Nov 03, 2022 | Football
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State offensive coordinator Collin Klein and defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman met with members of the media on Thursday at the Vanier Family Football Complex prior to the Wildcats hosting Texas on Saturday. Links to video and audio of both press conferences are above, and a transcript of select quotes are below.
COLLIN KLEIN, OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR
On what is the difference for Will Howard compared to years past…
"I think it's a materialization of his work and his time, how's he's broken his game down, how he's just attacked the process and how he's continued to improve. It's him out on Friday morning before we leave to go to TCU getting a 30-minute throwing workout in on his own. If there's one of those, there's 100. He's developed true confidence, and he's always been an extremely smart player. It's been so fun to watch him continuing to develop, and then obviously be able to perform and do what we've always known he was capable of."
On who will be the starting quarterback this Saturday…
"No, I think it's going to be about the same as it's been. Both of them have been able to practice this week, and it'll be a game time decision again. Credit to both of those guys how they prepare, and I feel at complete peace with however it ends up going."
On the decision to go for it on the fourth-and-long during the opening drive…
"Well, we knew we were in that area of the field where there's not any easy answers. We knew we were going to go for it, and it was obviously out of field goal range. We switched up the call a little bit, but it worked out. Credit Will (Howard) and Kade (Warner) making a heck of a play."
On how good the offensive line was last Saturday…
"Outstanding, outstanding. I think every unit we've improved as the season has gone, not that it's been perfect at any phase, but just watching how that group has continued to work together, improve and gel has been really good."
On the conversation with Will Howard and Adrian Martinez before kickoff…
"It was a heck of a deal because it was one of those things where we wanted those guys, whoever it was going to be, to make sure that they were confident and in attack mode and ready to go. I think the selflessness of both those guys in that moment was off the chart. Understanding it was what's best for the team and with that in both of their minds. Will going to Adrian, 'Hey, don't be thinking about me in this decision, it's about whatever the team needs.' And Adrian is thinking about whatever the team needs. I don't know, like I said it was amazing deal and a credit to both of their character."
JOE KLANDERMAN, DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR
On what areas they need to improve…
"I mean, there's still some execution things that we can improve on. We're always in search of the perfect game, right? I don't know if we're ever going to find it, but I think guys played really hard and gave themselves a chance to be successful. They made plays, and it was awesome. So proud of them. Fun to watch."
On Khalid Duke playing more as a defensive end against Oklahoma State…
"That's something that we've always kind of had in the works. We can always use him as an extra rusher if we need to. He has an understanding of what we're doing at defensive end. Gradually more and more we're trying to earn him more rushes throughout the course of the year. I think that started to improve once we got into conference play. We want him doing what he does best, and that is what he does best for sure."
On Nick Allen stepping in…
"Nick was awesome, and we knew he was going to be. He just has total control of the game, total control of what he's doing. Just vocal kid similar to Deuce (Daniel Green) in a lot of ways. I couldn't be happier for him and how he's filled in, not only there, but throughout the duration of the TCU game as well."
On where Xaiver Worthy ranks in receivers they've faced this season…
"I'd have a hard time getting a draft going with those guys. They're all different, they're all used differently. They're all special in their own ways. Worthy's deal is he's just incredibly fast, just not nearly as big as the others, but tough to get your hands on him in space. The route concepts that they do with him are a little different than they would do with some of the others. I think he's got a little bit more in his cache, so to speak, then maybe some of the other guys that are fade ball guys. He's a special player."
On getting younger guys meaningful reps on Saturday…
"Yeah, that was cool to get to get him (Krew Jackson) some. Krew and guys like Krew, absolutely. Jake Clifton, I thought grew immensely throughout the week from the late Wednesday edition of moving him to Mike backer as a true freshman to be able to know well all three linebacker spots and make that change in the middle of a week. Then go out there and do what he did was incredible. VJ Payne played 25 snaps as a true freshman. Jacob Parrish played 30 snaps as a true freshman, somewhere in that ballpark. So, it was cool to get a lot of those guys those reps. They're all good."
