Kansas State’s defense is spending the week zeroed in on one of the most important pieces of Washington State’s offense: quarterback Caden Pinnick.
Wildcats coach Collin Klein made it clear on Monday that Pinnick is getting plenty of attention in the game plan ahead of Saturday’s matchup at Bill Snyder Family Stadium, where kickoff is set for 11 a.m. Klein, a former standout quarterback himself at Kansas State, said Pinnick’s ability to absorb contact and keep producing stands out.
"I think he's incredibly tough," Klein said. "That was a physical game yesterday afternoon just watching it on TV.
He stood in there at times and made some big-time plays throwing the ball, getting hit under duress, and how he put the offense on his back and a couple of those drives to put the game in contest there early in the second half. I think he's a really, really good football player, and we have to have a good plan for him."
Pinnick is coming off a rough outing in Washington State’s loss to rival Washington. He finished 16 of 25 for 142 yards, with no touchdowns and two interceptions.
Even so, Kansas State is treating him like a serious threat, and for good reason. Last season, Pinnick threw for 3,206 yards with 32 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while adding 437 rushing yards and three more scores.
That kind of production is part of why this game matters as a measuring stick for the Wildcats. Klein said Pinnick’s talent level is comparable to the quarterbacks Kansas State will face once Big 12 play begins, making this a useful early test.
Klein also provided an update on linebacker Mekhi Mason, who left Saturday’s win over Nicholls with an unknown lower body injury. The outlook appears better than it first seemed.
"I don't think it's going to be as bad as what was maybe initially thought," Klein said. "So, very, very positive on that front."
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