Sunflower Showdown Only Thing on K-State’s Mind
Nov 25, 2022 | Football, Sports Extra
By: D. Scott Fritchen
No. 12 Kansas State has made a point this week not to mention what will happen if the Wildcats beat Kansas in the Dillons Sunflower Showdown.
And for good reason.
K-State head coach Chris Klieman has the Wildcats thinking about only one thing: Beating the Jayhawks. And nothing else.
"These guys know what's at stake," Klieman said. "Our guys are smart enough to know what's at stake. Rather than putting all that stress on them, let's just handle the day as it goes and make sure we're prepared for today, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and then we'll see if we're good enough."
A win would send a 28-member senior class out with a win on Senior Night and keep the coveted Governor's Cup trophy in the Vanier Family Football Complex.
Here's what K-State has made a point not to mention: A win would clinch a berth in the Big 12 Championship Game for the Wildcats, 8-3 overall and 6-2 in the Big 12, who have won three of their last four contests. The Wildcats would face No. 4 TCU for a chance at the program's first Big 12 title since 2012.
"That's something we're not thinking about," K-State running back Deuce Vaughn said. "We can't overlook this game."
Kansas, 6-5 and 3-5, has lost five of its last six and come off a 55-14 loss to Texas last Saturday in Lawrence.
K-State's 13 straight wins over Kansas are the most by either team in a series that dates to 1902. The Wildcats are 25-4 against the Jayhawks since 1993, outscoring them by an average score of 35-15 over that span.
Under Klieman, K-State has won the last three in the series 38-10, 55-14 and 35-10.
"We need to carry our end of the rivalry," said second-year Kansas head coach Lance Leipold. "This hasn't been much of a rivalry. We didn't make it a competitive game last year. That's first and foremost what I'm focused on. For what it's worth, I think it's great that it's the last game of the year."
This will mark the first time the teams will meet in the final regular-season game since 2016.
"Rivalry games should be played later in the season," Klieman said. "It's great for both teams no matter the record. There's a lot at stake when you have your rivalry game at the end. That's what makes this one really unique."
The game sold out about a month in advance for Saturday's 7 p.m. kickoff (FOX) at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
"The last couple of years it hasn't been as competitive as it will be this year," K-State quarterback Will Howard said. "Give credit to them. Coach Leipold has built a culture there and they've bought in, and they're much improved. It's going to be a challenge.
"It's going to be an electric atmosphere. I know K-State Nation is going to come out in full support. I'm looking forward to it. It's going to be electric."
K-State's offense has been electric. Howard has thrown 11 touchdowns to just two interceptions in four games in relief of injured Adrian Martinez and the Wildcats have gained more than 375 yards in total offense in each of their league games for the first time in Big 12 history.
Wide receivers Malik Knowles (44 catches), Kade Warner (34) and Phillip Brooks (33) have caused problems for defenses along with the emergence of sophomore tight end Ben Sinnott, who has 25 catches for 356 yards and three touchdowns.
Vaughn, the fourth-leading rusher in the Big 12 with 1,148 yards and six scores, also has 38 catches for 266 yards and three touchdowns.
"We have so many weapons that it's hard to take just me away because it opens up everything else," Sinnott said. "I think I'm honestly probably the least of the worries with how talented our offense is this year."
K-State has been balanced all season and has 2,325 passing yards and 2,290 rushing yards.
"Everybody that's making catches for me, it makes my job easy, because defenses have to be so worried about Deuce and they're worried about shutting down the run, and it opens up the passing game," Howard said. "When they start worrying about the pass, you give it to Deuce and he's pretty good at football, as you guys know."
Vaughn had 162 rushing yards against Kansas last season. The Jayhawks surrendered 427 rushing yards to Texas, as Bijan Robinson ran for 243 yards and four scores.
"Wherever Kansas is on our schedule we're going to attack it the same way as if it were the first game of the season," Vaughn said. "It's the last game and sold out and KU, so it's great we get to end it this way and play a great game against a great football team."
Kansas began its season 5-0 before a 38-31 loss to No. 17 TCU that began the Jayhawks' slide. In Kansas' losses, it has allowed opponents 38, 52, 35, 43 and 55 points.
"Every day is a test of your culture," Leipold said. "We didn't play well and didn't handle some situations well. To me, it's just a part of the whole growth process of building a consistent program. By no means did we ever think we were 'there.' We've made great progress and there are days that you take a step back."
Meanwhile, K-State looks to take another step forward.
"Coach Klieman and his staff have done an outstanding job," Leipold said. "They have an excellent football team with a lot to play for and they've earned that right. They have a lot of weapons and one of the best defenses in the country. It's going to be a big task to go in there."
K-State has held every FBS opponent under its scoring average at the time that the teams have played and has held three conference opponents without a touchdown in wins at Iowa State (10-9), against Oklahoma State (48-0) and at Baylor (31-3).
However, the Wildcats will be without starting safety Cincere Mason, who suffered a season-ending injury in last Saturday's 48-31 win at West Virginia after replacing starter Kobe Savage, who suffered a season-ending injury the week prior.
