Saturday, November 21
Manhattan, Kan.
Kansas State University
vs
Arizona
Nov 09, 2026 | Football
GAME 10
K-State at TCU
Date: Saturday, November 14, 2026
Kickoff: 1 p.m.
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Stadium: Amon G. Carter Stadium
Series: K-State Leads, 11-8
TV: ESPNU (watch)
James Westling (Play-by-Play)
Leger Douzable (Analyst)
K-State Radio: K-State Sports Network; k-statesports.com (Listen)
Wyatt Thompson (Play-by-Play)
Stan Weber (Analyst)
Matt Walters (Sidelines)
SiriusXM Satellite Radio Ch. 268, and on the SiriusXM App
Big 12 Radio on TuneIn
X Updates: @KStateFB and @KStateStatsInfo
CATS TRAVEL TO FORT WORTH FOR AFTERNOON TILT
Kansas State is looking to rebound from three-straight losses as it heads back out on the road on Saturday to face TCU in Fort Worth, Texas. The game will kick at 1 p.m. at Amon Carter Stadium and be shown on ESPNU with James Westling (play-by-play) and Leger Douzable (analyst) on the call, while the K-State Sports Network begins its coverage at 11 a.m. (CT), with Wyatt Thompson (play-by-play), Stan Weber (analyst) and Matt Walters (sidelines) calling the action.
QUA(D)RTERBACK
Kansas State junior quarterback Blake Barnett made his first career start last week against Oklahoma State, marking the first time in school history that four different quarterbacks started a game in four-consecutive games. The 2026 season is the first time since 1997 that four K-State quarterbacks attempted a pass in the same season and just the second time since 1991. K-State is the second Big 12 program in as many years to start four different quarterbacks in four-straight games (West Virginia).
McCLANNAN HAVING BREAKOUT SEASON
Punter Simon McClannan has been outstanding in 2026 as he ranks fourth nationally and tops in the Big 12 Conference with a 48.2-yard average, a mark that is currently atop the K-State record book. A native of Omaha, Nebraska, McClannan also leads the Big 12 Conference with 17 punts that have traveled at least 50 yards – including a Big 12-best five at Colorado – while he is second in the conference with 17 punts that have ended up inside the opponent 20-yard line.
SEVEN FOR SATURDAY
• The Wildcats have started four different quarterbacks in four-consecutive games for the first time in school history.
• K-State is fourth nationally in fewest penalties and 10th in fewest penalty yards.
• Kansas State ranks seventh in the nation by converting on 52% (75-of-117) of its third-down attempts.
• The Cats rank 26th nationally and fourth in the Big 12 with 6.3 tackles for loss per game.
• Garrett Oakley has 15 career receiving touchdowns, tied for the second most among all active tight ends in the country.
• Punter Simon McClannan ranks fourth nationally and is currently tops in school history with a 48.2-yard average this season.
• JoJo Scott is tied for fifth nationally among all freshmen and sophomores with eight pass breakups this season.
TEAM NOTES
RECENT RECAP
• K-State has dropped three-consecutive games following a home loss to Oklahoma State, a 27-24 overtime loss at Colorado and a 28-17 decision at Arizona State. Both road games saw Wildcat quarterbacks turn in gutsy performances at Colorado (Blake Barnett) and Arizona State (Jacob Knuth).
• The three-game losing streak came on the heels of K-State's 18th-straight win over in-state rival Kansas in a 35-24 victory.
• The Wildcats ran for 359 yards against the Jayhawks, which included 159 yards from Joe Jackson and 132 yards from Avery Johnson. It was the most rushing yards in a Big 12 game this season and the ninth most offensive yards in a Big 12 game this season (568).
• It was K-State's fifth-most rushing yards and total offensive yards ever in a Big 12 contest.
NEWCOMERS MAKING AN IMPACT
• Of the 198 available starts on offense and defense this season, 46.9% (93-of-198) are made up of transfers.
• The biggest area in which newcomers are making a difference is sacks and tackles for loss. Of the Wildcats' 19 sacks, 10 (52.6%) are from newcomers, while 48% (27.5) of their 57 tackles for loss are from those new to the program.
• Kansas State's 2026 roster features 58 newcomers, equating to 52.2% of its roster.
• The 58 newcomers on the roster rank seventh in program history. The school record for newcomers in a season is 72 in 2002.
LETTERWINNER TURNED COACH
• Collin Klein, the former Heisman Trophy finalist and starting quarterback of the 2012 Big 12 Championship team, is in his first season as head coach in 2026.
• He is the first former K-State letterwinner to serve as head football coach since Ellis Rainsberger from 1975 through 1977.
• In fact, Klein is one of only four former letterwinners to take the helm of the K-State program as he and Rainsberger are joined by Lud Fiser (1945) and Ralph Graham (1948-50).
THE BIG 12'S BEST
• Kansas State has totaled 150 Big 12 victories since the conference's formation in 1996, which stands as the most among active Big 12 programs.
