Kansas State opponent preview: Troy players to watch

For the second time this season, Drew Galloway of KSO takes a peek at a few players to watch on each side of the ball for the upcoming Kansas State opponent. Head coach Chris Klieman and the Wildcats host Troy this week.

RB Kimani Vidal

It would not be a Troy preview without the inclusion of Kimani Vidal. The running back was a second team All-Sun Belt selection last year and was on the preseason team this season. Vidal ran for 1,132 yards and 10 touchdowns last year and has over 2,500 yards on the ground in his career.

That is another backfield test for K-State, similar to the one they faced last week in Geno Hess.

In the season-opening win over Stephen F. Austin, Vidal ran for 248 yards on 25 carries. He was also their leader in receiving yards in the victory over the Lumberjacks with 54 yards on just two receptions. Kansas State linebacker Austin Moore may be busy.

QB Gunnar Watson

Gunnar Watson is a returner at quarterback for the Trojans. The senior comes with experience having started 31 career games. After an okay season last year, Watson played well against Stephen F. Austin last Saturday.

He was 14 of 22 for 198 yards and four scores. However, he did throw an interception and that can be an issue for him. Watson threw 12 interceptions last season and only had three games in which he did not toss one. Perhaps the K-State secondary can get their mitts on the first turnover of the season.

TE Ethan Conner

After losing their top receiving options last season, Troy is looking for answers in the passing game.

The Trojans found one in game one in tight end Ethan Conner. The junior tight end was the second leading receiver for Troy with four catches for 51 yards and scored two touchdowns. In a game where Troy only had 14 completions, four went to the tight end.

That could be something to monitor this week. Kansas State linebacker Desmond Purnell and safety Marques Sigle could be tasked with preventing him from making too much of a splash.

CB Reddy Steward

Reddy Steward was named to the preseason All-Sun Belt team this season after being a first team choice a year ago. He is probably the best cornerback in the league. He totaled 12 pass deflections and three interceptions last season.

Steward followed it up with a great first game as well. He tallied four tackles, including one for a loss and had an interception in the win. If Keagan Johnson is in uniform for K-State, that will likely be his responsibility.

CB O’Shai Fletcher

Another preseason All-Sun Belt pick for the Trojans is O’Shai Fletcher, who played well in the opener. He has appeared in 53 career games. Look out for him in the run game or on a corner blitz as well. Troy had just four tackles for a loss in the game against Stephen F. Austin, but Fletcher had two of them.

The Kansas State offensive tackles must be prepared.

DE Richard Jibunor

I fully anticipated TJ Jackson being the defensive end I talked about in regards to the Trojans. After all, he was a first team All-Sun Belt selection last year, made the preseason All-Sun Belt team and broke out with 14.5 tackles for loss last season.

However, Jackson is suspended indefinitely from all team activities and did not play in the first contest of the season. Thus, Richard Jibunor has been thrust into more of the spotlight. Jibunor was another preseason all-Sun Belt choice and had 11.5 tackles for loss last year and tied Jackson with eight sacks.

A transfer from Auburn, Jibunor had five tackles and a quarterback hit in the season opener.