K-State Holds Weekly Football Press Conference Prior to Season Opener
Sep 08, 2020 | Football
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman and four players met with members of the media via Zoom on Tuesday as the Wildcats prepare for the 2020 season opener against Arkansas State. A complete transcript of Klieman's press conference – which was also streamed live on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ - and players are posted below.
The Wildcats and Red Wolves kick off at 2:30 p.m., on Saturday inside Bill Snyder Family Stadium in a game that will be televised by FS1.
CHRIS KLIEMAN, HEAD COACH
Opening Statement ...
"Well, good afternoon everybody. Welcome to gameweek. We're excited about the opportunity to play this Saturday. Obviously, we have to do some things right this week with COVID testing to make sure that we can still stay on course to play, but the guys are excited. We had a good workout yesterday. You can tell that they see light at the end of the tunnel with regards to playing. We're going to have a good workout today. I told the guys, 'Dress warm. It's a little chilly out there today, but we're going to get back outside for the next couple of practices and kind of hone in on our gameplan against a really good Arkansas State team that we, as a coaching staff, have a ton of respect for. They've had, I think, nine-straight winning seasons and nine-straight bowl games. I know Blake does a tremendous job with their program, and it will be a great opponent coming here to challenge us in game one."
On the message to Skylar Thompson before his senior season…
"My message to him is to enjoy the journey. Play within yourself. Follow the game plan. Follow your reads. He's playing with so much confidence and is very comfortable in our system. I'm excited about the growth that he's made, really, from last year at the end of the year to where we are now. We can add so many things to his plate, from making adjustments at the line of scrimmage, to change in protections, to change in routes and the run game, whatever it may be. He's in total control of the offense now. That excites me, but I also know that we're not a well-oiled machine yet on offense either, because of missed guys for whatever reason and missed practice time. I think it will continue to be a work in progress this year, but I'm excited about what he's capable of doing for his senior year."
On freshman running back Deuce Vaughn finding his way into the rotation…
"He's got a great skill set. He can catch the ball extremely well. He has great vision. He can run inside, he can run outside. We're excited about seeing what he can do, as well as a number of younger players. It will still be, for us, running back by committee. We still have Harry (Trotter) and Tyler (Burns) are going to take a lion's share of the reps. Deuce and Jacardia (Wright) will get their share, as well. We're going to play a lot of running backs on Saturday like we will throughout the year. I'm excited how mature Deuce has been throughout this process, and the game is not too big for him. He's excited about the challenge."
On his greatest achievement in his first year at K-State…
"I would say the relationships that we, as a staff, built with the players. It takes a while to earn trust. It takes a while to hold somebody accountable, as well as know that you still love them. That doesn't happen overnight. It's still happening and still is a work in progress because we missed so much time in the spring. That's something, as a staff, that we're most proud of is that fact that it feels like we've been around these guys for a number of years, not just a little over a year."
On the depth at defensive end…
"We're going to play an awful lot of guys, just like we've done last year here and have done in the past. You're going to see a minimum of four defensive ends, probably five. You're going to see a minimum of four defensive tackles, probably five. Boom (Bronson Massie) has done a really good job and has tremendous experience. Khalid is a young player that we think has a tremendous upside to him. You're going to see an awful lot of guys out there on Saturday."
On if there are nerves with certain games in the league being postponed…
"Absolutely. You have to be diligent. You have to stay on guard. You have to keep your bubble as small as you can each day, because you never know when a player, coach, a support staff, anybody could be infected. We know it's out there. Fortunately, the guys we have had obtain COVID, they haven't been sick. They've had mild symptoms, so that's a positive. The negative is that there are a number of people that are still out for us. Every day we talk about it. When you leave the facility, you know who you're around, you protect yourself and you protect the team. Keep your bubble small. If we continue to do those things on a daily basis and continue to stack those great days, we can get to Saturday, and how great it's going to be to play a game."
On his comfort with the offensive line heading into the season…
"I feel comfortable. Coach (Conor) Riley has done a tremendous job with those guys. We're going to play a number of guys up front. They need snaps. They need experience. It's going to be good for those guys. We're going to make some mistakes in the offensive line. I like our athleticism. I like our aggressiveness, but we're going to have some errors. That's just part of a young group playing together for the first time, as well as shuffling guys in and out because we're going to play more than five. It's going to be a work in progress like it's going to be throughout the early part of the season. I think that's a little bit of what college football is going to be like in the early part of the season. Everybody is going through some issues or growing pains at specific positions, and you're going to play more and more guys maybe because of lack of repetitions and you want to make sure that you keep guys healthy, as well as the fact that you're just down in certain numbers in different spots."
On COVID impacting his players leading up to game day…
"It affects them every day, no question. They're always being asked to protect themselves. They're helping each other protect themselves by reminding guys to social distance, wear masks and have great hygiene. It's something we talk about after practice every day. Making sure you keep your bubble small like we talked about before. It's a part of all of our daily lives now. It doesn't matter if you're a football player or out in the world in a normal work environment or schools. It's part of our world, and we have to continue to accept it. We have to continue to be diligent, and we have to continue to realize that the virus isn't going away. What can we do to mitigate that? What can we do to make sure we stay safe? That's something our trainers and docs have done a phenomenal job of laying out the protocols. Our guys are doing a nice job of following those. We need to continue to do that, not just this week, but need to continue to do that throughout the whole fall."
On what he expects from tight end Briley Moore on Saturday…
"I'm excited for Briley. He's a tremendous athlete. He can block at the point of attack. He can catch a ball out of the backfield. He can be flexed out. We're going to utilize him in an awful lot of positions, so I'm excited for him to have the opportunity, which he's earned. He's earned the respect of the players, I can promise you that. How he conducts himself on the field, in the weight room. What he does on a daily basis, he's earned the respect of the older guys, and I'm excited to see him perform."
On what it would look like if he had to miss a game…
"We have some contingency plans for every coach. Mess (Courtney Messingham) makes a great example - By the time we get to Thursday or Friday, everybody knows the game plan on offense, and we have it detailed out. 'Here's what we want to call on first down. Here's what we want to call on third and medium, third and short.' A variety of guys on offense could call it. We want Mess to do it, because that's an expertise that Courtney has. That's everything. That's offense, that's defense, that's special teams. That's the head coach, as well. Van (Malone) would step in for me and run the show, and we wouldn't miss a beat. That's the reality. It doesn't matter if it's a coach, if it's a player, if it's a graduate assistant. Everybody has great value on the sideline during gameday, so everybody will have to step up. Knock on wood that that doesn't happen to any of us, but we're fully aware that there's a good possibility it could happen throughout season."
On his input on the Big 12 roster size minimums…
"There was conversation back and forth. We had a preliminary conversation as head coaches at the end of July or first of August of what we felt we could play with as well as what we wanted to play with. There are two different situations there, and then I communicated with Gene Taylor, as Gene was on calls with Athletic Directors. The biggest thing that I want to make sure of is that the line of scrimmage is taken care of. You have the ability to have seven offensive linemen where you feel you can get through that ballgame and keep people safe and healthy. If you have five offensive linemen left and a couple of them are true freshmen, that's not a good situation for your quarterback, for your running backs or anything. For us to have seven offensive linemen healthy, I think you have and opportunity to be able to compete. If you're missing a bunch of wide receivers, if you're missing your quarterback, if you're missing a couple of running backs, if you have that corp offensive line, you still should be able to compete and play. On defense, I thought it was the interior defensive line. You have to have some interior guys and have a stable of those guys. If not, you have another issue with potential safety with linebackers and safeties because it's going to come at them so fast. From that respect, I think the line of scrimmage is the first thing that has to be solidified for us to be able to play. That's why every week all of us coaches are saying, 'We need to continue to get through this testing.' We need to continue to get through another round of testing. I saw, and have seen how fast you can get depleted at a specific position. It may be only one positive test, but you can have six or seven contact traces, and then all of a sudden you're done and not playing, and people maybe can't understand that. From a player safety standpoint, it has to be that way. So, the line of scrimmage is the key for everybody."
On if new things have been learned about dealing with the virus…
"When the students came back, we knew there would be an onslaught of potential problems, and I don't think that's just at Kansas State. I think that's everywhere in the country. I think that's proven to be true. I understand that 18-24 year olds are going to do some things and have some fun. Potentially a two-week illness for the general student, if they aren't sick, isn't something they aren't concerned about. Whereas a two- or four-week illness for a student-athlete, you're missing a lot of time. We've just continued to preach to our guys, 'Avoid large gatherings. Avoid the bar scene. Avoid house parties. Avoid anything where you're going to be indoors or outdoors with multiple people, 10 or more, and you're not sure if everyone is wearing a mask.' Let's be honest, it's tough for an 18-22 year old because I have that age group at home myself, that they always have a mask on. That's the thing that we just keep preaching to our guys, to try to keep themselves and to keep their teammates safe by having that small bubble of knowing who you're with."
