Two Ranked Teams Set to Meet in Orlando

By: D. Scott Fritchen

Fresh off a ranking in the final College Football Playoff Poll for a second straight year, No. 25 Kansas State will face No. 18 NC State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando, Florida, on December 28. It will mark the first-ever meeting between the schools and an opportunity for the Wildcats to finish off another campaign with at least nine victories.

"I know K-State Nation is going to travel in droves and celebrate a great game for our first bowl game in Florida," K-State head coach Chris Klieman said. "I know our players, staff, and fan base are really excited about this opportunity. We'll start getting to work right away in getting prepared for a really good NC State team.

"They're a terrific team. It should be a heck of a game."

K-State, 8-4, won five of its final seven games and will look to bounce back after ending its regular season with a 42-35 home loss to Iowa State.

K-State is one of only 11 Power 5 teams to win at least eight games in each of the past three seasons and is the only current Big 12 team to do so. K-State finished 8-5 in 2021 before going 10-4 and earning the 2022 Big 12 Championship. The Wildcats incurred some excruciatingly tight losses this season. They'll look to put past disappointments aside with a great opportunity in a bowl game.

The Wildcats' 5.25-point average margin of defeat — they lost four games by a total of 21 points — is the smallest among three- and four-loss Power 5 teams.

They'll go forward with a new face under center as true freshman Avery Johnson will make his first-career start at quarterback behind a veteran offensive line that includes Outland Trophy finalist Cooper Beebe. Johnson, the No. 1-rated dual-threat passer in the Class of 2023, saw time in six games while backing up since-departed senior Will Howard.

"Avery will be the guy," Klieman said. "(The bowl game) is kind of a finish of the 2023 season with all the great seniors that are going to be playing in this bowl game, and then also a springboard to the 2024 season with Avery at the helm. We have a lot of skills guys who've been really productive for us, and he's going to get the opportunity to be the guy behind center. I know (offensive coordinator) Collin Klein is really excited to come up with a game plan for Avery. Avery has earned this opportunity and has waited for this opportunity.

"He's played good football when we've asked him to earlier this year, but now it's his show."

The Pop-Tarts Bowl is slated to start at 4:45 p.m. (CT) on Thursday, December 28 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

The Wildcats will face an opponent looking to finish off a memorable season with a monumental victory.

NC State, 9-3, has a chance to win 10 games for the first time since 2002 and for just the second time in school history. The Wolfpack, who finished in the CFP Top 25 for a fourth straight year, closed out their ACC schedule with five straight wins, including upsets against Clemson, Miami and North Carolina in Raleigh.

"It says a lot about the perseverance and the grit of this team and staff and how we came together in a tough time," said NC State head coach Dave Doeren, who is in his ninth season directing the Wolfpack and his 13 year overall as a head coach. "We went through some difficult things in the middle of the season, and it really galvanized our team and brought us closer together. We were able to rattle off five in a row to finish the season, which has only been done one time in 100 years at NC State. I'm very proud of the legacy this team has created for itself and look forward to the opportunity to compete for a 10^th win, which is a monumental thing here at NC State."

This will mark the Wildcats' seventh-ever game in the state of Florida and their first since a 28-24 win at Miami on September 24, 2011. It will also mark their first game against a current ACC member since a 52-13 home victory over Miami in 2012.

"What excites me is getting our team back together on Monday with Coach Tru (Trumain Carroll), our strength coach, while we're on the road recruiting and starting that build up for the bowl game," Klieman said.

Klieman added: "I know the people in Orlando are going to be excited about this matchup because it's two really good football teams and really good programs that are continuing to rise up in the eyes of the ACC and the Big 12. It's going to be a great game."

Kansas State University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Cooper Beebe

Will Howard

Avery Johnson

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