• The Cats are 14 wins ahead of Oklahoma State (136) and 19 ahead of Texas Tech (131). The Wildcats, Cowboys and Red Raiders are the only three Big 12 teams with over 100 conference wins.
• K-State is also tied for first among active Big 12 members in winning percentage since non-divisional play began in 2011 (minimum 50 games). The Wildcats sit at 57.4% (81-60) – tied with Oklahoma State (57.4%; 81-60) – while TCU is third (54.5%; 72-60).
VERY FEW PENALTIES
• Since 2022 – the year that current head coach Collin Klein took over as offensive coordinator – the Wildcats have averaged only 42.18 penalty yards per game (61 games) to rank seventh among Power 4 teams (min. 50 games).
• K-State enters the week ranked fourth nationally in fewest penalties per game (4.11) and 10th in fewest penalty yards per game (39.00) this season.
THE NATION'S LEADER IN NON-OFFENSIVE TOUCHDOWNS
• K-State leads the country in non-offensive touchdowns over the last 28 seasons as it has 141 since 1999, seven more than the team in second place (Alabama – 134).
• K-State recorded five non-offensive scores in both 2024 and 2025, and they got on the board this year with a Brandon White punt return score against Nicholls. Last week against Oklahoma State, Logan Bartley returned an interception 18 yards for a touchdown. It was K-State's first pick-six of the season and first since Des Purnell returned an interception 25 yards for a score last year against TCU.
A REGULAR IN THE POSTSEASON
• Kansas State has qualified for postseason play in 14 of the last 15 seasons (excluding COVID) as the Wildcats earned a 6-6 record in 2025 but opted to not participate in a bowl game due to the change in coaching staff.
• The Wildcats are one of only 15 Power 4 teams – and the only Big 12 program – to be eligible in 14 of the last 15 seasons, joining Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Iowa, Louisville, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas A&M and Washington.
O CAPTAIN! MY CAPTAIN!
• Prior to the opener, Kansas State announced six team captains for the 2026 season in defensive ends Jordan Allen and Travis Bates, running back Joe Jackson, quarterback Avery Johnson, tight end Garrett Oakley and linebacker Gabe Powers.
• Each of them were voted captains for the first time in their careers except for Johnson, who is now a captain for a third time. He is the ninth player in school history to be named a captain on three occasions and the third quarterback, joining current head coach Collin Klein (2010-12) and Skylar Thompson (2019-21).
OFFENSIVE NOTES
KLEIN'S OFFENSES
• K-State head coach Collin Klein has been one of the top offensive play callers in the nation over the last four-plus seasons.
• Since 2022, Klein's offenses have averaged 33.1 points per game, which is tied for 14th among Power 4 programs.
• Additionally, his last five offenses have combined for 428.2 yards per game, which also ranks 14th among Power 4 teams.
• His teams the last four-plus years have combined for 293 plays of at least 20 or more yards (201 pass/92 rush), good for an average of 4.7 per game.
HIGH POINT TOTAL vs. BIG 12
• When Collin Klein took over the K-State offense in 2022, it began a trend of averaging 31.7 points per game in conference contests, which ranks second in the league. Additionally, the Wildcats rank eighth among Power 4 teams in points per game in conference contests since 2022 (min. 30 games).
• The Cats have hit the 30-point mark in 24 of their 42 Big 12 games since the start of 2022.
• K-State had a four-game streak of scoring at least 30 points last year against UCF (34), Baylor (34), TCU (41) and Kansas (42), its longest streak in conference play since doing so in six-straight games during the 2003 season.
PAVING THE WAY
• Kansas State's offensive line has helped the Wildcats rank 27th nationally in rushing yards per carry (5.19), tied for 14th in runs of 20 or more yards (17), and rank 26th in rushing yards per game (196.8).
FOUR GAMES, FOUR STARTERS
• K-State has had a different starting quarterback in each of the last four games as Avery Johnson started against Kansas, Jacob Knuth started at Arizona State, Dillon Duff started at Colorado and Blake Barnett against Oklahoma State.
• It was the first time in school history the Wildcats had four different starting quarterbacks in four-consecutive games. In 1983, Doug Bogue, Donnie Campbell and Stan Weber each made starts in three-consecutive games.
• Entering the month of October, the Wildcats were one of seven FBS teams this season to start three different quarterbacks in consecutive games (Delaware, Nevada, Oregon, Pittsburgh, Syracuse and UMass).
• Although Barnett did not start at Colorado, he played the final three quarters of the game, engineering a fourth-quarter touchdown drive that forced overtime.
AN EXPERIENCED PLAYER
• Quarterback Avery Johnson is in his third year of starting duties in 2026. He saw a streak of 32-consecutive starts snapped at Arizona State, which tied Josh Freeman (2006-08) for the most consecutive starts at quarterback in school history.
• Johnson has led the Wildcats to 20 wins as a starting quarterback, which ranks sixth in school history. Skylar Thompson (2017-21) holds the top mark with 24, followed by a tie for second with 22 wins by Ell Roberson (2001-03), Michael Bishop (1997-98) and Collin Klein (2010-12), while Johnathan Beasley (1999-2000) led the Wildcats to 21 wins.