On the timetable for when a player does test positive…
"I wish I could answer that. That's still to be determined. I know there is still an isolation period of 10-plus days, and then everybody is going to be different as far as how soon they come back because there are a lot of tests they have to complete. Obviously, everyone knows a number of those involve the heart with echos (echocardiogram) and EKGs. Nobody is going to be put back out there before the docs are 100% sure they are ready to go. Is that an extra week? Is that an extra four weeks? Every case has been different that I have seen so far."
On getting the wide receivers on the same page…
"It's a challenge. There's no question. It's a challenge, because we've had guys in and out of the lineup. Because our numbers were down for a period of time, we didn't practice three consecutive days very often. We'd be on for two and then off for one just because our numbers at certain spots were a little bit low. I don't think we had a chance to get a lot of cohesiveness going between the quarterbacks and receivers. It's getting better. I'd say the same thing about your secondary, or your offensive line or any position where there's a player down, whether because of illness or injury. You want to make sure the communications stays connected all the time with the same kind of voices. It hasn't been, but it's been that way for everyone across the country, not just us. Even our punt team, we're going to have a new punter back there, we're going to have a new guy calling the shield because we lost Blaise Gammon. That guy has changed a lot for us, the guy who's calling the shield. The punt group up front has changed because of some injuries and things. So everything is about continuity, and it's hard to have continuity right now in college football. Everybody is going through it. So, you do the best with what you have and continue to stay positive with the guys."
On Arkansas State's two quarterbacks…
"I do expect both guys to play on Saturday. I think they both, throughout their body of work, have earned the right to play. I think the thing that's hard for us to replicate, and everyone knows that runs this style of offense, is the speed. Can we get lined up? If we can get lined up, we have a chance. 'Come on, it's not that hard to get lined up.' That's the nature of their offense, to make sure that you cannot get lined up quickly."
On the matchup with Arkansas State's wide receivers…
"They're extremely talented at wide receiver. The good thing for us is that we're experienced in the secondary between Lance (Robinson), AJ (Parker), Kiondre (Thomas), they've played a lot of football - Kiondre, obviously, at Minnesota. Our safeties have played a lot of football. It will be a big challenge for our guys, without question. It will be a challenge because they have really good skill outside. We have to do a number of really good things of changing our coverage and rolling in different ways, showing them different pictures. They have experienced quarterbacks that have probably seen an awful lot, but we have to continue to be able to mix things up."
On other newcomers that have really improved since the start of camp…
"I'm excited about Cooper Beebe. Here's a young guy that is really a freshman that is going to play a lot for us on the offensive line. He's a good example of somebody that we were really high on last year, but we had five seniors and didn't have to play Cooper. I'm excited about Cooper Beebe. I think he's going to be a terrific football player for us on the offensive line. We're playing him at guard and at tackle on each side, so he's a very versatile guy. I think he is going to have a tremendous career here. He's off to a really good start. He'll play a ton for us on Saturday. On defense, I'd say Will Jones. You guys have heard us talk about Will Jones. He's going to play some nickelback for us. He's a really talented, fast and athletic guy that can play some slot receivers. He'll strike you. He's got good ball skills, so I'm excited about Will, as well."
On running back Jacardia Wright…
"He's definitely in the mix on the depth chart, always working with the first group, so to speak. We have a number of backs working with the first group. Jacardia missed a little bit of time in fall camp, but he's back and feeling good. He did some really good things early in the season last year, and then we lost him to an ankle injury for a good chunk of time. We were able to play him late in the season to retain that redshirt, because his fourth game was against Iowa State. He'll play. He'll have a role on Saturday. It's a fun thing for Coach Mess (Courtney Messingham). We have a number of backs. We have a number of receivers. We have a number of tight ends. I think it makes us more difficult to say, 'Boy, if you just double this guy or just key on this guy in the run game or throw game,' I think Skylar is excited because there are multiple guys who can get the football and do special things."
On Justin Hughes' progress since camp started…
"He's improved. I don't think he's where he wants to be, but he's getting better. He came off of a really serious knee injury. From understanding what we're doing and getting guys lined up and being a great voice and communicator out there, he's every bit of what I knew he was going to be. From a physical standpoint, I know he's going to continue to get stronger as the year goes on. I'm telling you guys, it was a horrific knee injury that he suffered. He has Eli (Elijah Sullivan), who suffered a horrific knee injury as well, so they have some things they can feed off of each other and utilize. He's going to play an awful lot for us. We're fortunate there because Daniel Green is going to play an awful lot for us at Mike backer. Justin Hughes is going to play a lot for us at Mike backer. Eli Sullivan is going to play a lot for us. Cody Fletcher is going to play a lot for us. We have four linebackers with really good experience that can feed off of each other. We're going to need all four of them, not only on Saturday but throughout the year."
SKYLAR THOMPSON, SENIOR QUARTERBACK
On the biggest challenge of not knowing which players will be available each week ...
"It's a challenge. It's a challenge not just for myself but for everyone, just how quick things can change and how fast this can spread. It is tough. From my point of view, and my approach is whoever we have out there, whoever is available to play we're going to be ready to go play, we're going to be ready to go and compete. I'm going to make sure whoever I have with me that they're going to be ready and they're going to be confident. A lot of that is our work throughout the week and leading up to the game, in practice and watching film together. All those types of things are going to be a big emphasis for me as far as building confidence and building trust and continuity as much as we can. It's a challenging time, it's a challenging time let alone injuries but with COVID, there's just so much that can take place as far as who's going to be available to play on Saturday. In saying that, that's out of my control as well. I can't worry about that, and I won't worry about that. I have a lot of confidence in myself and our coaching staff as far as our game plan and getting guys ready, putting guys in the right spot to make plays. Then just building confidence throughout the week whenever those opportunities present themselves so on Saturday we're ready to go and we make those plays."
On what Coach Klieman has proven to him as a coach …
"He has proven to me to be calm, cool and collected through everything. He does not waiver to anything. He never gets too high. He never gets too low. He just stays even keeled the entire time. You can never tell if he's mad, upset, happy. He just stays even keeled. I think as our head football coach and a guy I look up to a lot, in a football aspect and outside of football, I just think that's a huge, huge character trait that is so important in life and in the game of football, especially as a guy in my position and the position I play that's a big emphasis for me, being calm, cool, and collected through it all. To have a leader like that to look up to and see him do it first hand - it helps me and it helps our whole entire football team. The past five months have been a whirlwind. March 6th we got shut down and said not to come back to campus, and we didn't know what was going to happen. We get back here in June then we get shut down for another two weeks. Then we get back here again and kind of get in a routine, and then the Big Ten and Pac-12 is cancelling their seasons, and we're thinking we're not going to have a season. It's been a rollercoaster of emotions, but through it all, Coach Klieman has been right here the whole time. I think that has helped me a lot in the process as far as reflecting the same character and controlling what I can control. He's been preaching that to me over and over again and just instilling in me just being confident. I think that's one thing I'm super, super thankful and just blessed to be in a situation with him as my football coach. He is an open-line of communication, and he has on a consistent basis instilled his confidence in me and his belief in me to lead this football team. I think for me as a player hearing my head football coach tell me that to my face and show me that with his actions on a consistent basis just gives me a lot of confidence, and it helps our entire football team. It builds confidence with us all."
On his thoughts going into his senior year…
"It's crazy, it's crazy. I've had a lot of family reach out to me this week just talking about how this is the last one. Especially my Dad, he called me over the weekend, and I talked to him and shot texts back and forth. It's just like I've been playing this game since I was in third grade. It's been a long journey, lots of fun, lots of memories. This game has taught me a ton, taught me a ton, and the game means a ton to me. I've always had a lot of value in football just from what I've been through in my life. It's always been my rock and it's always just been there for me. This is my last run at it. My family really just tried to drill into my head to try and cherish every moment, especially in the situation we have now. It could be over at any given point in time. You never know when that last game could be with COVID or just having an injury. You never know. As much as this game means a ton to me, it's truly a gift that I've been fortunate to be blessed with. I think that's my perspective and my approach toward this last year is how much of a gift this game is for me to use my platform as a person as a player to just go have fun and impact others, to serve others and to play the game the right way. That's the biggest thing for me. As much as this game means a lot to me, it's not my identity. It's not who I am truly. What happens out on the field doesn't define who I am off the field, and in that general census, it's a game meant to have fun. I think that's what Coach Klein has really been drilling that into my head too. From his experience too as, obviously, going through the same situation and being a senior, there's a lot of lasts. He's just been telling me, 'Go have fun and enjoy this game because that's how it meant to be.' Through the past couple weeks, and three weeks it's really, we finally get to go play Saturday. It's like, man I didn't think this day would come, honestly, at one point in time. It's a blessing to be here and to be preparing for a game this week. I'm so excited. I just can't wait, can't wait, to go out there and compete. That's the biggest thing is I'm ready to go and compete. I'm ready to get hit a little bit. I'm ready to make some plays. I'm ready to have fun with my teammates and make some memories I'll remember for the rest of my life. That's the biggest thing for me, I'm just so, so excited. I know K-State fans, our fanbase, our families, our friends, everybody's just so excited to go see us out there and go play. Ultimately, that's what it's all about. I'm so excited to go play and compete for our fanbase, and my family, and my friends, and just go cut it loose and have fun."
