Coordinator Corner: Updates on the Kansas State injury situation

GAME-TIME DECISIONS FOR KANSAS STATE

Kansas State offensive coordinator Collin Klein and defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman met with the media on Thursday afternoon and both shared what they could (or wanted to) on the health situation in Manhattan. Both had multiple players to discuss.

The uncertainty at quarterback remains. Klein did not tip his hand as to who will start under center for K-State. He described it as a game-time decision. Klanderman echoed the same about the status of Kansas State linebacker Daniel Green. He noted that he has been able to do a couple things this week.

K-STATE PLAYERS THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE

Aside from Adrian Martinez and Green, everyone else is on track to play, according to the coordinators. Ben Sinnott was listed as probable by his offensive coordinator, and Klanderman revealed that he expects to have both Julius Brents and Josh Hayes.

INCREASE IN SNAPS

Remember, Khalid Duke will also miss the first half after his targeting penalty that occurred in the fourth quarter against TCU when K-State was trailing to the Horned Frogs. In his stead will be linebacker Desmond Purnell.

Because of that, Purnell will be on the field much more than usual and be given an increased number of snaps in practice throughout the week so that he is prepared. And due to Green’s potential absence, Klanderman identified Gavin Forsha and Jake Clifton as guys that they would utilize more.

In addition to that, he also admitted that Austin Moore may have to go the distance.

I thought those two statements in conjunction with one another was particularly interesting. An increased amount of snaps for Forsha and Clifton does not align with Moore going the distance. All three have been playing the same spot this year, and none of the three have played the spot occupied by Green.

To me, that tipped off a potential position move that has been implemented this week to make up for the likely loss of Green. The only other inside linebackers on the year have been Nick Allen and Beau Palmer. Transparently, the Wildcats also won’t have Palmer this week.

THIRD DOWN

Kansas State has been the worst team in the league when it comes to third down offense. And that will be a test this week when they go up against the best third down defense in the entire Big 12. They’ll have to buck that trend even though the odds are against them.

It let them down in the second half versus TCU, for example.

On the flip side, K-State has made great leaps when it comes to third down defense. That was an area of struggle on that side of the ball before this year, but marked improvement has transpired. However, it collapsed against the Horned Frogs.

Look at the stats. The defense played well for the most part in Fort Worth. It was just all about not getting off the field and it erased all the success that they were having. And Spencer Sanders won’t make it any easier on them this week.

DRIVE BEFORE HALFTIME

Remember when I shared that the final drive before halftime wasn’t a conservative approach, and that it was likely just a product of knowing that they were in a spot on the field that could be four-down territory? Klein confirmed that on Thursday.

They threw wide to the perimeter on first down hoping to pick up four to six yards and net a solid gain on first down. It didn’t happen. They ran on second down, and that also failed. Instead of taking a shot play, which was considered, Klein and Kansas State chose a play that could provide them with enough yardage to make it a manageable fourth down.

That’s why the run with Will Howard was called. They were under the impression they had two plays to get the 11 yards in order to convert the first down. Unfortunately, there was a missed block or it probably gives them a first down all at once instead of it needing two plays.

The defense reacted to the jet action and there was a crease for Howard to scamper through if the block is executed at the point of attack.

QUARTERBACK APPROACH

K-State has two injured quarterbacks. It’s not just Martinez. It’s Howard, too. And the experiment with the third-string quarterback last Saturday in Fort Worth did not go well for the Wildcats. Does that motivate Kansas State to be a bit more careful and manage the position with their health in mind?

Klein admitted that they’ll consider it moving forward. They want to protect their players and keep them as healthy as possible. K-State is obviously a better football team when Adrian Martinez is available. They also have a shot when Will Howard can go, too. It becomes a bit dicier after that.

However, sometimes that’s tough to do. When in the thick of it and in the competitive fire of the game, players don’t think about how they are feeling unless it becomes too much and prevents them from operating at a high level because of the amount of pain they are having to endure.

When the juices get flowing, they just do whatever it takes to win and fall back on their instincts. The same can be said about a play-caller in the booth when he is in the flow of the game.

Klein actually recalled a time when he was playing quarterback for Kansas State and they were up against Texas A&M. He was very dinged up and hampered by injuries. His offensive coordinator, Dana Dimel, told him before the game that they would manage it and try to limit contact for him.

That plan didn’t materialize.

Everything unfolded and they needed Klein’s legs to win the game. 35 carries letter and he was even more sore leaving the game than he entered and he didn’t realize what had happened until afterwards. Obviously, it being a four-overtime contest contributed to that number as well.