• Johnson is one of only two quarterbacks in the Big 12 in 2026 to have started for multiple years at the same school. The other is Noah Fifita, who has made 43 starts over the last three-plus seasons at Arizona.
MULTIPLE 200/100 GAMES
• Avery Johnson has recorded two games this season with at least 200 passing yards and 100 rushing yards as he did so against Tulane (227 pass/152 rush) and Kansas (209 pass/132 rush).
• He is the fourth Wildcat in the Big 12 era to have two such games in one season, joining Michael Bishop (1998), Collin Klein (2012) and Jake Waters (2014).
HIGH AVERAGE FOR A QB
• Avery Johnson has rushed for 462 yards this season on only 51 carries, good for a 9.1-yard average.
• He leads all qualified quarterbacks nationally in rushing average this season and is 3.0 yards per carry better than the next best Power 4 signal caller (South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers).
IN A CLUB ALL BY HIMSELF
• Avery Johnson had a historic effort against Tulane, throwing for 227 yards and rushing for 152 yards with two scores.
• He became the first player in school history, just the 14th in Big 12 history and one of only three players this season (Texas State's Brad Jackson vs. Colorado State and Utah's Devon Dampier vs. Houston) to throw for at least 200 yards and rush for at least 150 yards in a single game.
• Johnson's 379 yards of total offense against the Green Wave tied for the 15th most in school history, while his 152 rushing yards were the 10th most ever by a K-State quarterback.
THE SCHOOL'S ALL-TIME LEADER
• Avery Johnson's first touchdown pass of the season carried significant weight as he broke the school's career record, a mark that now stands at 58. He is the only K-State quarterback with more than 50 touchdown strikes in a career.
• Johnson ranks in the top 10 in program history in multiple career categories (see pages 58-59).
THE FIRST TO 6,500/1,500
• Avery Johnson is the only player in school history to throw for at least 6,500 yards and rush for 1,500 yards, and he is one of only 10 quarterbacks in Big 12 history to reach those two career milestones, including the fourth since 2016.
• He is also one of just eight active players to accomplish the feat, including two from the Big 12 in Texas Tech's Tommy Castellanos and Utah's Devon Dampier.
• Johnson is on the doorstep of reaching 7,000 passing yards and 2,000 rushing yards in his career as he needs 123 yards through the air and 160 yards on the ground to hit those marks.
• He is looking to become fourth player in Big 12 history to hit those two marks as he would join Missouri's Brad Smith (2002-05), Baylor's Robert Griffin III (2008-11) and TCU's Trevone Boykin (2012-15).
ONE OF THE NATION'S BEST TIGHT ENDS
• Senior Garrett Oakley is toward the top of several K-State records among tight ends, and he is one of the best active players at the position in the nation.
• The career record holder for touchdown catches by a tight end with 15, Oakley is tied for second among all active tight ends in the country in career receiving scores.
• The Columbus, Nebraska, native became the fifth tight end in school history to reach 1,000 career receiving yards, hitting the mark at Colorado. He ranks 10th nationally among active tight ends in career receiving yards, and his 91 catches are tied for seventh.
TIBBS ON A ROLL
• Wide receiver Jaron Tibbs leads the team with 45 receptions for 421 yards and four touchdowns.
• The Indianapolis, Indiana, native has averaged 4.38 catches over his 21 games as a Wildcat to rank seventh in school history.
• He recorded receiving touchdowns in three-straight games against Houston, Kansas and Arizona State, becoming the first K-State wide receiver to accomplish the feat since Kade Warner against TCU, Oklahoma State and Texas in 2022.
SALLEY JR. WITH ANOTHER 100-YARD GAME
• Derrick Salley Jr. recorded the second 100-yard game of the season when he hit the century mark with two touchdowns on only three catches last week against Oklahoma State.
• He was the first Wildcat with multiple 100-yard receiving games this season and the first with multiple receiving scores.
• His first touchdown was on a 73-yard pass from Blake Barnett, the Wildcats' longest pass play of the season and the sixth-longest pass play in a Big 12 game this year.
• Salley Jr. enters the week ranked 24th nationally by averaging 18.68 yards on his 22 catches this season.
DEFENSIVE NOTES
TOP-TIER PASS DEFENSE
• Kansas State enters the TCU game owning the nation's 15th-ranked pass defense, allowing only 173.0 yards per game.
• The 173.0 passing yards allowed is the Wildcats' seventh-best mark in the Big 12 era (since 1996).
• K-State opened the season by allowing only 30 passing yards to Nicholls, the fewest since the 2016 Missouri State game (24 yards) and the fewest in a full game since the 2000 Ball State contest (5).
• K-State followed that up by limiting Washington State to only 65 passing yards, marking the first time since the 2000 Ball State and North Texas games the Cats allowed less than 100 passing yards in consecutive games.