On playing the first game together with tight Briley Moore…
"I'll tell you what, we've been talking about it a lot, obviously. Even this weekend, we were texting back and forth during the Memphis game when they (Arkansas State) were playing Memphis. Man, it's really here. We're about to go strap it up and have the same uniform on and go compete and play together. For me and Briley, I feel like him and I are personally very similar as far as our approach on life and our values. He means a lot to me. He means a lot to me, and I'm just so excited for him to have this opportunity to play on this stage and play in our offense. He's going to help us out so much in the run game, pass game, but above all, that he's just a great person, he's a great leader. He's been here for three months and has already earned the respect of his teammates. Guys respect him and look up to him. With his position group at tight end, we have some younger guys in that room who are very talented. Having a guy like Briley in that room, who's had experience, who understands the game really well, being able to look up to him and learn from him, ask questions, all that stuff has been super helpful for our football team. Now for him and I, it's about going out there and having fun together. This is what we've talked about for our entire life - getting the opportunity to go and play and be on the same team together. Now it's here, I'm just super excited to go out there and make memories with him and make plays, just make plays. I have a lot of confidence in him. I know he's excited. I know he's going to be ready to play. He's going to really help this football team with just the way he brings an edge. I know Briley, and I've seen a little bit of it at practice, but when the real bullets get flying, he's a competitive dude and he brings a lot of confidence and has that edge to him that's going to rub off on people around him. I just can't wait to have that on offense."
On how many running backs they've utilized in the passing game…
"In our system in general we're going to use four to five running backs. It is important to have a solid group of four to five guys who understand what's going on, understand our gameplan, understand their role, understand our schemes. We have a solid group - Tyler Burns, Harry Trotter, Jacardia Wright, Deuce Vaughn, and Keyon Mozee. All of those guys are going to make plays and be part of our gameplan. I think each one of them understand their role and understand what they have to bring to the team. It doesn't matter if you're a true freshman or a fifth year senior. You're going to be a guy that we're going to count on. Every single one of them are very capable of making a lot of plays, and they each have their own skill set. I think that's what's super unique is each of them are really good at certain things and understand their strengths and weaknesses, our coaches do as well, and they're going to put them in spots to make plays. For me with the younger guys, with Deuce and Mozee, and even Jacardia, is just for me instilling confidence in them. I've been in their position before as a young player playing, and there can be a lot of pressure. There can be a lot of anxiety a little bit going into games, not wanting to mess up or not wanting to let your team down. Just letting them know that you're going to make mistakes, you're going to mess up, and I'm going to mess up and make mistakes, that's just part of the game. But when you're on the field, you've got to take your opportunity and make the most of it. I know those guys will, and I'm super excited to get on the field and make plays with them."
On the most difficult part of dealing with COVID...
"It's been difficult in a lot of different ways. The uncertainty aspect is super hard through this process of how things can change in a blink of an eye. Nothing's guaranteed. I think that is hard to wrap my mind around and understand. But at the same time, I also know and understand it's out of my control, that aspect of it is. What is under my control and is hard, and is going to be very hard during the season, I haven't really had to deal with it yet, but seeing my family after games. I've already talked to my family, my dad's a principal, my mom's a teacher, my little brother is in school - they're going to be around a ton of people all the time. We've had to have some tough conversations as far as after games. I don't know what it's going to look like as far as being able to see them. If I do, it's probably going to be from a socially-distant aspect, and I'm going to have a mask on. Not probably, that's how it will be. For me, that's a big part of who I am is my family and getting to spend time with them. Especially weekends of games is a big routine thing I have is the night before games at our hotel, my dad always came and visited me. It was just him and I. That was really the time of the week I really look forward to every week because it was a moment where it was just my dad and I. I didn't have a bunch of other people trying to talk to me or trying to visit with me. I could just sit there and talk to my dad and have some really quality father-son time. Talk about the game plan, talk about how I'm feeling. My dad would just tell me how proud he was of me or just talk about memories of me being a little kid. Just having conversations with my dad in those types of moments I always cherished and really take a lot of pride in and value. That not being realistic this year is going to be tough, but at the same time, what we're doing right now having technology, there's ways we can still get that done, just maybe through a phone. But like I said, we all understand, my parents understand, my family understands, everybody who's going to come out here and come watch me play and support me from my family and friend aspect understand the sacrifice that it's going to take for me. They understand that they're a part of the sacrifice too. They can't go out and be around tons of people and put themselves in situations to get this virus either. At the same time, we're always going to take the right precautions of the situation. In my living situation, I only live with one other person and it happens to be Coach Klieman's son, Devin. Him and I both are very understanding of the situation, and we're all about the team. Devin is a very special, special human being. He's a student coach here, and he's really bought in and he cares about our football team as well. He's not going to put himself in a position to get sick either. We both understand we're going to have to do a lot and sacrifice a lot, but at the end of the day, we want to play football. Ultimately, that's what's most important right, and everybody in my life and his life and everybody understands that. It's going to be a process we're going to have to work through and understand and make the most of having a six-feet conversation with my family. It will be good, and we'll make the most of it."
HARRY TROTTER, SENIOR RUNNING BACK
On how much Arkansas State film has been able to watch...
"As soon as we knew they were our opponent, they immediately loaded up the clips of games from last year. I'd say I've been through 70-80% of last year's games Then I dove into the Memphis game on Monday, but I also watched some of it live. Our film staff does a great job with all that stuff. I've been able to get through a lot of their stuff."
On being utilized more in the passing game...
"It's been a little different but not much. As I've had another offseason to look over the playbook, I've learned more about what the receivers do on certain routes and schemes. I don't think it will just be me, it will be a lot of us running backs being able to come out of the backfield, whatever it may be - sweep motions, pass routes, whatever Coach Mess (Courtney Messingham) needs us to do, we can step up and do it."
On if there are any differences in game planning because of circumstances...
"I think the coaching staff has done a great job of making it feel as normal as possible. We had a normal Monday yesterday, a solid practice. Now we will have a normal Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and we have had a pretty normal preparation schedule. I think the team feels good where we are at. It's been pretty normal up to this point, and we feel good about it. "
On the progression of Skylar Thompson through the last couple of weeks…
"The thing about Skylar is just that he's an amazing leader. It seems like every year he's stepped up more and more in a leadership role, even more so this offseason with not a typical offseason and a couple months of quarantine. He's done a great job of leading the pack, keeping everybody positive and keeping everybody upbeat when things were unsure. He's done a great job of leading the way and keeping everybody positive. I think now that we're in practice mode and game mode, he's just ready to go. He's a lot better this season than he was last year. He's so much more prepared. I think he's going to do a great job this season. I can't wait to see what he does."
On what he's seen from fellow running back Deuce Vaughn …
"I think his preparation has set him apart a lot. I know back in the summer he was diving into the playbook. In all of our Zoom meetings, he seemed pretty knowledgeable about the offense. He had a great camp - he just executed well when we needed him to. He's a great dude out in space, so we can put him in different positions. He can do different things out of the backfield as well. I think he's just done a great job of learning the playbook. He's a confident dude, so I'm excited to see what he'll do this season."
On what the reaction from the team is when they find out someone has to quarantine…
"It's random, but it's a step-up thing for whatever position group it is. It's kind of a shock, but you only have a couple minutes to get over it because then you have to practice, you have to lift. We've talked a lot about it. It' just opportunities for other guys. When somebody does go down with a positive test or a close contact, whatever it may be, it's just a chance for somebody else to step up and make plays, especially our young guys. I think a lot of guys will have opportunities this year just because of the COVID stuff going on. People just have to be prepared, and when the time comes, make the best of it."
On Arkansas State's defense…
"They graduated a lot of guys from last year, but they filled some spots with some good guys, some transfers, but also some younger guys. Mainly, an Okie-front team, but they're aggressive and can make plays. They have some good players, good linebackers. I like their nose guard. I think he's a well-techniqued guy. I'm excited to play against them. I think they're a good defense. They're aggressive and they can make plays. We have to be able to execute against them."
WYATT HUBERT, JUNIOR DEFENSIVE END
On Arkansas State's offense...
"It's definitely always tough facing a veteran offensive line that has many years under their belt. Having not only one, but two, weapons at quarterback is a challenge as well. I think our d-line is going to be super solid. Even though we lost three starters from last year, that was kind of a question that ran through my mind - who is going to step up? I think all three guys have definitely stepped up and we'll be just as solid as last year. Quarterback-wise, like I said, they're definitely very experienced, but it's not different than what we face in the Big 12."
On the progression of linebacker Justin Hughes...
"Prayers for him. It's crazy how much he's been through, how much adversity he's fought with his injuries and all that kind of stuff. Definitely excited and glad to have him back at mike-backer. Missed that vocalization that he has. How well he communicates, how loud he gets that through. It's nice to have him as the quarterback of the defense calling out the calls and all that kind of stuff. Talking about getting the dust off his game, obviously he missed out on a lot of football but just like any other player you've got to get out there and get the reps in and get that experience back and get those reps back and things will start to fall back into place."
