Kansas State University’s football team is gearing up for its matchup against Arizona State on Saturday at 2:45 p.m. (CT) at Mountain America Stadium. This follows their emotional 35-24 victory over rival Kansas, extending their winning streak against the Jayhawks to 18 games.
Head Coach Collin Klein, in his first year leading the Wildcats, acknowledged the significance of the win while emphasizing the need to learn from the game. “We definitely had a moment of celebration,” Klein said during a weekly news conference. “It’s hard to win in college football, and it always has been.” He cited the importance of maintaining focus on improvement, stating, “We have to stop making mistakes in certain situations, because otherwise the payment of that gets harder and higher.”
As the season reaches its midpoint, Klein is pleased with his team’s grit, noting their physical play. “It’s a war out there,” he remarked, referencing the tough nature of the game. He praised players like Gabe Powers for their resilience on the field.
Kansas State, with a current record of 4-2 overall and 1-2 in the Big 12 Conference, has not faced Arizona State since the 1989 season opener, marking this as a significant meeting. The Wildcats trail in the all-time series 1-6 and are winless in five games at Arizona State.
Klein expressed excitement about visiting Mountain America Stadium, stating, “Absolutely,” when asked about looking forward to the venue. He revealed that he had not yet visited the stadium and quipped about its commonality with other fields, saying, “Not much except it’s 100 yards like every other field.”
This game presents K-State with a chance at its first road win under Klein, especially as Arizona State has struggled at home, suffering heavy defeats this season, including a 55-19 loss to Baylor and a 53-25 loss to No. 10 Texas Tech.
Klein noted the improvement shown by the Wildcats in their recent victory over Kansas, stating, “Looking at the film was very motivating… Our guys’ ability to push through the ebbs and flows of the game was something we hadn’t done to date.” He highlighted their offensive performance, where they averaged 35.5 points and 464.6 yards per game, ranking high nationally in rushing yards.
More individual accolades followed the Kansas game, as K-State players received recognition. Kicker Luis Rodriguez was named Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week after successfully completing four field goals, while freshman defensive back Nick McClellan earned the accolade of Big 12 Freshman of the Week for his impactful performance.
Klein also remarked on the impressive sellout crowd of 51,961 during the Kansas game, praising the fans’ enthusiasm and energy. With support strong and team morale high, K-State looks to build on its success against Arizona State this weekend.
