No. 14 Kansas State and No. 20 Arizona battle in a key Big 12 matchup Friday night in Manhattan, Kan.
The matchup was set up before Arizona and three others from the Pac-12 joined the Big 12 this season. The programs decided to keep the game scheduled as an intriguing cat fight as a welcome to the 16-team Big 12 for Arizona.
Kansas State (2-0) rallied from a 10-point halftime deficit at Tulane on Saturday to record a 34-27 win. The Wildcats scored the winning points on a 60-yard fumble return midway through the fourth quarter.
“That would be terrible for me to say — or anybody to say — âWait, you guys don’t look pretty good,'” Kansas State coach Chris Klieman said. “We beat a good football team. One thing I learned that I wasn’t sure of is that we have really good leadership. Our culture won that game with those older kids and leaders, in particular stepping up at halftime.”
Arizona also is 2-0 but not without concerns. The Wildcats gave up 39 points to New Mexico in the opener and then struggled offensively in a 22-10 victory over FBS opponent Northern Arizona last weekend.
Arizona was without two starting offensive linemen against the Lumberjacks, including veteran center Josh Baker. Coach Brent Brennan said Monday he was unsure if the senior would return against Kansas State.
The patchwork offensive line led to more defensive pressure on quarterback Noah Fifita, who passed for 173 yards after connecting for 422 yards in the opener. Much of that first-game yardage went to Tetairoa McMillan, who had 10 catches for 304 yards and four touchdowns against New Mexico, but he followed up with only two receptions for 11 yards against NAU.
Arizona also might be without starting running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who was held out last week due to potential eligibility issues. His status was unknown as of Monday, Brennan said.
Arizona was 0-for-10 on third downs last Saturday.
“A couple of missed throws, missed opportunities. That part was really, really frustrating,” Brennan said. “In some situations, you kind of press. We just have to relax and let the game come to us.”
Kansas State presents problems offensively with running back DJ Giddens (32 carries, 238 yards) and talented backup Dylan Edwards, a transfer from Colorado who is averaging 10.8 yards on his nine carries. Giddens is the team’s leading pass-catcher with seven receptions for 69 yards and a touchdown.
Quarterback Avery Johnson has yet to be fully unleashed as a runner this season, with 77 yards on 11 attempts. He has completed 29 of 44 passes for 334 yards with four touchdowns and one interception.
Klieman said he has been impressed with Johnson’s ability to extend plays while keeping his eyes downfield and not just taking off running.
“He’s evolving,” Klieman said. “I think he got better and better, and I think he’s getting more and more comfortable as a quarterback by playing every down. … I’m excited because the kid’s a competitor, he’s a winner.”
Brennan’s team struggled to contain dual-threat New Mexico quarterback Devon Dampier in the opener. Regarding Johnson, Brennan said, “He’s ridiculously explosive.”