On his excitement level of playing a game this weekend...
"Yeah, I'm super excited. Just a few weeks ago, we thought the season was going to get canceled. So, how the tables have turned so much. I just feel super blessed and fortunate that the Big 12 allowed us to play football this year - how the commissioner, the presidents and athletic directors gave us the chance to allow us to play. So, I feel super blessed and fortunate. Not just for me, but for the rest of my teammates. We're super excited. We can't wait. We're just ready to roll."
On fellow defensive end Bronson Massie...
"Last year, Bronson fought through injury, so he was definitely going through that adversity. He got that all squared away. He's definitely come back ready. It's his last year, and he knows that for sure. So, he's trying to go out with a bang and try to impress the team. He's played in a lot of games, so he has a lot of experience under his belt. With this being his last year, he's just ready to go out there and do his thing."
On his weekly schedule...
"My classes are limited - I'm not in very many classes right now. With all that free time that I've had, I sat down before the season started, went through my schedule and realized how much extra free time I have. I asked myself, 'What can I do with all that extra free time that excels me past guys, not only on my team, but on other teams as well. What can I do, rather than just show up and go to practice, to make myself better.' Obviously, I've dedicated and turned that time into being productive time - extra weight-lifting sessions, extra film sessions, extra treatment sessions, more time so I can take care of my body better. Just having all the free time to do whatever I wanted with it, I just decided to take that time because it is so valuable, and do something football-related with that time just so I can excel myself, not just past my teammates, but other people as well."
On the difference between Scottie Hazelton and Joe Klanderman...
"It's kind of tough to answer that question because we haven't even played our first game yet. I really don't know how Coach Klanderman is going to operate in a gametime situation, whether we we're up a lot or down a lot, whether the offense is driving down the field on a quick two-minute series. I think I can say they're going to handle it pretty much the same way. I say that because they are two of the smartest coaches I've ever had in football. It's crazy that I've had two coaches like that on the same staff, on the same exact team. Once Coach Hazelton left, we all knew Coach Klanderman was going to step up and be the d-coordinator. That's something he's always been prepared for. That's something he's always been ready for. When bullets are flying and crazy times are happening on the field - even just at practice with Coach Klanderman - he makes quick adjustments in the secondary and in the box with the front seven. He makes quick adjustments like that with our gameplan."
On what he appreciates most about Coach Klieman after one year as the head coach...
"The thing I appreciate the most about Coach Klieman is that every decision he makes, he does it for us players. You can't name a better coach than him. Just having a head coach that makes all his decisions based off his players' interest is something that gets us so fired up and just makes us realize that, 'Coach Klieman gives it all for us, so we have to give it all for him.' That's pretty much the sum of that answer because it's so true and it happens on a daily basis for us."
JUSTIN HUGHES, SENIOR LINEBACKER
On the biggest challenges coming back from injury...
"I feel like I have done a great job since the beginning of camp to this point on knocking off the rust like Coach (Steve) Stanard said. Just getting back out there, I feel like my knee is getting better day by day. A couple practices ago, Coach Klieman came up to me and said, 'J-Ball, you are starting to look like an athlete again.' Small stuff like that just helps my confidence going out there each and every day, and I tell them that it's a day-by-day process. I'm happy with my process back out there. I think the most challenging part is mental. I feel like my knee is fine, the trainers tell me all the time that it's just up to me mentally to go out there and be who I was before the injury and just before contact thinking about contact and thinking about the whole process through with my knee is the biggest challenge. I just have to get over that. Once I get over that mental hump, I feel like it's full force ahead. I feel like I have been doing a pretty good job so far that once I get back there on that field versus somebody else's team, it's going to be on and poppin'."
On the challenge of going against running back Deuce Vaughn in practice…
"His speed, he's a matchup nightmare in the passing game. If you get him in the open field, he's probably going to make you miss every time. So to see him in the backfield, I know me and Elijah say, 'Deuce, Deuce, Deuce.' We point him out every time he's on the field because we know either he's getting the ball, or they are setting him up to get the ball. So, we just try to contain him and let the defensive ends know he's in so they can contain him in the box as far as our defense. But Deuce is a hell of a player. He's one of the most mature guys I've ever been around as far as a true freshman goes, and that's a great thing. I tell him all the time that he's more mature than he needs to be right now, and that's great. He's doing a great job, and I'm glad he is doing a good job. He's a great element for our offense. I hope he bursts out onto the scene this season and becomes one of the best running backs in the Big 12."
On reflecting about being a starter for a college football team…
"Every time I go home after practice and a long day of watching film and just practicing, going through rehab and just doing things to get my knee better every day, I go home and watch film on my iPad, and I just sit there and talk to myself and thank God that I am able to get this opportunity and keep doing things to get myself better. I just keep thanking God and believing in my faith, I talk my parents, my family members all the time and just thanking God that I had this opportunity. I'm just so grateful to be able to be out there again. Like I said, I'm just excited and eager to get out there on that field and play somebody else's team and let it all go."
On the comparison of Arkansas State's offense to other Big 12 offenses...
"For sure, the up-tempo is comparable to almost like Texas Tech, which is like a full force ahead speed and getting lined up. It's not as fast as Texas Tech, but they will get lined up and you just have to get set before you know what you're doing. You have to get everybody aligned as far as calling out the defense and letting people know what they got and letting them know what I got. It's great seeing that the first week and getting prepared for our league and just being able to have that type a team to prepare for the Big 12 challenges, like Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, all those guys, the Baylors, just being able to have a team to prepare for that like that is truly a great opportunity for us as a team to come out for the first week of the season."
On Justin's thoughts about his injury then vs. now…
"My first thought process was, I told my team in Memphis right before the game last year, looking at Reggie (Walker), Trey Dishon, and Jordan Mittie, Joe Davies, all those guys. The first thought process was, 'Dang, I'm not going to be able to play behind my brothers.' That d-line was amazing, but now that I see that we have guys to replace those guys that we have a great d-line this year. That was the first thought that ran through my mind, just not being able to play behind those dogs. I'm glad we have a new element as far as the defensive line and the new speed element, as far as pass rush getting behind the ball, getting behind the line of scrimmage. That was one of my initial thoughts, but going through this process of rehab and getting better has shown me that I can do anything as long as I put my mind to it. I've been through so much adversity in my life, even with going through college. Being the young guy having some hiccups and doing some things that I shouldn't be doing and just going through adversity man. I, just again, want to thank God to have an opportunity, and I'm blessed that I've had the strength to keep going, and the faith to keep going and fight through everything I've been through. I just can't wait to get back on that field Saturday."
On worrying about two different quarterbacks…
"Me specifically, I don't worry about it too much. I just line up against whoever's out there. Of course, I look at personnel as far as who's out there, but the quarterback position, as far as the run game, it's a little element. As far as the run game, I'm thinking about fitting schemes, and then I'm worried about the pass as far as the defense goes. If the team can run on you, they can do anything. So, first it's stop the run and then worry about the pass. I think that's what our whole defensive mindset. So we're not worried about who's out there, we're more worried about who's on our defense and what we're going to do schematically to stop anyone who comes out on that field."
On the difference of starting with a non-conference opponent…
"Like I said earlier, this is a great team. It will help us prepare the league. They are schematically similar to the Baylors, the TCUs, Oklahoma States. They run similar offenses. It's a great team to prepare for. It's a great opportunity for our defense to get this type of scheme, as far as tempo, getting conditioned to the Big 12. As far as schematically, getting prepared for the schemes that we are going to see as far as a defense versus the offenses in our league, it's a great opportunity for each and every one of us. D-line to the cornerbacks, we need to see it as a defense, and we are blessed that we have the opportunity to see that."
On linebackers coach Steven Stanard...
"It's great to play for coach because he's going to make you accountable for everything you do. He's going to hold you to a standard, and he's going to hold you to nothing less than that standard. He talks about all the players he's had in the past of who thanks him for being hard on them because it's gotten them to where they are now. I can't wait to get out there to play for a guy who's going to hold me accountable because it's just going to make me better as a player. I just can't wait to see what the hard-nosed accountability is going to do for me as a player as far as me being prepared for the next level."
On former defensive coordinator Scottie Hazelton leaving for Michigan State...
"It was tough at first, but you have to realize that all of this is a business, and you have to do what's best for us individually. That's what he felt like was best for him and his family. Our hats go off for him doing a great job and putting his family in a better position. Of course I love Coach Haze, and I'm sad I didn't get the opportunity to get out there and play for him, but I support him and everything he's done. We actually talked during the draft this spring because one of his linebackers from Wyoming got drafted. We watched film on him all the time. We chopped it up a little bit. We haven't talked since the quarantine and everything that's happened. I guess I've been so busy that I haven't had the opportunity because I'm coming back off my injury. I'm glad you mentioned it because I'm going to hit him up right after this and see how he's doing."