COLLIN KLEIN, OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR
On what is the difference for Will Howard compared to years past…
"I think it's a materialization of his work and his time, how's he's broken his game down, how he's just attacked the process and how he's continued to improve. It's him out on Friday morning before we leave to go to TCU getting a 30-minute throwing workout in on his own. If there's one of those, there's 100. He's developed true confidence, and he's always been an extremely smart player. It's been so fun to watch him continuing to develop, and then obviously be able to perform and do what we've always known he was capable of."
On who will be the starting quarterback this Saturday…
"No, I think it's going to be about the same as it's been. Both of them have been able to practice this week, and it'll be a game time decision again. Credit to both of those guys how they prepare, and I feel at complete peace with however it ends up going."
On the decision to go for it on the fourth-and-long during the opening drive…
"Well, we knew we were in that area of the field where there's not any easy answers. We knew we were going to go for it, and it was obviously out of field goal range. We switched up the call a little bit, but it worked out. Credit Will (Howard) and Kade (Warner) making a heck of a play."
On how good the offensive line was last Saturday…
"Outstanding, outstanding. I think every unit we've improved as the season has gone, not that it's been perfect at any phase, but just watching how that group has continued to work together, improve and gel has been really good."
On the conversation with Will Howard and Adrian Martinez before kickoff…
"It was a heck of a deal because it was one of those things where we wanted those guys, whoever it was going to be, to make sure that they were confident and in attack mode and ready to go. I think the selflessness of both those guys in that moment was off the chart. Understanding it was what's best for the team and with that in both of their minds. Will going to Adrian, 'Hey, don't be thinking about me in this decision, it's about whatever the team needs.' And Adrian is thinking about whatever the team needs. I don't know, like I said it was amazing deal and a credit to both of their character."
JOE KLANDERMAN, DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR
On what areas they need to improve…
"I mean, there's still some execution things that we can improve on. We're always in search of the perfect game, right? I don't know if we're ever going to find it, but I think guys played really hard and gave themselves a chance to be successful. They made plays, and it was awesome. So proud of them. Fun to watch."
On Khalid Duke playing more as a defensive end against Oklahoma State…
"That's something that we've always kind of had in the works. We can always use him as an extra rusher if we need to. He has an understanding of what we're doing at defensive end. Gradually more and more we're trying to earn him more rushes throughout the course of the year. I think that started to improve once we got into conference play. We want him doing what he does best, and that is what he does best for sure."
On Nick Allen stepping in…
"Nick was awesome, and we knew he was going to be. He just has total control of the game, total control of what he's doing. Just vocal kid similar to Deuce (Daniel Green) in a lot of ways. I couldn't be happier for him and how he's filled in, not only there, but throughout the duration of the TCU game as well."
On where Xaiver Worthy ranks in receivers they've faced this season…
"I'd have a hard time getting a draft going with those guys. They're all different, they're all used differently. They're all special in their own ways. Worthy's deal is he's just incredibly fast, just not nearly as big as the others, but tough to get your hands on him in space. The route concepts that they do with him are a little different than they would do with some of the others. I think he's got a little bit more in his cache, so to speak, then maybe some of the other guys that are fade ball guys. He's a special player."
On getting younger guys meaningful reps on Saturday…
"Yeah, that was cool to get to get him (Krew Jackson) some. Krew and guys like Krew, absolutely. Jake Clifton, I thought grew immensely throughout the week from the late Wednesday edition of moving him to Mike backer as a true freshman to be able to know well all three linebacker spots and make that change in the middle of a week. Then go out there and do what he did was incredible. VJ Payne played 25 snaps as a true freshman. Jacob Parrish played 30 snaps as a true freshman, somewhere in that ballpark. So, it was cool to get a lot of those guys those reps. They're all good."
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