SE: K-State Football Notebook – TCU Week
Oct 07, 2020 | Football, Sports Extra
By: Austin Siegel
After Briley Moore and Deuce Vaughn found themselves in the same workout group every Thursday during the 2020 season, they started keeping track of a streak.
"Me and Deuce have a thing going right now," Moore said. "We say that we have the good luck workout platform that produces at least one touchdown a game. I kind of let us down on that in the Oklahoma game, but Deuce said that play [called back due to a holding penalty] still counts. So, we're three games strong."
Against Texas Tech, both players found the end zone. In fact, the Wildcats managed a rushing touchdown, receiving touchdown and, thanks to Will Howard, a passing touchdown on Saturday from three different players who weren't at K-State in 2019.
Think about that. Chris Klieman has called this a "developmental program." And yet, after all of the challenges the Wildcats have had to navigate over the summer, the team is getting it done with newcomers this season.
Moore had a simple explanation.
"Point blank, Will is a baller. He showed us that in fall camp and in the reps he's gotten the last three weeks," Moore said. "For the second time, [Deuce] is a baller too."
Scouting the Horned Frogs
After passing the quarter pole of the 2020 season, K-State is entering uncharted territory.
TCU is a familiar opponent, but the Wildcats will put a perfect Big 12 record on the line in Fort Worth this weekend and go for their first 3-0 start to conference play since 2014.
Klieman laughed at the idea that the Wildcats are focused on the conference standings – seriously, this was a bigger smile than when he was asked about Monday's contract extension.
"We've played two games. I don't even know what the standings are. I know we've won both of them, so we can't be in last," he said. "We've played two games in this league and it's a great league. It's never been brought up, so I would appreciate if you didn't bring it up to the guys."
Every team remaining on K-State's schedule, with the exception of Kansas, is ranked or received votes in the latest AP or Coaches Poll.
Coming off a huge win over No. 8 Texas in Austin, the Horned Frogs are rolling as they return home on Saturday.
A lot of that has to do with Max Duggan, who was no sure thing to play this season, but was the guy scrambling 26 yards for the game-winning touchdown over the Longhorns last weekend.
"He had a breakout game against us last year. I think it was his first start, and I thought he played really well," Klieman said. "Just watching him operate against Texas, he's a really good football player with a good arm. He runs exceptionally well and he's a tough kid."
Another question mark for TCU coming into the season was who could step up at wide receiver to replace the production of first round NFL Draft pick Jalen Reagor.
Through two games, Taye Barber has done his best. The junior has 12 catches for 133 yards and a touchdown this season.
Questions at Quarterback
As K-State prepares for TCU, the Wildcats have a decision to make at quarterback.
Skylar Thompson's injury is trending towards a best-case scenario, as Klieman was hopeful the fifth-year senior would be able to get some reps in at practice this week.
Thinking even bigger than TCU, that's massive for the Wildcats the rest of the season.
"It sucks to see your teammate and your brother get a little banged up, but you've got to focus on the next guy who's in there and rallying around Will," Noah Johnson said. "That guy was poised, he was confident, he didn't seem phased by the moment at all."
Whether K-State rolls with Thompson or Howard against the Horned Frogs, the offense will need to take another step forward if the Wildcats are going to reach 3-0 in conference play.
Last season, the Horned Frogs limited James Gilbert to just 2.7 yards per carry as K-State struggled to move the ball on the ground in a 24-17 win over TCU.
Most of the team's 94 rushing yards came from Thompson on a 61-yard scamper. If the Wildcats want to establish the run on Saturday, winning the battle up front will be huge.
TCU's defensive line didn't record a sack against Texas and Saturday should be an opportunity for K-State to showcase the strides the O-line has made since the Arkansas State game.
"I think we're moving in the right direction," Johnson said. "Saturday was probably our best game so far, but there's still a lot of room for improvement."
After Briley Moore and Deuce Vaughn found themselves in the same workout group every Thursday during the 2020 season, they started keeping track of a streak.
"Me and Deuce have a thing going right now," Moore said. "We say that we have the good luck workout platform that produces at least one touchdown a game. I kind of let us down on that in the Oklahoma game, but Deuce said that play [called back due to a holding penalty] still counts. So, we're three games strong."
Against Texas Tech, both players found the end zone. In fact, the Wildcats managed a rushing touchdown, receiving touchdown and, thanks to Will Howard, a passing touchdown on Saturday from three different players who weren't at K-State in 2019.
Think about that. Chris Klieman has called this a "developmental program." And yet, after all of the challenges the Wildcats have had to navigate over the summer, the team is getting it done with newcomers this season.
Moore had a simple explanation.
"Point blank, Will is a baller. He showed us that in fall camp and in the reps he's gotten the last three weeks," Moore said. "For the second time, [Deuce] is a baller too."
Scouting the Horned Frogs
After passing the quarter pole of the 2020 season, K-State is entering uncharted territory.
TCU is a familiar opponent, but the Wildcats will put a perfect Big 12 record on the line in Fort Worth this weekend and go for their first 3-0 start to conference play since 2014.
Klieman laughed at the idea that the Wildcats are focused on the conference standings – seriously, this was a bigger smile than when he was asked about Monday's contract extension.
"We've played two games. I don't even know what the standings are. I know we've won both of them, so we can't be in last," he said. "We've played two games in this league and it's a great league. It's never been brought up, so I would appreciate if you didn't bring it up to the guys."
Every team remaining on K-State's schedule, with the exception of Kansas, is ranked or received votes in the latest AP or Coaches Poll.
Coming off a huge win over No. 8 Texas in Austin, the Horned Frogs are rolling as they return home on Saturday.
A lot of that has to do with Max Duggan, who was no sure thing to play this season, but was the guy scrambling 26 yards for the game-winning touchdown over the Longhorns last weekend.
"He had a breakout game against us last year. I think it was his first start, and I thought he played really well," Klieman said. "Just watching him operate against Texas, he's a really good football player with a good arm. He runs exceptionally well and he's a tough kid."
Another question mark for TCU coming into the season was who could step up at wide receiver to replace the production of first round NFL Draft pick Jalen Reagor.
Through two games, Taye Barber has done his best. The junior has 12 catches for 133 yards and a touchdown this season.
Questions at Quarterback
As K-State prepares for TCU, the Wildcats have a decision to make at quarterback.
Skylar Thompson's injury is trending towards a best-case scenario, as Klieman was hopeful the fifth-year senior would be able to get some reps in at practice this week.
Thinking even bigger than TCU, that's massive for the Wildcats the rest of the season.
"It sucks to see your teammate and your brother get a little banged up, but you've got to focus on the next guy who's in there and rallying around Will," Noah Johnson said. "That guy was poised, he was confident, he didn't seem phased by the moment at all."
Whether K-State rolls with Thompson or Howard against the Horned Frogs, the offense will need to take another step forward if the Wildcats are going to reach 3-0 in conference play.
Last season, the Horned Frogs limited James Gilbert to just 2.7 yards per carry as K-State struggled to move the ball on the ground in a 24-17 win over TCU.
Most of the team's 94 rushing yards came from Thompson on a 61-yard scamper. If the Wildcats want to establish the run on Saturday, winning the battle up front will be huge.
TCU's defensive line didn't record a sack against Texas and Saturday should be an opportunity for K-State to showcase the strides the O-line has made since the Arkansas State game.
"I think we're moving in the right direction," Johnson said. "Saturday was probably our best game so far, but there's still a lot of room for improvement."
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