The Wildcats and Red Wolves kick off at 2:30 p.m., on Saturday inside Bill Snyder Family Stadium in a game that will be televised by FS1.
CHRIS KLIEMAN, HEAD COACH
Opening Statement ...
"Well, good afternoon everybody. Welcome to gameweek. We're excited about the opportunity to play this Saturday. Obviously, we have to do some things right this week with COVID testing to make sure that we can still stay on course to play, but the guys are excited. We had a good workout yesterday. You can tell that they see light at the end of the tunnel with regards to playing. We're going to have a good workout today. I told the guys, 'Dress warm. It's a little chilly out there today, but we're going to get back outside for the next couple of practices and kind of hone in on our gameplan against a really good Arkansas State team that we, as a coaching staff, have a ton of respect for. They've had, I think, nine-straight winning seasons and nine-straight bowl games. I know Blake does a tremendous job with their program, and it will be a great opponent coming here to challenge us in game one."
On the message to Skylar Thompson before his senior season…
"My message to him is to enjoy the journey. Play within yourself. Follow the game plan. Follow your reads. He's playing with so much confidence and is very comfortable in our system. I'm excited about the growth that he's made, really, from last year at the end of the year to where we are now. We can add so many things to his plate, from making adjustments at the line of scrimmage, to change in protections, to change in routes and the run game, whatever it may be. He's in total control of the offense now. That excites me, but I also know that we're not a well-oiled machine yet on offense either, because of missed guys for whatever reason and missed practice time. I think it will continue to be a work in progress this year, but I'm excited about what he's capable of doing for his senior year."
On freshman running back Deuce Vaughn finding his way into the rotation…
"He's got a great skill set. He can catch the ball extremely well. He has great vision. He can run inside, he can run outside. We're excited about seeing what he can do, as well as a number of younger players. It will still be, for us, running back by committee. We still have Harry (Trotter) and Tyler (Burns) are going to take a lion's share of the reps. Deuce and Jacardia (Wright) will get their share, as well. We're going to play a lot of running backs on Saturday like we will throughout the year. I'm excited how mature Deuce has been throughout this process, and the game is not too big for him. He's excited about the challenge."
On his greatest achievement in his first year at K-State…
"I would say the relationships that we, as a staff, built with the players. It takes a while to earn trust. It takes a while to hold somebody accountable, as well as know that you still love them. That doesn't happen overnight. It's still happening and still is a work in progress because we missed so much time in the spring. That's something, as a staff, that we're most proud of is that fact that it feels like we've been around these guys for a number of years, not just a little over a year."
On the depth at defensive end…
"We're going to play an awful lot of guys, just like we've done last year here and have done in the past. You're going to see a minimum of four defensive ends, probably five. You're going to see a minimum of four defensive tackles, probably five. Boom (Bronson Massie) has done a really good job and has tremendous experience. Khalid is a young player that we think has a tremendous upside to him. You're going to see an awful lot of guys out there on Saturday."
On if there are nerves with certain games in the league being postponed…
"Absolutely. You have to be diligent. You have to stay on guard. You have to keep your bubble as small as you can each day, because you never know when a player, coach, a support staff, anybody could be infected. We know it's out there. Fortunately, the guys we have had obtain COVID, they haven't been sick. They've had mild symptoms, so that's a positive. The negative is that there are a number of people that are still out for us. Every day we talk about it. When you leave the facility, you know who you're around, you protect yourself and you protect the team. Keep your bubble small. If we continue to do those things on a daily basis and continue to stack those great days, we can get to Saturday, and how great it's going to be to play a game."
On his comfort with the offensive line heading into the season…
"I feel comfortable. Coach (Conor) Riley has done a tremendous job with those guys. We're going to play a number of guys up front. They need snaps. They need experience. It's going to be good for those guys. We're going to make some mistakes in the offensive line. I like our athleticism. I like our aggressiveness, but we're going to have some errors. That's just part of a young group playing together for the first time, as well as shuffling guys in and out because we're going to play more than five. It's going to be a work in progress like it's going to be throughout the early part of the season. I think that's a little bit of what college football is going to be like in the early part of the season. Everybody is going through some issues or growing pains at specific positions, and you're going to play more and more guys maybe because of lack of repetitions and you want to make sure that you keep guys healthy, as well as the fact that you're just down in certain numbers in different spots."
On COVID impacting his players leading up to game day…
"It affects them every day, no question. They're always being asked to protect themselves. They're helping each other protect themselves by reminding guys to social distance, wear masks and have great hygiene. It's something we talk about after practice every day. Making sure you keep your bubble small like we talked about before. It's a part of all of our daily lives now. It doesn't matter if you're a football player or out in the world in a normal work environment or schools. It's part of our world, and we have to continue to accept it. We have to continue to be diligent, and we have to continue to realize that the virus isn't going away. What can we do to mitigate that? What can we do to make sure we stay safe? That's something our trainers and docs have done a phenomenal job of laying out the protocols. Our guys are doing a nice job of following those. We need to continue to do that, not just this week, but need to continue to do that throughout the whole fall."
On what he expects from tight end Briley Moore on Saturday…
"I'm excited for Briley. He's a tremendous athlete. He can block at the point of attack. He can catch a ball out of the backfield. He can be flexed out. We're going to utilize him in an awful lot of positions, so I'm excited for him to have the opportunity, which he's earned. He's earned the respect of the players, I can promise you that. How he conducts himself on the field, in the weight room. What he does on a daily basis, he's earned the respect of the older guys, and I'm excited to see him perform."
On what it would look like if he had to miss a game…
"We have some contingency plans for every coach. Mess (Courtney Messingham) makes a great example - By the time we get to Thursday or Friday, everybody knows the game plan on offense, and we have it detailed out. 'Here's what we want to call on first down. Here's what we want to call on third and medium, third and short.' A variety of guys on offense could call it. We want Mess to do it, because that's an expertise that Courtney has. That's everything. That's offense, that's defense, that's special teams. That's the head coach, as well. Van (Malone) would step in for me and run the show, and we wouldn't miss a beat. That's the reality. It doesn't matter if it's a coach, if it's a player, if it's a graduate assistant. Everybody has great value on the sideline during gameday, so everybody will have to step up. Knock on wood that that doesn't happen to any of us, but we're fully aware that there's a good possibility it could happen throughout season."
On his input on the Big 12 roster size minimums…
"There was conversation back and forth. We had a preliminary conversation as head coaches at the end of July or first of August of what we felt we could play with as well as what we wanted to play with. There are two different situations there, and then I communicated with Gene Taylor, as Gene was on calls with Athletic Directors. The biggest thing that I want to make sure of is that the line of scrimmage is taken care of. You have the ability to have seven offensive linemen where you feel you can get through that ballgame and keep people safe and healthy. If you have five offensive linemen left and a couple of them are true freshmen, that's not a good situation for your quarterback, for your running backs or anything. For us to have seven offensive linemen healthy, I think you have and opportunity to be able to compete. If you're missing a bunch of wide receivers, if you're missing your quarterback, if you're missing a couple of running backs, if you have that corp offensive line, you still should be able to compete and play. On defense, I thought it was the interior defensive line. You have to have some interior guys and have a stable of those guys. If not, you have another issue with potential safety with linebackers and safeties because it's going to come at them so fast. From that respect, I think the line of scrimmage is the first thing that has to be solidified for us to be able to play. That's why every week all of us coaches are saying, 'We need to continue to get through this testing.' We need to continue to get through another round of testing. I saw, and have seen how fast you can get depleted at a specific position. It may be only one positive test, but you can have six or seven contact traces, and then all of a sudden you're done and not playing, and people maybe can't understand that. From a player safety standpoint, it has to be that way. So, the line of scrimmage is the key for everybody."
On if new things have been learned about dealing with the virus…
"When the students came back, we knew there would be an onslaught of potential problems, and I don't think that's just at Kansas State. I think that's everywhere in the country. I think that's proven to be true. I understand that 18-24 year olds are going to do some things and have some fun. Potentially a two-week illness for the general student, if they aren't sick, isn't something they aren't concerned about. Whereas a two- or four-week illness for a student-athlete, you're missing a lot of time. We've just continued to preach to our guys, 'Avoid large gatherings. Avoid the bar scene. Avoid house parties. Avoid anything where you're going to be indoors or outdoors with multiple people, 10 or more, and you're not sure if everyone is wearing a mask.' Let's be honest, it's tough for an 18-22 year old because I have that age group at home myself, that they always have a mask on. That's the thing that we just keep preaching to our guys, to try to keep themselves and to keep their teammates safe by having that small bubble of knowing who you're with."
On the timetable for when a player does test positive…
"I wish I could answer that. That's still to be determined. I know there is still an isolation period of 10-plus days, and then everybody is going to be different as far as how soon they come back because there are a lot of tests they have to complete. Obviously, everyone knows a number of those involve the heart with echos (echocardiogram) and EKGs. Nobody is going to be put back out there before the docs are 100% sure they are ready to go. Is that an extra week? Is that an extra four weeks? Every case has been different that I have seen so far."
