Kansas State is trending toward getting a key piece of its offense back at the right moment.
Tight end Garrett Oakley is expected to return for this week’s road game against the Colorado Buffaloes after sitting out the past two games with an undisclosed illness. His possible comeback comes after Kansas State fell 28-17 to the Arizona State Sun Devils, and it carries extra weight with the quarterback situation still unsettled.
Starter Avery Johnson could miss a second straight game because of injury, while backup Jacob Knuth is also dealing with an ankle injury. That leaves Oakley’s return even more important for a Wildcats offense trying to steady itself.
Oakley has been one of Kansas State’s most reliable receiving threats, and he’s also viewed as one of the team’s top NFL prospects. During the preseason, he drew the most attention from scouts in Manhattan.
His impact has also helped limit opportunities for Linkon Cure, the first five-star recruit in program history. Even with that, the Wildcats coaching staff still sees Cure as the future of the program.
On the quarterback front, Collin Klein said Johnson is listed as day to day for the matchup with Colorado. The Wildcats expect to know more about his status Wednesday afternoon.
Johnson missed last week’s loss to Arizona State, and Knuth filled in impressively despite the defeat. In the 28-17 loss, he completed 26 of 41 passes for 194 yards and a touchdown and also added a rushing score.
Meanwhile, the Kansas State basketball team dropped its exhibition opener Monday in Lincoln, falling 88-84 to Nebraska in what figures to be a patience-testing start to the Casey Alexander era. Brandon Rechsteiner led the Wildcats with 21 points on 8 of 14 shooting, Jaden Schutt scored 16, and Jaylen Alexander finished with 11.
In Other News...
Deion Sanders Adds Intrigue To Kansas State's Biggest Road Test Yet
Deion Sanders added an extra layer to Kansas States biggest road test yet when he singled out both ends of the Wildcats recent coaching story in his weekly press conference. With Colorado preparing to face a Kansas State team led by first-year coach Collin Klein, Sanders acknowledged former Wildcats coach Chris Klieman and also praised the job Klein has done since taking over, a small but notable nod ahead of a matchup that already carries plenty of attention.
Sanders remains one of college footballs most recognizable figures, and his presence on the other sideline only raises the profile of a game that will tell plenty about Kansas States early direction under Klein. For the Wildcats, it is the kind of road test that can reveal how sturdy the transition really is, while Colorado gets another chance to measure itself against a program with a recent winning standard and a new voice trying to keep it in place. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas State Heads To Colorado With A Troubling QB Decision
Kansas State is heading to Colorado with its quarterback situation still in flux, and the Wildcats appear set to turn to a third different starter in as many weeks. Avery Johnson and Jacob Knuth are both dealing with injuries, leaving Blake Barnett as the likely option after being cleared from the injury report. It is a precarious spot for a team already trying to steady itself offensively, and the staff has had to keep its options open as the week unfolds.
Dillon Duff remains a possible choice despite limited college experience, which speaks to how thin the margin is at the position right now. If needed, Joe Jackson is around as an emergency quarterback in the Wildcat formation, giving Kansas State at least one more contingency as it prepares for the trip. For a road game in a tough setting, the uncertainty under center has become one of the biggest questions facing the Wildcats. [Read more 🡒]
Colorado Fans Just Got A More Affordable Path Into Folsom Field
The next Big 12 trip to Folsom Field gives Kansas State fans a chance to circle one of the more interesting road games on the schedule, and this one is drawing plenty of attention because the entry price is not as steep as some might expect. Official tickets for Colorados home matchup with the Wildcats are starting at $88, while secondary-market listings are already showing options around $47, giving travelers and casual fans a wider range of ways to get in the building.
Special game day packages are also available for those looking for a more premium experience, but the real wrinkle is how much the final checkout price can change depending on the platform. For a road game with national buzz and a tricky venue, the practical move is simple: compare the total cost before buying, because the cheapest listed seat is not always the cheapest ticket once fees are added. [Read more 🡒]