After two years of buildup, Kansas State may finally be getting a real glimpse of what Linkon Cure can become.
The sophomore tight end delivered the first touchdown of his career in Saturday’s loss to Colorado, hauling in a 33-yard score from backup quarterback Blake Barnett. For a player who arrived with more hype than almost anyone in program history, it was a small but notable step forward.
Cure has been a name Wildcats fans have circled since he became the first five-star recruit to sign with the program. This season, he has started to turn that promise into production, with 13 catches for 156 yards and that touchdown. That total already doubles what he put up a year ago.
Kansas State still wants more, and Cure still has room to grow. His first season came with the usual adjustment period, and breaking into the rotation has not been simple with tight end one of the deepest spots on the roster. Garrett Oakley, an NFL prospect and a top target last season, is also part of that group.
Even so, Cure’s skill set gives the Wildcats something different. Though listed at tight end, he plays more like a receiver, bringing size, height and speed that can stretch an offense and add another layer to the passing game.
That kind of development could matter even more once Avery Johnson is back. Johnson has missed the last two games with an undisclosed injury, and Cure’s growing role could make life easier for him and the other skill players when he returns.
Cure, a Goodland, Kans. native, was one of the most sought-after recruits in the 2025 class, with offers from programs including Oregon and Texas A & M.
Kansas State’s broader picture remains rough after the road loss to Colorado. The Wildcats have now dropped two straight and four of their last five, and at 1-4 in the Big 12, they sit at the bottom of the league alongside Colorado and rival Kansas. The goals of reaching the conference title game or the College Football Playoff are gone.
Still, there is at least one reason for optimism. Cure’s first touchdown offered a reminder of why he drew so much attention in the first place, and why Kansas State believes more is coming.
The game will be televised by TNT. This marks the third time the Wildcats will appear on the network. Last week's game against Colorado was also on TNT.
Kansas State has won the last two in the series, winning 14-6 last year in Stillwater.
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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.
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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 🡒]
Kansas State Just Took A Loss Fans Will Hate Hearing About
Kansas States trip to Boulder ended with a result that stings for a team trying to keep its season on track, as Colorado outlasted the Wildcats 27-24 in overtime. The Buffaloes snapped a five-game losing streak in the process, and they did it with a more settled offensive rhythm behind quarterback Isaac Wilson and a productive night from running back Richard Young.
For Kansas State, the frustration is less about one bad bounce than the way a game that was there to be won slipped away late. Colorado coach Deion Sanders pointed to the teams mentality and focus after the victory, which only adds to the sense that the Wildcats ran into a group that was desperate to reset its season and found enough answers to do it. [Read more 🡒]