On getting the wide receivers on the same page…
"It's a challenge. There's no question. It's a challenge, because we've had guys in and out of the lineup. Because our numbers were down for a period of time, we didn't practice three consecutive days very often. We'd be on for two and then off for one just because our numbers at certain spots were a little bit low. I don't think we had a chance to get a lot of cohesiveness going between the quarterbacks and receivers. It's getting better. I'd say the same thing about your secondary, or your offensive line or any position where there's a player down, whether because of illness or injury. You want to make sure the communications stays connected all the time with the same kind of voices. It hasn't been, but it's been that way for everyone across the country, not just us. Even our punt team, we're going to have a new punter back there, we're going to have a new guy calling the shield because we lost Blaise Gammon. That guy has changed a lot for us, the guy who's calling the shield. The punt group up front has changed because of some injuries and things. So everything is about continuity, and it's hard to have continuity right now in college football. Everybody is going through it. So, you do the best with what you have and continue to stay positive with the guys."
On Arkansas State's two quarterbacks…
"I do expect both guys to play on Saturday. I think they both, throughout their body of work, have earned the right to play. I think the thing that's hard for us to replicate, and everyone knows that runs this style of offense, is the speed. Can we get lined up? If we can get lined up, we have a chance. 'Come on, it's not that hard to get lined up.' That's the nature of their offense, to make sure that you cannot get lined up quickly."
On the matchup with Arkansas State's wide receivers…
"They're extremely talented at wide receiver. The good thing for us is that we're experienced in the secondary between Lance (Robinson), AJ (Parker), Kiondre (Thomas), they've played a lot of football - Kiondre, obviously, at Minnesota. Our safeties have played a lot of football. It will be a big challenge for our guys, without question. It will be a challenge because they have really good skill outside. We have to do a number of really good things of changing our coverage and rolling in different ways, showing them different pictures. They have experienced quarterbacks that have probably seen an awful lot, but we have to continue to be able to mix things up."
On other newcomers that have really improved since the start of camp…
"I'm excited about Cooper Beebe. Here's a young guy that is really a freshman that is going to play a lot for us on the offensive line. He's a good example of somebody that we were really high on last year, but we had five seniors and didn't have to play Cooper. I'm excited about Cooper Beebe. I think he's going to be a terrific football player for us on the offensive line. We're playing him at guard and at tackle on each side, so he's a very versatile guy. I think he is going to have a tremendous career here. He's off to a really good start. He'll play a ton for us on Saturday. On defense, I'd say Will Jones. You guys have heard us talk about Will Jones. He's going to play some nickelback for us. He's a really talented, fast and athletic guy that can play some slot receivers. He'll strike you. He's got good ball skills, so I'm excited about Will, as well."
On running back Jacardia Wright…
"He's definitely in the mix on the depth chart, always working with the first group, so to speak. We have a number of backs working with the first group. Jacardia missed a little bit of time in fall camp, but he's back and feeling good. He did some really good things early in the season last year, and then we lost him to an ankle injury for a good chunk of time. We were able to play him late in the season to retain that redshirt, because his fourth game was against Iowa State. He'll play. He'll have a role on Saturday. It's a fun thing for Coach Mess (Courtney Messingham). We have a number of backs. We have a number of receivers. We have a number of tight ends. I think it makes us more difficult to say, 'Boy, if you just double this guy or just key on this guy in the run game or throw game,' I think Skylar is excited because there are multiple guys who can get the football and do special things."
On Justin Hughes' progress since camp started…
"He's improved. I don't think he's where he wants to be, but he's getting better. He came off of a really serious knee injury. From understanding what we're doing and getting guys lined up and being a great voice and communicator out there, he's every bit of what I knew he was going to be. From a physical standpoint, I know he's going to continue to get stronger as the year goes on. I'm telling you guys, it was a horrific knee injury that he suffered. He has Eli (Elijah Sullivan), who suffered a horrific knee injury as well, so they have some things they can feed off of each other and utilize. He's going to play an awful lot for us. We're fortunate there because Daniel Green is going to play an awful lot for us at Mike backer. Justin Hughes is going to play a lot for us at Mike backer. Eli Sullivan is going to play a lot for us. Cody Fletcher is going to play a lot for us. We have four linebackers with really good experience that can feed off of each other. We're going to need all four of them, not only on Saturday but throughout the year."
SKYLAR THOMPSON, SENIOR QUARTERBACK
On the biggest challenge of not knowing which players will be available each week ...
"It's a challenge. It's a challenge not just for myself but for everyone, just how quick things can change and how fast this can spread. It is tough. From my point of view, and my approach is whoever we have out there, whoever is available to play we're going to be ready to go play, we're going to be ready to go and compete. I'm going to make sure whoever I have with me that they're going to be ready and they're going to be confident. A lot of that is our work throughout the week and leading up to the game, in practice and watching film together. All those types of things are going to be a big emphasis for me as far as building confidence and building trust and continuity as much as we can. It's a challenging time, it's a challenging time let alone injuries but with COVID, there's just so much that can take place as far as who's going to be available to play on Saturday. In saying that, that's out of my control as well. I can't worry about that, and I won't worry about that. I have a lot of confidence in myself and our coaching staff as far as our game plan and getting guys ready, putting guys in the right spot to make plays. Then just building confidence throughout the week whenever those opportunities present themselves so on Saturday we're ready to go and we make those plays."
On what Coach Klieman has proven to him as a coach …
"He has proven to me to be calm, cool and collected through everything. He does not waiver to anything. He never gets too high. He never gets too low. He just stays even keeled the entire time. You can never tell if he's mad, upset, happy. He just stays even keeled. I think as our head football coach and a guy I look up to a lot, in a football aspect and outside of football, I just think that's a huge, huge character trait that is so important in life and in the game of football, especially as a guy in my position and the position I play that's a big emphasis for me, being calm, cool, and collected through it all. To have a leader like that to look up to and see him do it first hand - it helps me and it helps our whole entire football team. The past five months have been a whirlwind. March 6th we got shut down and said not to come back to campus, and we didn't know what was going to happen. We get back here in June then we get shut down for another two weeks. Then we get back here again and kind of get in a routine, and then the Big Ten and Pac-12 is cancelling their seasons, and we're thinking we're not going to have a season. It's been a rollercoaster of emotions, but through it all, Coach Klieman has been right here the whole time. I think that has helped me a lot in the process as far as reflecting the same character and controlling what I can control. He's been preaching that to me over and over again and just instilling in me just being confident. I think that's one thing I'm super, super thankful and just blessed to be in a situation with him as my football coach. He is an open-line of communication, and he has on a consistent basis instilled his confidence in me and his belief in me to lead this football team. I think for me as a player hearing my head football coach tell me that to my face and show me that with his actions on a consistent basis just gives me a lot of confidence, and it helps our entire football team. It builds confidence with us all."
On his thoughts going into his senior year…
"It's crazy, it's crazy. I've had a lot of family reach out to me this week just talking about how this is the last one. Especially my Dad, he called me over the weekend, and I talked to him and shot texts back and forth. It's just like I've been playing this game since I was in third grade. It's been a long journey, lots of fun, lots of memories. This game has taught me a ton, taught me a ton, and the game means a ton to me. I've always had a lot of value in football just from what I've been through in my life. It's always been my rock and it's always just been there for me. This is my last run at it. My family really just tried to drill into my head to try and cherish every moment, especially in the situation we have now. It could be over at any given point in time. You never know when that last game could be with COVID or just having an injury. You never know. As much as this game means a ton to me, it's truly a gift that I've been fortunate to be blessed with. I think that's my perspective and my approach toward this last year is how much of a gift this game is for me to use my platform as a person as a player to just go have fun and impact others, to serve others and to play the game the right way. That's the biggest thing for me. As much as this game means a lot to me, it's not my identity. It's not who I am truly. What happens out on the field doesn't define who I am off the field, and in that general census, it's a game meant to have fun. I think that's what Coach Klein has really been drilling that into my head too. From his experience too as, obviously, going through the same situation and being a senior, there's a lot of lasts. He's just been telling me, 'Go have fun and enjoy this game because that's how it meant to be.' Through the past couple weeks, and three weeks it's really, we finally get to go play Saturday. It's like, man I didn't think this day would come, honestly, at one point in time. It's a blessing to be here and to be preparing for a game this week. I'm so excited. I just can't wait, can't wait, to go out there and compete. That's the biggest thing is I'm ready to go and compete. I'm ready to get hit a little bit. I'm ready to make some plays. I'm ready to have fun with my teammates and make some memories I'll remember for the rest of my life. That's the biggest thing for me, I'm just so, so excited. I know K-State fans, our fanbase, our families, our friends, everybody's just so excited to go see us out there and go play. Ultimately, that's what it's all about. I'm so excited to go play and compete for our fanbase, and my family, and my friends, and just go cut it loose and have fun."
