Rapid Recap: The Kansas State quarterback plan

Kansas State quarterback plan

In the depth chart released by Kansas State this week, starting quarterback was listed as Will Howard or Avery Johnson. It is the first time there has been that designation between the senior quarterback and true freshman.

Naturally, the first question that was asked of head coach Chris Klieman on Tuesday was from Derek Young of KSO and if there was a known plan of who to begin the game with under center. There was no announcement or starter revealed.

It is similar to what we heard after the Texas Tech game on Saturday. The offensive plan is still being ironed out on Tuesday of game weeks and that means no determination of who will begin the game at quarterback.

Klieman did make sure to give adequate praise to both Howard and Johnson, stating that K-State has two quarterbacks that they can win with. They will prepare to use both against TCU, and Klieman even acknowledged that does make preparation a bit more difficult for the Horned Frogs.

Howard was a great teammate on Saturday night and was one of the first to congratulate Johnson after drives. The senior went through the same thing last season with Adrian Martinez where he was in Johnson’s shoes and wanted to return the favor to Johnson.

What impressed Klieman the most about Johnson was not his play on the field, but his calm demeanor. It was just the third game Johnson has played in at quarterback at this level and in a hostile environment and he maintained his composure.

Injury updates

Though it may not seem like it, the Wildcats are starting to get healthier. Keagan Johnson is closer and closer to 100 percent and has been for the last week or so. Cornerback Jacob Parrish missed the game at Oklahoma State but returned for Kansas State against Texas Tech.

Although he was not listed on the depth chart, Will Lee has a chance to play versus TCU after missing the contest against the Red Raiders due to an injury. The hope is that he can resume practicing on Wednesday. If so, that gives him a shot to be ready on Saturday evening.

It also slipped through the cracks a bit, but K-State true freshman Austin Romaine has been dinged up as well. Klieman is hopeful that he plays, but it isn’t a certainty. He also mentioned Beau Palmer, Terry Kirksey and Rex Van Wyhe as players who will need to step up if Romaine can’t go.

However, the Kansas State head coach also pointed out that they are handling it with care because the intention is for both Kirksey and Van Wyhe to redshirt.

Similarities with TCU

K-State and TCU have played a lot of close games under Klieman. In fact, three of the five meetings have been decided by one score and the average margin of victory has been just 9.2 points in the five contests.

One reason the games have been so close is that they know each other so well. The two sides have played often and both deploy the same defensive scheme. Both Kansas State and the Horned Frogs run the 3-3-5 defense, though each has their own flavor of it.

Because of that common thread, the scout team looks are more similar to what they see on game day and can result in tighter scores.

K-State special teams coming along

The Wildcats probably played their best special teams game of the season in Lubbock. Seth Porter was fantastic and secured multiple tackles and downed a punt at the one-yard line. Porter, along with Jack Blumer, Randen Plattner and Jace Friesen are the leaders of the K-State special teams units.

Those four are holding the other players in that phase accountable and want to continue the legacy and reputation in that area and pass it on to the younger classes. In fact, all four players have begun to quiz the other players on the units about film and looks to test their preparation level.