BEHIND THE LINE
• The Cats are one of the nation's best teams in terms of tackles for loss, ranking 26th in the country and fourth in the Big 12 with 6.3 TFLs per game (57 total).
• It is the second time in the last three seasons the Wildcats tallied at least 57 tackles for loss through nine game (59 in 2024).
• Defensive end Wendell Gregory ranks 22nd nationally and fourth in the Big 12 with 1.17 tackles for loss per game (10.5 total). Jordan Allen, Jayden Bryant and Darien Whitaker Jr. have also recorded at least 5.0 tackles for loss this year.
LIMITED POINTS PER GAME
• Since the 2021 season (74 games), the Cats are allowing 23.2 points per game, which ranks third among current Big 12 teams and 25th among Power 4 teams (minimum 40 games).
• Since 2019, the Wildcats have held 54 of their 68 Big 12 opponents under their season average at the time it faces the Wildcats (excluding 2025 season opener against Iowa State).
BREAKING UP THE PASS
• Sophomore defensive back JoJo Scott enters the week tied for fourth in the Big 12 with eight pass breakups this season, a mark that is tied for fifth nationally among freshmen or sophomores.
• A native of Lakeland, Florida, Scott has had seven pass breakups over a four-game stretch, knocking away two passes apiece against Houston, Kansas and Arizona State before tallying another one at Colorado.
• He was the first Wildcat with at least seven pass breakups in a four-game span since Duke Shelley had eight over the first four games of the 2018 season.
A SUCCESSFUL FIRST START
• Freshman defensive back Nick McClellan made his first-career start against Kansas a successful one as he recorded three tackles – two of which went for a loss of 14 yards – forced a fumble on a punt attempt that resulted in a safety and broke up a pass with 1:15 remaining as the Jayhawks were in K-State territory trying to cut into an 11-point deficit.
• A native of St. Louis, Missouri, McClellan was honored for his play against the Jayhawks as he was named the Big 12 Freshman of the Week.
IMPACT ON THE EDGE
• Defensive end Wendell Gregory enters the week ranked 22nd in the nation and fourth in the Big 12 with 1.17 tackles for loss per game (10.5 total TFLs).
• The 2025 Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year, Gregory has recorded 0.98 TFLs per game over his 23-game career to rank eighth nationally among active players.
SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES
SCORING IN THE THIRD PHASE
• A big part of K-State's non-offensive touchdown success comes from special teams as the Wildcats lead the nation in total kickoff- and punt-return touchdowns since 2005 with 64.
• That mark is 24 more than the second-best teams in Alabama and San Diego State (40) and 30 more than the closest Big 12 programs, Oklahoma State and TCU (34).
• Of the 64 total returns, a nation-leading 32 are on kickoff returns, which are nine more than the second-best team (San Diego State).
19 AND COUNTING
• K-State has blocked at least one punt, field goal or extra point every year since 2008, which includes the 2026 season after Jordan Allen blocked a Washington State field goal attempt.
• The Wildcats were one of five FBS teams entering 2026 to have blocked at least one punt, field goal or extra point every year since 2008, joining Boise State, Indiana, Marshall and Texas A&M. K-State, Boise State and Marshall have each extended its streaks this season.
EIGHT STRAIGHT
• The Wildcats entered the 2026 season having blocked at least one punt in eight-straight seasons, which is the longest streak in the nation and the longest by K-State since at least the 1970s.
• Toledo and Michigan are second on the list by blocking a punt each of the last six years, which includes 2026.
McCLANNAN'S HIGH AVERAGE
• Punter Simon McClannan has been outstanding in 2026 as he ranks fourth nationally with a 48.2-yard average, a mark that is currently first in school history.
• A native of Omaha, Nebraska, McClannan posted a career-best 53.67-yard average at Colorado, which was the third-best mark in school history and the eighth-best nationally this season (minimum four attempts).
• It is not just the high average that has allowed McClannan to be one of the best punters in the nation. He also leads the Big 12 with 17 punts that have traveled at least 50 yards – including a Big 12-best five at Colorado – while he is second in the conference with 17 punts that have ended up inside the opponent 20-yard line.
• McClannan holds a 43.95-yard average over his 129 career punts, which ranks second in K-State history and 16th nationally among active players.
HITTING THE MARK
• Place kicker Luis Rodriguez ranks second in school history with an 86.2% (25-of-29) conversion rate on field goals, just 0.2% behind Matthew McCrane's school record of 86.4% from 2014 through 2017.
• Among active kickers who have attempted at least 25 career attempts, Rodriguez ranks ninth nationally in career field goal percentage.
4-FOR-4
• Luis Rodriguez was successful on all four of his field goal attempts and each of his three extra point attempts in K-State's 11-point victory over Kansas as he went on to earn Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
• His four made field goals tied for the second most in a Big 12 game this season, tied for 10th most in the nation and tied for the second most in a game in school history.
• A native of Slymar, California, Rodriguez ranks 40th nationally in with 1.33 made field goals per game.
K-State at TCU
Date: Saturday, November 14, 2026
Kickoff: 1 p.m.