On playing the first game together with tight Briley Moore…
"I'll tell you what, we've been talking about it a lot, obviously. Even this weekend, we were texting back and forth during the Memphis game when they (Arkansas State) were playing Memphis. Man, it's really here. We're about to go strap it up and have the same uniform on and go compete and play together. For me and Briley, I feel like him and I are personally very similar as far as our approach on life and our values. He means a lot to me. He means a lot to me, and I'm just so excited for him to have this opportunity to play on this stage and play in our offense. He's going to help us out so much in the run game, pass game, but above all, that he's just a great person, he's a great leader. He's been here for three months and has already earned the respect of his teammates. Guys respect him and look up to him. With his position group at tight end, we have some younger guys in that room who are very talented. Having a guy like Briley in that room, who's had experience, who understands the game really well, being able to look up to him and learn from him, ask questions, all that stuff has been super helpful for our football team. Now for him and I, it's about going out there and having fun together. This is what we've talked about for our entire life - getting the opportunity to go and play and be on the same team together. Now it's here, I'm just super excited to go out there and make memories with him and make plays, just make plays. I have a lot of confidence in him. I know he's excited. I know he's going to be ready to play. He's going to really help this football team with just the way he brings an edge. I know Briley, and I've seen a little bit of it at practice, but when the real bullets get flying, he's a competitive dude and he brings a lot of confidence and has that edge to him that's going to rub off on people around him. I just can't wait to have that on offense."
On how many running backs they've utilized in the passing game…
"In our system in general we're going to use four to five running backs. It is important to have a solid group of four to five guys who understand what's going on, understand our gameplan, understand their role, understand our schemes. We have a solid group - Tyler Burns, Harry Trotter, Jacardia Wright, Deuce Vaughn, and Keyon Mozee. All of those guys are going to make plays and be part of our gameplan. I think each one of them understand their role and understand what they have to bring to the team. It doesn't matter if you're a true freshman or a fifth year senior. You're going to be a guy that we're going to count on. Every single one of them are very capable of making a lot of plays, and they each have their own skill set. I think that's what's super unique is each of them are really good at certain things and understand their strengths and weaknesses, our coaches do as well, and they're going to put them in spots to make plays. For me with the younger guys, with Deuce and Mozee, and even Jacardia, is just for me instilling confidence in them. I've been in their position before as a young player playing, and there can be a lot of pressure. There can be a lot of anxiety a little bit going into games, not wanting to mess up or not wanting to let your team down. Just letting them know that you're going to make mistakes, you're going to mess up, and I'm going to mess up and make mistakes, that's just part of the game. But when you're on the field, you've got to take your opportunity and make the most of it. I know those guys will, and I'm super excited to get on the field and make plays with them."
On the most difficult part of dealing with COVID...
"It's been difficult in a lot of different ways. The uncertainty aspect is super hard through this process of how things can change in a blink of an eye. Nothing's guaranteed. I think that is hard to wrap my mind around and understand. But at the same time, I also know and understand it's out of my control, that aspect of it is. What is under my control and is hard, and is going to be very hard during the season, I haven't really had to deal with it yet, but seeing my family after games. I've already talked to my family, my dad's a principal, my mom's a teacher, my little brother is in school - they're going to be around a ton of people all the time. We've had to have some tough conversations as far as after games. I don't know what it's going to look like as far as being able to see them. If I do, it's probably going to be from a socially-distant aspect, and I'm going to have a mask on. Not probably, that's how it will be. For me, that's a big part of who I am is my family and getting to spend time with them. Especially weekends of games is a big routine thing I have is the night before games at our hotel, my dad always came and visited me. It was just him and I. That was really the time of the week I really look forward to every week because it was a moment where it was just my dad and I. I didn't have a bunch of other people trying to talk to me or trying to visit with me. I could just sit there and talk to my dad and have some really quality father-son time. Talk about the game plan, talk about how I'm feeling. My dad would just tell me how proud he was of me or just talk about memories of me being a little kid. Just having conversations with my dad in those types of moments I always cherished and really take a lot of pride in and value. That not being realistic this year is going to be tough, but at the same time, what we're doing right now having technology, there's ways we can still get that done, just maybe through a phone. But like I said, we all understand, my parents understand, my family understands, everybody who's going to come out here and come watch me play and support me from my family and friend aspect understand the sacrifice that it's going to take for me. They understand that they're a part of the sacrifice too. They can't go out and be around tons of people and put themselves in situations to get this virus either. At the same time, we're always going to take the right precautions of the situation. In my living situation, I only live with one other person and it happens to be Coach Klieman's son, Devin. Him and I both are very understanding of the situation, and we're all about the team. Devin is a very special, special human being. He's a student coach here, and he's really bought in and he cares about our football team as well. He's not going to put himself in a position to get sick either. We both understand we're going to have to do a lot and sacrifice a lot, but at the end of the day, we want to play football. Ultimately, that's what's most important right, and everybody in my life and his life and everybody understands that. It's going to be a process we're going to have to work through and understand and make the most of having a six-feet conversation with my family. It will be good, and we'll make the most of it."
HARRY TROTTER, SENIOR RUNNING BACK
On how much Arkansas State film has been able to watch...
"As soon as we knew they were our opponent, they immediately loaded up the clips of games from last year. I'd say I've been through 70-80% of last year's games Then I dove into the Memphis game on Monday, but I also watched some of it live. Our film staff does a great job with all that stuff. I've been able to get through a lot of their stuff."
On being utilized more in the passing game...
"It's been a little different but not much. As I've had another offseason to look over the playbook, I've learned more about what the receivers do on certain routes and schemes. I don't think it will just be me, it will be a lot of us running backs being able to come out of the backfield, whatever it may be - sweep motions, pass routes, whatever Coach Mess (Courtney Messingham) needs us to do, we can step up and do it."
On if there are any differences in game planning because of circumstances...
"I think the coaching staff has done a great job of making it feel as normal as possible. We had a normal Monday yesterday, a solid practice. Now we will have a normal Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and we have had a pretty normal preparation schedule. I think the team feels good where we are at. It's been pretty normal up to this point, and we feel good about it. "
On the progression of Skylar Thompson through the last couple of weeks…
"The thing about Skylar is just that he's an amazing leader. It seems like every year he's stepped up more and more in a leadership role, even more so this offseason with not a typical offseason and a couple months of quarantine. He's done a great job of leading the pack, keeping everybody positive and keeping everybody upbeat when things were unsure. He's done a great job of leading the way and keeping everybody positive. I think now that we're in practice mode and game mode, he's just ready to go. He's a lot better this season than he was last year. He's so much more prepared. I think he's going to do a great job this season. I can't wait to see what he does."
On what he's seen from fellow running back Deuce Vaughn …
"I think his preparation has set him apart a lot. I know back in the summer he was diving into the playbook. In all of our Zoom meetings, he seemed pretty knowledgeable about the offense. He had a great camp - he just executed well when we needed him to. He's a great dude out in space, so we can put him in different positions. He can do different things out of the backfield as well. I think he's just done a great job of learning the playbook. He's a confident dude, so I'm excited to see what he'll do this season."
On what the reaction from the team is when they find out someone has to quarantine…
"It's random, but it's a step-up thing for whatever position group it is. It's kind of a shock, but you only have a couple minutes to get over it because then you have to practice, you have to lift. We've talked a lot about it. It' just opportunities for other guys. When somebody does go down with a positive test or a close contact, whatever it may be, it's just a chance for somebody else to step up and make plays, especially our young guys. I think a lot of guys will have opportunities this year just because of the COVID stuff going on. People just have to be prepared, and when the time comes, make the best of it."
On Arkansas State's defense…
"They graduated a lot of guys from last year, but they filled some spots with some good guys, some transfers, but also some younger guys. Mainly, an Okie-front team, but they're aggressive and can make plays. They have some good players, good linebackers. I like their nose guard. I think he's a well-techniqued guy. I'm excited to play against them. I think they're a good defense. They're aggressive and they can make plays. We have to be able to execute against them."
WYATT HUBERT, JUNIOR DEFENSIVE END
On Arkansas State's offense...
"It's definitely always tough facing a veteran offensive line that has many years under their belt. Having not only one, but two, weapons at quarterback is a challenge as well. I think our d-line is going to be super solid. Even though we lost three starters from last year, that was kind of a question that ran through my mind - who is going to step up? I think all three guys have definitely stepped up and we'll be just as solid as last year. Quarterback-wise, like I said, they're definitely very experienced, but it's not different than what we face in the Big 12."
On the progression of linebacker Justin Hughes...
"Prayers for him. It's crazy how much he's been through, how much adversity he's fought with his injuries and all that kind of stuff. Definitely excited and glad to have him back at mike-backer. Missed that vocalization that he has. How well he communicates, how loud he gets that through. It's nice to have him as the quarterback of the defense calling out the calls and all that kind of stuff. Talking about getting the dust off his game, obviously he missed out on a lot of football but just like any other player you've got to get out there and get the reps in and get that experience back and get those reps back and things will start to fall back into place."
On his excitement level of playing a game this weekend...
