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Rapid Recap: Young Kansas State players standing out

On3 imageby:Drew Galloway11/14/24

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Joe Jackson 2024
Joe Jackson/Kansas State Athletics

Kansas State response

After losing to Houston two weeks ago, Kansas State has responded. Especially the offensive line. K-State offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Conor Riley has been pleased with how his unit has went about their business since that disappointment.

The Wildcats fell short and were not physical enough in Houston even though the conditions required it. When that happens it is easy for the offensive line to take it personal. But we won’t know the full answer until they get on the field and back in the trenches versus Arizona State.

Young players standing out

Kansas State able to get more reps for young players during the bye week as usual. A few standing out to Riley after the bye week have been offensive linemen Gus Hawkins and Navarro Schunke, running back Joe Jackson and receiver Tre Spivey.

Hawkins and Schunke have been moved up to no longer practicing just with the scout team. Hawkins was the highest rated recruit in the 2024 recruiting class while Schunke was a preferred walk-on from South Dakota.

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Spivey has played sparingly this season for K-State. However, he could see more opportunities in the receiver rotation after the second bye week. More of a role could be on the table for Jackson in the backfield as well.

Run game

It is no secret the Kansas State run game has been sputtering a bit in the last few weeks. In the latter part of the Kansas game, the Jayhawks blitzed more and sent more pressure. Houston did more of the same and even loaded the box a bit.

In both cases, K-State needs to stay on blocks better. Riley also knows the Wildcats need to be more physical at the point of attack. Being physical is something Kansas State has emphasized after the Houston game.

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