Spending Time with Their Second Family

By: D. Scott Fritchen

Hadley Panzer has seen the photos. The Kansas State junior right guard knows that the 70-degree temperatures here in Orlando, Florida are vastly different than the weather 1,615 miles north back home in Lakin, Kansas. He half-grins.

"It's been a lot of fun being out here in Orlando," he says. "Obviously, the weather here is a little different than back home. It's snowing. It's nice here, though."

Sophomore linebacker Desmond Purnell, a Topeka native, stands in shorts at the Fun Spot America Theme Park shortly before practice on Tuesday. He, too, knows about the weather back home. Aside from daily practice ahead of Thursday's Pop-Tarts Bowl, he is enjoying warm temperatures. And a larger cause.

On Tuesday morning, K-State players were paired with children from the West Lakes neighborhoods near Camping World Stadium for a few hours of roller coasters, go-karts and more.

Judging from Purnell's smile, it was a thrilling success.

"Hanging out with these kids, we really enjoy it," he says. "It's amazing. The commissioner of the Pop-Tarts Bowl talked to us about the surrounding area and how big of an impact this is to the kids around us. Spending time with them, I know it's going to bring joy to their day."

Purnell, Panzer and the 25^th-ranked Wildcats, 8-4, will look to bring joy to their Thursday if they can defeat No. 18 NC State, 9-3, in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at 4:45 p.m. CT at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.

"We're going to finish what we started," Panzer says, "and enjoy this last one."

This is what it's all about, warm weather, a couple rollercoaster rides and bowl practice for two Kansas natives eager to help their team succeed one last time in this 2023 season.

For Panzer, that means playing one final game with senior offensive linemen Hayden Gillum, Christian Duffie, KT Leveston and Consensus All-American Cooper Beebe. The 6-foot-4, 303-pound Panzer has started each of the last 25 games at right guard dating back to the second game of the 2022 season. He is the youngest of the crew.

"I'm going to take it all in," Panzer says. "The time is limited with these guys, with my brothers, who took me underneath their wing when I was a freshman. I've spent a lot of time with them. I'm excited for it, and I'm going to soak it all in."

Purnell came to K-State as a high school safety turned linebacker, where he has made a sizable impact.

The 5-foot-11, 224-pound Purnell is an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention selection who has 47 tackles, including 3.5 tackles for a loss and 0.5 sacks to go along with one interception, five passes defended, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He ranks 16^th nationally in forced fumbles and 17^th in fumble recoveries. He has forced a fumble in each of the last two games against Kansas and Iowa State.

"There have been ups and downs like in the previous years, but I've just stayed focused and have attacked each day of preparation," Purnell says. "My coaches have been teaching me and the strength staff has built my body to where it is now."

Both players take turns briefly speaking to reporters at Fun Spot America Theme Park. Panzer glances at the Pop-Tarts Bowl Trophy, which is built unique as two real frosted strawberry Pop-Tarts jet up from atop the silver football at the top of the trophy.

"I saw the trophy, but I was more looking at the Pop-Tarts up there," Panzer says. "They're strawberry, but I'm more blueberry."

K-State players will likely get their chance to switch up Pop-Tart flavors in Manhattan if things work out on Thursday.

"We're keeping our minds straight and our goals in front of us and just attacking each day," Purnell says. "I might've been away from my family on Christmas, but this is my second family. These are all my brothers. This is fantastic."

Kansas State University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Cooper Beebe

Christian Duffie

Hayden Gillum

KT Leveston

Hadley Panzer

Desmond Purnell

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