"Yeah, I'm super excited. Just a few weeks ago, we thought the season was going to get canceled. So, how the tables have turned so much. I just feel super blessed and fortunate that the Big 12 allowed us to play football this year - how the commissioner, the presidents and athletic directors gave us the chance to allow us to play. So, I feel super blessed and fortunate. Not just for me, but for the rest of my teammates. We're super excited. We can't wait. We're just ready to roll."
On fellow defensive end Bronson Massie...
"Last year, Bronson fought through injury, so he was definitely going through that adversity. He got that all squared away. He's definitely come back ready. It's his last year, and he knows that for sure. So, he's trying to go out with a bang and try to impress the team. He's played in a lot of games, so he has a lot of experience under his belt. With this being his last year, he's just ready to go out there and do his thing."
On his weekly schedule...
"My classes are limited - I'm not in very many classes right now. With all that free time that I've had, I sat down before the season started, went through my schedule and realized how much extra free time I have. I asked myself, 'What can I do with all that extra free time that excels me past guys, not only on my team, but on other teams as well. What can I do, rather than just show up and go to practice, to make myself better.' Obviously, I've dedicated and turned that time into being productive time - extra weight-lifting sessions, extra film sessions, extra treatment sessions, more time so I can take care of my body better. Just having all the free time to do whatever I wanted with it, I just decided to take that time because it is so valuable, and do something football-related with that time just so I can excel myself, not just past my teammates, but other people as well."
On the difference between Scottie Hazelton and Joe Klanderman...
"It's kind of tough to answer that question because we haven't even played our first game yet. I really don't know how Coach Klanderman is going to operate in a gametime situation, whether we we're up a lot or down a lot, whether the offense is driving down the field on a quick two-minute series. I think I can say they're going to handle it pretty much the same way. I say that because they are two of the smartest coaches I've ever had in football. It's crazy that I've had two coaches like that on the same staff, on the same exact team. Once Coach Hazelton left, we all knew Coach Klanderman was going to step up and be the d-coordinator. That's something he's always been prepared for. That's something he's always been ready for. When bullets are flying and crazy times are happening on the field - even just at practice with Coach Klanderman - he makes quick adjustments in the secondary and in the box with the front seven. He makes quick adjustments like that with our gameplan."
On what he appreciates most about Coach Klieman after one year as the head coach...
"The thing I appreciate the most about Coach Klieman is that every decision he makes, he does it for us players. You can't name a better coach than him. Just having a head coach that makes all his decisions based off his players' interest is something that gets us so fired up and just makes us realize that, 'Coach Klieman gives it all for us, so we have to give it all for him.' That's pretty much the sum of that answer because it's so true and it happens on a daily basis for us."
JUSTIN HUGHES, SENIOR LINEBACKER
On the biggest challenges coming back from injury...
"I feel like I have done a great job since the beginning of camp to this point on knocking off the rust like Coach (Steve) Stanard said. Just getting back out there, I feel like my knee is getting better day by day. A couple practices ago, Coach Klieman came up to me and said, 'J-Ball, you are starting to look like an athlete again.' Small stuff like that just helps my confidence going out there each and every day, and I tell them that it's a day-by-day process. I'm happy with my process back out there. I think the most challenging part is mental. I feel like my knee is fine, the trainers tell me all the time that it's just up to me mentally to go out there and be who I was before the injury and just before contact thinking about contact and thinking about the whole process through with my knee is the biggest challenge. I just have to get over that. Once I get over that mental hump, I feel like it's full force ahead. I feel like I have been doing a pretty good job so far that once I get back there on that field versus somebody else's team, it's going to be on and poppin'."
On the challenge of going against running back Deuce Vaughn in practice…
"His speed, he's a matchup nightmare in the passing game. If you get him in the open field, he's probably going to make you miss every time. So to see him in the backfield, I know me and Elijah say, 'Deuce, Deuce, Deuce.' We point him out every time he's on the field because we know either he's getting the ball, or they are setting him up to get the ball. So, we just try to contain him and let the defensive ends know he's in so they can contain him in the box as far as our defense. But Deuce is a hell of a player. He's one of the most mature guys I've ever been around as far as a true freshman goes, and that's a great thing. I tell him all the time that he's more mature than he needs to be right now, and that's great. He's doing a great job, and I'm glad he is doing a good job. He's a great element for our offense. I hope he bursts out onto the scene this season and becomes one of the best running backs in the Big 12."
On reflecting about being a starter for a college football team…
"Every time I go home after practice and a long day of watching film and just practicing, going through rehab and just doing things to get my knee better every day, I go home and watch film on my iPad, and I just sit there and talk to myself and thank God that I am able to get this opportunity and keep doing things to get myself better. I just keep thanking God and believing in my faith, I talk my parents, my family members all the time and just thanking God that I had this opportunity. I'm just so grateful to be able to be out there again. Like I said, I'm just excited and eager to get out there on that field and play somebody else's team and let it all go."
On the comparison of Arkansas State's offense to other Big 12 offenses...
"For sure, the up-tempo is comparable to almost like Texas Tech, which is like a full force ahead speed and getting lined up. It's not as fast as Texas Tech, but they will get lined up and you just have to get set before you know what you're doing. You have to get everybody aligned as far as calling out the defense and letting people know what they got and letting them know what I got. It's great seeing that the first week and getting prepared for our league and just being able to have that type a team to prepare for the Big 12 challenges, like Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, all those guys, the Baylors, just being able to have a team to prepare for that like that is truly a great opportunity for us as a team to come out for the first week of the season."
On Justin's thoughts about his injury then vs. now…
"My first thought process was, I told my team in Memphis right before the game last year, looking at Reggie (Walker), Trey Dishon, and Jordan Mittie, Joe Davies, all those guys. The first thought process was, 'Dang, I'm not going to be able to play behind my brothers.' That d-line was amazing, but now that I see that we have guys to replace those guys that we have a great d-line this year. That was the first thought that ran through my mind, just not being able to play behind those dogs. I'm glad we have a new element as far as the defensive line and the new speed element, as far as pass rush getting behind the ball, getting behind the line of scrimmage. That was one of my initial thoughts, but going through this process of rehab and getting better has shown me that I can do anything as long as I put my mind to it. I've been through so much adversity in my life, even with going through college. Being the young guy having some hiccups and doing some things that I shouldn't be doing and just going through adversity man. I, just again, want to thank God to have an opportunity, and I'm blessed that I've had the strength to keep going, and the faith to keep going and fight through everything I've been through. I just can't wait to get back on that field Saturday."
On worrying about two different quarterbacks…
"Me specifically, I don't worry about it too much. I just line up against whoever's out there. Of course, I look at personnel as far as who's out there, but the quarterback position, as far as the run game, it's a little element. As far as the run game, I'm thinking about fitting schemes, and then I'm worried about the pass as far as the defense goes. If the team can run on you, they can do anything. So, first it's stop the run and then worry about the pass. I think that's what our whole defensive mindset. So we're not worried about who's out there, we're more worried about who's on our defense and what we're going to do schematically to stop anyone who comes out on that field."
On the difference of starting with a non-conference opponent…
"Like I said earlier, this is a great team. It will help us prepare the league. They are schematically similar to the Baylors, the TCUs, Oklahoma States. They run similar offenses. It's a great team to prepare for. It's a great opportunity for our defense to get this type of scheme, as far as tempo, getting conditioned to the Big 12. As far as schematically, getting prepared for the schemes that we are going to see as far as a defense versus the offenses in our league, it's a great opportunity for each and every one of us. D-line to the cornerbacks, we need to see it as a defense, and we are blessed that we have the opportunity to see that."
On linebackers coach Steven Stanard...
"It's great to play for coach because he's going to make you accountable for everything you do. He's going to hold you to a standard, and he's going to hold you to nothing less than that standard. He talks about all the players he's had in the past of who thanks him for being hard on them because it's gotten them to where they are now. I can't wait to get out there to play for a guy who's going to hold me accountable because it's just going to make me better as a player. I just can't wait to see what the hard-nosed accountability is going to do for me as a player as far as me being prepared for the next level."
On former defensive coordinator Scottie Hazelton leaving for Michigan State...
"It was tough at first, but you have to realize that all of this is a business, and you have to do what's best for us individually. That's what he felt like was best for him and his family. Our hats go off for him doing a great job and putting his family in a better position. Of course I love Coach Haze, and I'm sad I didn't get the opportunity to get out there and play for him, but I support him and everything he's done. We actually talked during the draft this spring because one of his linebackers from Wyoming got drafted. We watched film on him all the time. We chopped it up a little bit. We haven't talked since the quarantine and everything that's happened. I guess I've been so busy that I haven't had the opportunity because I'm coming back off my injury. I'm glad you mentioned it because I'm going to hit him up right after this and see how he's doing."
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/ FootballK-State FB | Welcome back Collin Klein
Monday, December 08
K-State FB | Head Coach Collin Klein Radio Interview
Friday, December 05
K-State FB | Head Coach Collin Klein Official Introductory Event
Friday, December 05
K-State FB | Thank You Coach Klieman
Wednesday, December 03
