Kansas State may have to keep rolling without Avery Johnson, but Collin Klein isn’t sounding worried about what comes next.
The Wildcats are facing the possibility of a third straight game without their starting quarterback, who has been sidelined since an injury suffered sometime after the Oct. 17 win over Kansas in the Sunflower Showdown. Johnson had been the steadying force at the position for three seasons, so his absence has changed the feel of the offense. Still, Klein says backup Blake Barnett has shown enough to keep the Wildcats in the fight if Johnson can’t go Saturday against Oklahoma State at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
Barnett’s latest showing came in Colorado, where he entered after Dillon Duff struggled early. Klein said Barnett was in "attack mode" when came on in relief of Dillon Duff last Saturday in the first quarter on the road against the Colorado Buffaloes. Kansas State came up short in a 27-24 overtime loss, but Barnett did his part.
He finished 18 of 28 for 224 yards and three touchdowns, a line that stood out even more because he was working his way back from injury and had not practiced much. Klein called it a "gutsy" performance.
Barnett also brought a calm presence to a situation that was far from ideal. Duff, a sophomore making his first collegiate appearance, completed his only pass for three yards before the offense stalled. Once Klein decided enough was enough, Barnett stepped in and immediately changed the tone.
His first touchdown came on a 28-yard strike to Josh Manning in the second quarter to tie the game at 7. Later, he found Linkon Cure on a 33-yard touchdown in the third quarter, pulling Kansas State even again at 14-14. It was the first touchdown for Cure, who is developing into one of the Wildcats top receivers.
Johnson remains the preferred option, of course. Kansas State has grown used to him leading the way, and he’s stayed with the program through the modern NIL era while plenty of players have chased other opportunities. But if he can’t return this week, the Wildcats at least know Barnett can keep the offense afloat.
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Kansas State Suddenly Has A Bigger Problem Than One Tough Loss
Kansas States overtime loss to Colorado did more than sting in the standings. It also exposed how thin the margin can be when a team is trying to survive a rough patch while already staring at major roster turnover, with key defensive lapses helping turn a winnable game into a frustrating finish. For a program that has leaned on continuity, the bigger concern may be how much of that foundation is about to change.
Collin Kleins decision to start sophomore quarterback Dillon Duff added another layer to the night, and Duffs early struggles forced Blake Barnett into the game. Barnett nearly pulled off a comeback, which only sharpened the sense that Kansas State is searching for answers in real time while also preparing for a potential rebuild as many players run out of eligibility and a new crop of recruits waits in the wings. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas State May Have Found The Spark Its Offense Needed
Kansas State has been searching for any kind of lift on offense as it tries to climb out of a 1-4 Big 12 start, and a recent game against Colorado offered a small but meaningful sign. Tight end Linkon Cure scored his first career touchdown on a 33-yard catch from backup quarterback Blake Barnett, a play that stood out not just because it reached the end zone, but because it came from a player who has been showing steady growth this season.
Cures role has expanded with more receptions and more yards, and that kind of development matters for an offense still looking for reliable answers. The Wildcats need more than one bright moment to change their conference trajectory, but a young tight end finding his footing gives them something to build on as the season moves forward. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas State Has A Stretch Run Problem Fans Can't Ignore
Colorados 27-24 overtime win over Kansas State on October 31 was the kind of late-season result that can linger, especially for a team trying to steady itself for the stretch run. The Buffaloes got a big lift from running back Richard Young, who handled 24 carries for 120 yards and two touchdowns, while edge rusher Yamil Talib made his presence felt with two sacks and eight tackles.
For Kansas State, the loss was another reminder that tight games are getting harder to finish cleanly when the margin shrinks in November. Colorado coach Deion Sanders singled out Youngs readiness and steady practice habits afterward, and Talibs emergence added another layer to a defense that has been finding impact plays at key moments. [Read more 🡒]