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Stadium: Amon G. Carter Stadium
Series: K-State Leads, 11-8
TV: ESPNU (watch)
James Westling (Play-by-Play)
Leger Douzable (Analyst)
K-State Radio: K-State Sports Network; k-statesports.com (Listen)
Wyatt Thompson (Play-by-Play)
Stan Weber (Analyst)
Matt Walters (Sidelines)
SiriusXM Satellite Radio Ch. 268, and on the SiriusXM App
Big 12 Radio on TuneIn
X Updates: @KStateFB and @KStateStatsInfo
CATS TRAVEL TO FORT WORTH FOR AFTERNOON TILT
Kansas State is looking to rebound from three-straight losses as it heads back out on the road on Saturday to face TCU in Fort Worth, Texas. The game will kick at 1 p.m. at Amon Carter Stadium and be shown on ESPNU with James Westling (play-by-play) and Leger Douzable (analyst) on the call, while the K-State Sports Network begins its coverage at 11 a.m. (CT), with Wyatt Thompson (play-by-play), Stan Weber (analyst) and Matt Walters (sidelines) calling the action.
QUA(D)RTERBACK
Kansas State junior quarterback Blake Barnett made his first career start last week against Oklahoma State, marking the first time in school history that four different quarterbacks started a game in four-consecutive games. The 2026 season is the first time since 1997 that four K-State quarterbacks attempted a pass in the same season and just the second time since 1991. K-State is the second Big 12 program in as many years to start four different quarterbacks in four-straight games (West Virginia).
McCLANNAN HAVING BREAKOUT SEASON
Punter Simon McClannan has been outstanding in 2026 as he ranks fourth nationally and tops in the Big 12 Conference with a 48.2-yard average, a mark that is currently atop the K-State record book. A native of Omaha, Nebraska, McClannan also leads the Big 12 Conference with 17 punts that have traveled at least 50 yards – including a Big 12-best five at Colorado – while he is second in the conference with 17 punts that have ended up inside the opponent 20-yard line.
SEVEN FOR SATURDAY
• The Wildcats have started four different quarterbacks in four-consecutive games for the first time in school history.
• K-State is fourth nationally in fewest penalties and 10th in fewest penalty yards.
• Kansas State ranks seventh in the nation by converting on 52% (75-of-117) of its third-down attempts.
• The Cats rank 26th nationally and fourth in the Big 12 with 6.3 tackles for loss per game.
• Garrett Oakley has 15 career receiving touchdowns, tied for the second most among all active tight ends in the country.
• Punter Simon McClannan ranks fourth nationally and is currently tops in school history with a 48.2-yard average this season.
• JoJo Scott is tied for fifth nationally among all freshmen and sophomores with eight pass breakups this season.
TEAM NOTES
RECENT RECAP
• K-State has dropped three-consecutive games following a home loss to Oklahoma State, a 27-24 overtime loss at Colorado and a 28-17 decision at Arizona State. Both road games saw Wildcat quarterbacks turn in gutsy performances at Colorado (Blake Barnett) and Arizona State (Jacob Knuth).
• The three-game losing streak came on the heels of K-State's 18th-straight win over in-state rival Kansas in a 35-24 victory.
• The Wildcats ran for 359 yards against the Jayhawks, which included 159 yards from Joe Jackson and 132 yards from Avery Johnson. It was the most rushing yards in a Big 12 game this season and the ninth most offensive yards in a Big 12 game this season (568).
• It was K-State's fifth-most rushing yards and total offensive yards ever in a Big 12 contest.
NEWCOMERS MAKING AN IMPACT
• Of the 198 available starts on offense and defense this season, 46.9% (93-of-198) are made up of transfers.
• The biggest area in which newcomers are making a difference is sacks and tackles for loss. Of the Wildcats' 19 sacks, 10 (52.6%) are from newcomers, while 48% (27.5) of their 57 tackles for loss are from those new to the program.
• Kansas State's 2026 roster features 58 newcomers, equating to 52.2% of its roster.
• The 58 newcomers on the roster rank seventh in program history. The school record for newcomers in a season is 72 in 2002.
LETTERWINNER TURNED COACH
• Collin Klein, the former Heisman Trophy finalist and starting quarterback of the 2012 Big 12 Championship team, is in his first season as head coach in 2026.
• He is the first former K-State letterwinner to serve as head football coach since Ellis Rainsberger from 1975 through 1977.
• In fact, Klein is one of only four former letterwinners to take the helm of the K-State program as he and Rainsberger are joined by Lud Fiser (1945) and Ralph Graham (1948-50).
THE BIG 12'S BEST
• Kansas State has totaled 150 Big 12 victories since the conference's formation in 1996, which stands as the most among active Big 12 programs.
• The Cats are 14 wins ahead of Oklahoma State (136) and 19 ahead of Texas Tech (131). The Wildcats, Cowboys and Red Raiders are the only three Big 12 teams with over 100 conference wins.
