Rodney Fields is making a strong early push to hold onto the top spot in Kansas State’s backfield.
The Oklahoma State transfer has now topped 100 rushing yards in back-to-back games, and he did it again in Saturday’s 34-7 win over Washington State. Fields carried 13 times for 105 yards and a touchdown, highlighted by a 75-yard burst that turned heads. A week earlier, he opened the season with 101 rushing yards and a score against Nicholls at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
That production matters because Kansas State already made a notable change at running back before the season even began. Senior Joe Jackson was viewed as the incumbent through training camp, but first-year coach Collin Klein made the surprise switch ahead of the opener.
It would also mean the Wildcats have changed starters at the position in back-to-back seasons. Last year, former Wildcats player Dylan Edwards entered as the starter but was eventually passed by Jackson, who went on to rush for more than 900 yards and earn honorable mention All-Big 12 recognition.
Klein has made it clear he likes what he has seen from all three backs, including Oregon transfer Jay Harris, and he has kept every spot open to competition. That leaves room for movement later on.
But right now, Fields has the edge, and he has the carries to prove it. He leads the team in rushing attempts, and that should remain the case as Kansas State heads into a tougher stretch with Tulane next week and then the Big 12 opener against Cincinnati.
Saturday’s game also brought a notable visitor to Manhattan in one of the top quarterback prospects in the country. Titus Huard, rated the 11th-best quarterback nationally, was among the recruits on hand.
Huard is the son of former NFL quarterback Brock Huard, whose career ran from 1999-2004 with the Indianapolis Colts and Seattle Seahawks. The younger Huard plays at Valor (Colo.) Christian and is part of the 2028 class.
He already holds offers from Arkansas, Arizona State, Kansas and Colorado. So far this season, Huard has thrown for 784 yards and seven touchdowns.
As a junior last year, he passed for 1,946 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also brings the kind of frame that gets attention from evaluators: 6-foot-5 and 206 pounds.
In Other News...
Kansas State Just Got A Huge Quarterback Recruiting Opportunity
Kansas States home game against Washington State did more than just add another date to the schedule. It also gave the Wildcats a chance to put their program in front of a promising group of young recruits, including Titus Huard, a four-star quarterback in the 2028 class and the son of former NFL quarterback Brock Huard. Huard already has offers from several universities, and his presence in Manhattan was a reminder that the Wildcats are trying to get in early on one of the more notable quarterbacks in the cycle.
Huard was not the only prospect on hand, either. Grant Nehls and Brady Lawhon were among the other recruits taking in the game, giving Kansas State a little extra opportunity to build relationships while the atmosphere was fresh and the spotlight was on. For a program looking to stay active on the recruiting trail, these kinds of visits matter, especially when a quarterback with Huards profile is part of the crowd. [Read more 🡒]
Former K-State Transfers Are Already Creating One Uncomfortable Debate
Week 2 turned into a familiar kind of reminder for Kansas State fans, with several former Wildcats making their mark in new places. Austin Romaine was everywhere for Texas Tech, piling up nine tackles while playing every snap, and DeVon Rice found the end zone twice for Hawaii, giving both players the kind of immediate impact that transfer-watchers tend to notice right away. Elsewhere, Jayce Brown at LSU and Dylan Edwards at Kansas did not leave much of a statistical footprint, which only sharpened the contrast among the ex-Wildcats scattered around the country.
For Kansas State, the uncomfortable part is less about any single box score and more about what these early returns say about where the talent went and how quickly it is showing up. When one former Wildcat is handling a full workload and another is scoring multiple times almost immediately, it naturally invites a fresh round of comparisons back home, especially as the season settles in and those exits become part of the bigger roster conversation. [Read more 🡒]
Avery Johnson Gave K-State Fans One Big Reason To Worry
Avery Johnson still gave Kansas State plenty to feel good about in a 34-7 win over Washington State, connecting on 22 of 34 passes for 192 yards and three touchdowns while adding 78 rushing yards. On the surface, it was the kind of dual-threat performance the Wildcats have come to expect from their quarterback, and it helped keep control of the game from start to finish.
Even so, the mistakes were hard to ignore. Johnson threw two interceptions, including a pick six, and had trouble converting on a fourth-down attempt, leaving a little more unease than a lopsided score usually allows. Collin Klein praised Johnson's overall play afterward, but the miscues offered a reminder that even in a comfortable win, Kansas State's offense still has some sharp edges to smooth out. [Read more 🡒]