Klieman entered the week uncertain who would replace Mason in the lineup.
"It's tough," cornerback Julius Brents said. "My heart breaks for those guys. We have to make sure we have that next-man-up mentality and make sure we don't lose a beat. It's tough losing two guys like that with their leadership roles in the back end within this team. We're going to make sure we do everything to make sure everybody is ready."
K-State will face a Kansas offense that is its best in more than a decade. Kansas averages 36.9 points per game, its best since averaging 42.7 points in 2007. The Jayhawks have scored 52 touchdowns after not having more than 36 in any season over the last 10 years. Kansas averages 7.20 yards per play, which is tied for third in the FBS with Tennessee and only behind Ohio State (7.39) and USC (7.28).
Quarterback Jalen Daniels started the most recent game against Texas, marking his first game action since exiting the TCU game on October 8. Against the Longhorns, Daniels went 17-of-26 for 230 yards and two touchdowns and one interception with a 55-yard completion to Quentin Skinner.
With Daniels out, Jason Bean stepped into the starting quarterback role for four games. Against TCU, Bean threw for 262 yards and a career-high four touchdowns.
Both quarterbacks can run — Daniels has 353 rushing yards and five touchdowns, and Bean has 212 yards and three touchdowns.
"(Daniels) causes a lot of problems because he can throw is exceptionally well and he can run it and extend plays," Klieman said. "He does a little bit of everything. He makes everyone around him better and I'd say the same thing about Bean. Both quarterbacks have had really good success.
"I assume we're going to see both or both are going to be available. They're both really dynamic players. They're an explosive offense."
Brents understands the importance of this matchup.
"This game does mean a little bit more with it being a rivalry," he said. "We're going to get their best shot from them and we're going to give them our best shot. It's definitely a game you have circled, this year as well, and with it being the last game, it's a great way to go out."
Asked to describe his team's emotions this week, Klieman, who reached his 100th career victory last Saturday, replied, "I've never been a big believer in put all your eggs in this basket, because if you don't have success, what happens? That's undo pressure on kids.
"Some of it is outside noise that they need to block out. We have a really good group of leaders and a great locker room that they'll block out some of the outside noise and realize that the focus is us, it's not even KU or whatever is coming after, but it's us and what we have to do on a daily basis to prepare."
The Wildcats appear loose and prepared for action.
"When we're playing with that swagger you can tell we're having fun — watching the defense celebrate after a turnover and watching us celebrate after a touchdown," Howard said. "It's just fun, you know? When you can make this game fun, a lot of good things are going to happen."
If K-State can get past Kansas, something really good will happen.
No. 12 Kansas State has made a point this week not to mention what will happen if the Wildcats beat Kansas in the Dillons Sunflower Showdown.
And for good reason.
K-State head coach Chris Klieman has the Wildcats thinking about only one thing: Beating the Jayhawks. And nothing else.
"These guys know what's at stake," Klieman said. "Our guys are smart enough to know what's at stake. Rather than putting all that stress on them, let's just handle the day as it goes and make sure we're prepared for today, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and then we'll see if we're good enough."
A win would send a 28-member senior class out with a win on Senior Night and keep the coveted Governor's Cup trophy in the Vanier Family Football Complex.
Here's what K-State has made a point not to mention: A win would clinch a berth in the Big 12 Championship Game for the Wildcats, 8-3 overall and 6-2 in the Big 12, who have won three of their last four contests. The Wildcats would face No. 4 TCU for a chance at the program's first Big 12 title since 2012.
"That's something we're not thinking about," K-State running back Deuce Vaughn said. "We can't overlook this game."
Kansas, 6-5 and 3-5, has lost five of its last six and come off a 55-14 loss to Texas last Saturday in Lawrence.
K-State's 13 straight wins over Kansas are the most by either team in a series that dates to 1902. The Wildcats are 25-4 against the Jayhawks since 1993, outscoring them by an average score of 35-15 over that span.
Under Klieman, K-State has won the last three in the series 38-10, 55-14 and 35-10.
"We need to carry our end of the rivalry," said second-year Kansas head coach Lance Leipold. "This hasn't been much of a rivalry. We didn't make it a competitive game last year. That's first and foremost what I'm focused on. For what it's worth, I think it's great that it's the last game of the year."
This will mark the first time the teams will meet in the final regular-season game since 2016.
"Rivalry games should be played later in the season," Klieman said. "It's great for both teams no matter the record. There's a lot at stake when you have your rivalry game at the end. That's what makes this one really unique."
The game sold out about a month in advance for Saturday's 7 p.m. kickoff (FOX) at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
"The last couple of years it hasn't been as competitive as it will be this year," K-State quarterback Will Howard said. "Give credit to them. Coach Leipold has built a culture there and they've bought in, and they're much improved. It's going to be a challenge.
"It's going to be an electric atmosphere. I know K-State Nation is going to come out in full support. I'm looking forward to it. It's going to be electric."
