett, seems crazy.

Will Collin Klein start against Missouri on Saturday? Or will Carson Coffman regain the top quarterback spot?

Kansas State football coach Bill Snyder did not address that topic during his weekly segment of the Big 12 Teleconference today, but he did say there is a chance both quarterbacks will see action.

“I’ve never been committed to saying that we can only play one guy,” he said. “We’re in a position where we have less than 70 guys on scholarship. We don’t have a stock pile of people. We have to play to the talents of the youngsters that we have.

“You have to utilize all your youngsters the best that you can. That’s true at the quarterback position like it is anywhere else … I don’t have a problem playing two.”

Klein made the first start of his career against Texas two days ago and torched the Longhorns with his running ability. The sophomore rushed for 127 yards and two touchdowns, and added a whole new element to the Wildcats’ running attack. But he was also asked to throw the ball four times. Coffman is a stronger passer.

Snyder said he would like more balance against Missouri. So platooning both quarterbacks could make some sense.
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Before last week’s game against Iowa State, Bill Snyder told Daniel Thomas to be ready to carry the load.

No problem, Thomas thought to himself. In the days leading up to that 27-20 victory, K-State’s senior running back said he felt comfortable getting 30 carries a game. He ended up touching the ball 34 times, and rushed for 181 yards and two touchdowns.

Other than being a little tired, Thomas said he enjoyed the work load.

“I want the ball every play if I can take it,” Thomas said.

Clearly, Thomas is a tough and durable player. Snyder said he never takes himself out of the game. But even a workhorse like Thomas — who is now up to 552 yards on 83 attempts through three games — has his limits. He has to, right?
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Kansas State defeated Iowa State 27-20 on Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium. Daniel Thomas did most of the leg work by running for 181 yards and two touchdowns on 34 carries, and the Wildcats are hoping to parlay their 3-0 start into a promising season.

Here’s a look at everything that transpired — good, bad and interesting — between the Wildcats and Cyclones:

FIVE THINGS THAT WENT WELL
1. Thomas deserves first mention. Before the game started, K-State coach Bill Snyder told the senior running back to be ready to carry the load. He did.

The Wildcats went to him a career-high 34 times, and he delivered from start to finish. It wasn’t the easiest of experiences, but Thomas said he felt strong afterward. Read More »