• K-State is also tied for first among active Big 12 members in winning percentage since non-divisional play began in 2011 (minimum 50 games). The Wildcats sit at 57.4% (81-60) – tied with Oklahoma State (57.4%; 81-60) – while TCU is third (54.5%; 72-60).
VERY FEW PENALTIES
• Since 2022 – the year that current head coach Collin Klein took over as offensive coordinator – the Wildcats have averaged only 42.18 penalty yards per game (61 games) to rank seventh among Power 4 teams (min. 50 games).
• K-State enters the week ranked fourth nationally in fewest penalties per game (4.11) and 10th in fewest penalty yards per game (39.00) this season.
THE NATION'S LEADER IN NON-OFFENSIVE TOUCHDOWNS
• K-State leads the country in non-offensive touchdowns over the last 28 seasons as it has 141 since 1999, seven more than the team in second place (Alabama – 134).
• K-State recorded five non-offensive scores in both 2024 and 2025, and they got on the board this year with a Brandon White punt return score against Nicholls. Last week against Oklahoma State, Logan Bartley returned an interception 18 yards for a touchdown. It was K-State's first pick-six of the season and first since Des Purnell returned an interception 25 yards for a score last year against TCU.
A REGULAR IN THE POSTSEASON
• Kansas State has qualified for postseason play in 14 of the last 15 seasons (excluding COVID) as the Wildcats earned a 6-6 record in 2025 but opted to not participate in a bowl game due to the change in coaching staff.
• The Wildcats are one of only 15 Power 4 teams – and the only Big 12 program – to be eligible in 14 of the last 15 seasons, joining Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Iowa, Louisville, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas A&M and Washington.
O CAPTAIN! MY CAPTAIN!
• Prior to the opener, Kansas State announced six team captains for the 2026 season in defensive ends Jordan Allen and Travis Bates, running back Joe Jackson, quarterback Avery Johnson, tight end Garrett Oakley and linebacker Gabe Powers.
• Each of them were voted captains for the first time in their careers except for Johnson, who is now a captain for a third time. He is the ninth player in school history to be named a captain on three occasions and the third quarterback, joining current head coach Collin Klein (2010-12) and Skylar Thompson (2019-21).
OFFENSIVE NOTES
KLEIN'S OFFENSES
• K-State head coach Collin Klein has been one of the top offensive play callers in the nation over the last four-plus seasons.
• Since 2022, Klein's offenses have averaged 33.1 points per game, which is tied for 14th among Power 4 programs.
• Additionally, his last five offenses have combined for 428.2 yards per game, which also ranks 14th among Power 4 teams.
• His teams the last four-plus years have combined for 293 plays of at least 20 or more yards (201 pass/92 rush), good for an average of 4.7 per game.
HIGH POINT TOTAL vs. BIG 12
• When Collin Klein took over the K-State offense in 2022, it began a trend of averaging 31.7 points per game in conference contests, which ranks second in the league. Additionally, the Wildcats rank eighth among Power 4 teams in points per game in conference contests since 2022 (min. 30 games).
• The Cats have hit the 30-point mark in 24 of their 42 Big 12 games since the start of 2022.
• K-State had a four-game streak of scoring at least 30 points last year against UCF (34), Baylor (34), TCU (41) and Kansas (42), its longest streak in conference play since doing so in six-straight games during the 2003 season.
PAVING THE WAY
• Kansas State's offensive line has helped the Wildcats rank 27th nationally in rushing yards per carry (5.19), tied for 14th in runs of 20 or more yards (17), and rank 26th in rushing yards per game (196.8).
FOUR GAMES, FOUR STARTERS
• K-State has had a different starting quarterback in each of the last four games as Avery Johnson started against Kansas, Jacob Knuth started at Arizona State, Dillon Duff started at Colorado and Blake Barnett against Oklahoma State.
• It was the first time in school history the Wildcats had four different starting quarterbacks in four-consecutive games. In 1983, Doug Bogue, Donnie Campbell and Stan Weber each made starts in three-consecutive games.
• Entering the month of October, the Wildcats were one of seven FBS teams this season to start three different quarterbacks in consecutive games (Delaware, Nevada, Oregon, Pittsburgh, Syracuse and UMass).
• Although Barnett did not start at Colorado, he played the final three quarters of the game, engineering a fourth-quarter touchdown drive that forced overtime.
AN EXPERIENCED PLAYER
• Quarterback Avery Johnson is in his third year of starting duties in 2026. He saw a streak of 32-consecutive starts snapped at Arizona State, which tied Josh Freeman (2006-08) for the most consecutive starts at quarterback in school history.
• Johnson has led the Wildcats to 20 wins as a starting quarterback, which ranks sixth in school history. Skylar Thompson (2017-21) holds the top mark with 24, followed by a tie for second with 22 wins by Ell Roberson (2001-03), Michael Bishop (1997-98) and Collin Klein (2010-12), while Johnathan Beasley (1999-2000) led the Wildcats to 21 wins.