K-State's offense has been electric. Howard has thrown 11 touchdowns to just two interceptions in four games in relief of injured Adrian Martinez and the Wildcats have gained more than 375 yards in total offense in each of their league games for the first time in Big 12 history.
Wide receivers Malik Knowles (44 catches), Kade Warner (34) and Phillip Brooks (33) have caused problems for defenses along with the emergence of sophomore tight end Ben Sinnott, who has 25 catches for 356 yards and three touchdowns.
Vaughn, the fourth-leading rusher in the Big 12 with 1,148 yards and six scores, also has 38 catches for 266 yards and three touchdowns.
"We have so many weapons that it's hard to take just me away because it opens up everything else," Sinnott said. "I think I'm honestly probably the least of the worries with how talented our offense is this year."
K-State has been balanced all season and has 2,325 passing yards and 2,290 rushing yards.
"Everybody that's making catches for me, it makes my job easy, because defenses have to be so worried about Deuce and they're worried about shutting down the run, and it opens up the passing game," Howard said. "When they start worrying about the pass, you give it to Deuce and he's pretty good at football, as you guys know."
Vaughn had 162 rushing yards against Kansas last season. The Jayhawks surrendered 427 rushing yards to Texas, as Bijan Robinson ran for 243 yards and four scores.
"Wherever Kansas is on our schedule we're going to attack it the same way as if it were the first game of the season," Vaughn said. "It's the last game and sold out and KU, so it's great we get to end it this way and play a great game against a great football team."
Kansas began its season 5-0 before a 38-31 loss to No. 17 TCU that began the Jayhawks' slide. In Kansas' losses, it has allowed opponents 38, 52, 35, 43 and 55 points.
"Every day is a test of your culture," Leipold said. "We didn't play well and didn't handle some situations well. To me, it's just a part of the whole growth process of building a consistent program. By no means did we ever think we were 'there.' We've made great progress and there are days that you take a step back."
Meanwhile, K-State looks to take another step forward.
"Coach Klieman and his staff have done an outstanding job," Leipold said. "They have an excellent football team with a lot to play for and they've earned that right. They have a lot of weapons and one of the best defenses in the country. It's going to be a big task to go in there."
K-State has held every FBS opponent under its scoring average at the time that the teams have played and has held three conference opponents without a touchdown in wins at Iowa State (10-9), against Oklahoma State (48-0) and at Baylor (31-3).
However, the Wildcats will be without starting safety Cincere Mason, who suffered a season-ending injury in last Saturday's 48-31 win at West Virginia after replacing starter Kobe Savage, who suffered a season-ending injury the week prior.
Klieman entered the week uncertain who would replace Mason in the lineup.
"It's tough," cornerback Julius Brents said. "My heart breaks for those guys. We have to make sure we have that next-man-up mentality and make sure we don't lose a beat. It's tough losing two guys like that with their leadership roles in the back end within this team. We're going to make sure we do everything to make sure everybody is ready."
K-State will face a Kansas offense that is its best in more than a decade. Kansas averages 36.9 points per game, its best since averaging 42.7 points in 2007. The Jayhawks have scored 52 touchdowns after not having more than 36 in any season over the last 10 years. Kansas averages 7.20 yards per play, which is tied for third in the FBS with Tennessee and only behind Ohio State (7.39) and USC (7.28).
Quarterback Jalen Daniels started the most recent game against Texas, marking his first game action since exiting the TCU game on October 8. Against the Longhorns, Daniels went 17-of-26 for 230 yards and two touchdowns and one interception with a 55-yard completion to Quentin Skinner.
With Daniels out, Jason Bean stepped into the starting quarterback role for four games. Against TCU, Bean threw for 262 yards and a career-high four touchdowns.
Both quarterbacks can run — Daniels has 353 rushing yards and five touchdowns, and Bean has 212 yards and three touchdowns.
"(Daniels) causes a lot of problems because he can throw is exceptionally well and he can run it and extend plays," Klieman said. "He does a little bit of everything. He makes everyone around him better and I'd say the same thing about Bean. Both quarterbacks have had really good success.
"I assume we're going to see both or both are going to be available. They're both really dynamic players. They're an explosive offense."
Brents understands the importance of this matchup.
"This game does mean a little bit more with it being a rivalry," he said. "We're going to get their best shot from them and we're going to give them our best shot. It's definitely a game you have circled, this year as well, and with it being the last game, it's a great way to go out."
Asked to describe his team's emotions this week, Klieman, who reached his 100th career victory last Saturday, replied, "I've never been a big believer in put all your eggs in this basket, because if you don't have success, what happens? That's undo pressure on kids.
"Some of it is outside noise that they need to block out. We have a really good group of leaders and a great locker room that they'll block out some of the outside noise and realize that the focus is us, it's not even KU or whatever is coming after, but it's us and what we have to do on a daily basis to prepare."
The Wildcats appear loose and prepared for action.
"When we're playing with that swagger you can tell we're having fun — watching the defense celebrate after a turnover and watching us celebrate after a touchdown," Howard said. "It's just fun, you know? When you can make this game fun, a lot of good things are going to happen."
If K-State can get past Kansas, something really good will happen.
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