• Johnson is one of only two quarterbacks in the Big 12 in 2026 to have started for multiple years at the same school. The other is Noah Fifita, who has made 43 starts over the last three-plus seasons at Arizona.
MULTIPLE 200/100 GAMES
• Avery Johnson has recorded two games this season with at least 200 passing yards and 100 rushing yards as he did so against Tulane (227 pass/152 rush) and Kansas (209 pass/132 rush).
• He is the fourth Wildcat in the Big 12 era to have two such games in one season, joining Michael Bishop (1998), Collin Klein (2012) and Jake Waters (2014).
HIGH AVERAGE FOR A QB
• Avery Johnson has rushed for 462 yards this season on only 51 carries, good for a 9.1-yard average.
• He leads all qualified quarterbacks nationally in rushing average this season and is 3.0 yards per carry better than the next best Power 4 signal caller (South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers).
IN A CLUB ALL BY HIMSELF
• Avery Johnson had a historic effort against Tulane, throwing for 227 yards and rushing for 152 yards with two scores.
• He became the first player in school history, just the 14th in Big 12 history and one of only three players this season (Texas State's Brad Jackson vs. Colorado State and Utah's Devon Dampier vs. Houston) to throw for at least 200 yards and rush for at least 150 yards in a single game.
• Johnson's 379 yards of total offense against the Green Wave tied for the 15th most in school history, while his 152 rushing yards were the 10th most ever by a K-State quarterback.
THE SCHOOL'S ALL-TIME LEADER
• Avery Johnson's first touchdown pass of the season carried significant weight as he broke the school's career record, a mark that now stands at 58. He is the only K-State quarterback with more than 50 touchdown strikes in a career.
• Johnson ranks in the top 10 in program history in multiple career categories (see pages 58-59).
THE FIRST TO 6,500/1,500
• Avery Johnson is the only player in school history to throw for at least 6,500 yards and rush for 1,500 yards, and he is one of only 10 quarterbacks in Big 12 history to reach those two career milestones, including the fourth since 2016.
• He is also one of just eight active players to accomplish the feat, including two from the Big 12 in Texas Tech's Tommy Castellanos and Utah's Devon Dampier.
• Johnson is on the doorstep of reaching 7,000 passing yards and 2,000 rushing yards in his career as he needs 123 yards through the air and 160 yards on the ground to hit those marks.
• He is looking to become fourth player in Big 12 history to hit those two marks as he would join Missouri's Brad Smith (2002-05), Baylor's Robert Griffin III (2008-11) and TCU's Trevone Boykin (2012-15).
ONE OF THE NATION'S BEST TIGHT ENDS
• Senior Garrett Oakley is toward the top of several K-State records among tight ends, and he is one of the best active players at the position in the nation.
• The career record holder for touchdown catches by a tight end with 15, Oakley is tied for second among all active tight ends in the country in career receiving scores.
• The Columbus, Nebraska, native became the fifth tight end in school history to reach 1,000 career receiving yards, hitting the mark at Colorado. He ranks 10th nationally among active tight ends in career receiving yards, and his 91 catches are tied for seventh.
TIBBS ON A ROLL
• Wide receiver Jaron Tibbs leads the team with 45 receptions for 421 yards and four touchdowns.
• The Indianapolis, Indiana, native has averaged 4.38 catches over his 21 games as a Wildcat to rank seventh in school history.
• He recorded receiving touchdowns in three-straight games against Houston, Kansas and Arizona State, becoming the first K-State wide receiver to accomplish the feat since Kade Warner against TCU, Oklahoma State and Texas in 2022.
SALLEY JR. WITH ANOTHER 100-YARD GAME
• Derrick Salley Jr. recorded the second 100-yard game of the season when he hit the century mark with two touchdowns on only three catches last week against Oklahoma State.
• He was the first Wildcat with multiple 100-yard receiving games this season and the first with multiple receiving scores.
• His first touchdown was on a 73-yard pass from Blake Barnett, the Wildcats' longest pass play of the season and the sixth-longest pass play in a Big 12 game this year.
• Salley Jr. enters the week ranked 24th nationally by averaging 18.68 yards on his 22 catches this season.
DEFENSIVE NOTES
TOP-TIER PASS DEFENSE
• Kansas State enters the TCU game owning the nation's 15th-ranked pass defense, allowing only 173.0 yards per game.
• The 173.0 passing yards allowed is the Wildcats' seventh-best mark in the Big 12 era (since 1996).
• K-State opened the season by allowing only 30 passing yards to Nicholls, the fewest since the 2016 Missouri State game (24 yards) and the fewest in a full game since the 2000 Ball State contest (5).
• K-State followed that up by limiting Washington State to only 65 passing yards, marking the first time since the 2000 Ball State and North Texas games the Cats allowed less than 100 passing yards in consecutive games.
BEHIND THE LINE
• The Cats are one of the nation's best teams in terms of tackles for loss, ranking 26th in the country and fourth in the Big 12 with 6.3 TFLs per game (57 total).
• It is the second time in the last three seasons the Wildcats tallied at least 57 tackles for loss through nine game (59 in 2024).
• Defensive end Wendell Gregory ranks 22nd nationally and fourth in the Big 12 with 1.17 tackles for loss per game (10.5 total). Jordan Allen, Jayden Bryant and Darien Whitaker Jr. have also recorded at least 5.0 tackles for loss this year.
LIMITED POINTS PER GAME
• Since the 2021 season (74 games), the Cats are allowing 23.2 points per game, which ranks third among current Big 12 teams and 25th among Power 4 teams (minimum 40 games).
• Since 2019, the Wildcats have held 54 of their 68 Big 12 opponents under their season average at the time it faces the Wildcats (excluding 2025 season opener against Iowa State).
BREAKING UP THE PASS
• Sophomore defensive back JoJo Scott enters the week tied for fourth in the Big 12 with eight pass breakups this season, a mark that is tied for fifth nationally among freshmen or sophomores.
• A native of Lakeland, Florida, Scott has had seven pass breakups over a four-game stretch, knocking away two passes apiece against Houston, Kansas and Arizona State before tallying another one at Colorado.
• He was the first Wildcat with at least seven pass breakups in a four-game span since Duke Shelley had eight over the first four games of the 2018 season.
A SUCCESSFUL FIRST START
• Freshman defensive back Nick McClellan made his first-career start against Kansas a successful one as he recorded three tackles – two of which went for a loss of 14 yards – forced a fumble on a punt attempt that resulted in a safety and broke up a pass with 1:15 remaining as the Jayhawks were in K-State territory trying to cut into an 11-point deficit.
• A native of St. Louis, Missouri, McClellan was honored for his play against the Jayhawks as he was named the Big 12 Freshman of the Week.
IMPACT ON THE EDGE
• Defensive end Wendell Gregory enters the week ranked 22nd in the nation and fourth in the Big 12 with 1.17 tackles for loss per game (10.5 total TFLs).
• The 2025 Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year, Gregory has recorded 0.98 TFLs per game over his 23-game career to rank eighth nationally among active players.
SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES
SCORING IN THE THIRD PHASE
• A big part of K-State's non-offensive touchdown success comes from special teams as the Wildcats lead the nation in total kickoff- and punt-return touchdowns since 2005 with 64.
• That mark is 24 more than the second-best teams in Alabama and San Diego State (40) and 30 more than the closest Big 12 programs, Oklahoma State and TCU (34).
• Of the 64 total returns, a nation-leading 32 are on kickoff returns, which are nine more than the second-best team (San Diego State).
19 AND COUNTING
• K-State has blocked at least one punt, field goal or extra point every year since 2008, which includes the 2026 season after Jordan Allen blocked a Washington State field goal attempt.
• The Wildcats were one of five FBS teams entering 2026 to have blocked at least one punt, field goal or extra point every year since 2008, joining Boise State, Indiana, Marshall and Texas A&M. K-State, Boise State and Marshall have each extended its streaks this season.
EIGHT STRAIGHT
• The Wildcats entered the 2026 season having blocked at least one punt in eight-straight seasons, which is the longest streak in the nation and the longest by K-State since at least the 1970s.
• Toledo and Michigan are second on the list by blocking a punt each of the last six years, which includes 2026.
McCLANNAN'S HIGH AVERAGE
• Punter Simon McClannan has been outstanding in 2026 as he ranks fourth nationally with a 48.2-yard average, a mark that is currently first in school history.
• A native of Omaha, Nebraska, McClannan posted a career-best 53.67-yard average at Colorado, which was the third-best mark in school history and the eighth-best nationally this season (minimum four attempts).
• It is not just the high average that has allowed McClannan to be one of the best punters in the nation. He also leads the Big 12 with 17 punts that have traveled at least 50 yards – including a Big 12-best five at Colorado – while he is second in the conference with 17 punts that have ended up inside the opponent 20-yard line.
• McClannan holds a 43.95-yard average over his 129 career punts, which ranks second in K-State history and 16th nationally among active players.
HITTING THE MARK
• Place kicker Luis Rodriguez ranks second in school history with an 86.2% (25-of-29) conversion rate on field goals, just 0.2% behind Matthew McCrane's school record of 86.4% from 2014 through 2017.
• Among active kickers who have attempted at least 25 career attempts, Rodriguez ranks ninth nationally in career field goal percentage.
4-FOR-4
• Luis Rodriguez was successful on all four of his field goal attempts and each of his three extra point attempts in K-State's 11-point victory over Kansas as he went on to earn Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
• His four made field goals tied for the second most in a Big 12 game this season, tied for 10th most in the nation and tied for the second most in a game in school history.
• A native of Slymar, California, Rodriguez ranks 40th nationally in with 1.33 made field goals per game.
– k-statesports.com –
How to follow the Cats: For complete information on K-State Football, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.
How to follow the Cats: For complete information on K-State Football, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.
Players Mentioned
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/ FootballMonday, November 09
Saturday, November 07
Saturday, November 07
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