The Kansas State Wildcats have raised a lot of eyebrows during the early part of the season. They are 3-0 on the young year and that includes a very impressive 52-13 hammering of Miami. K-State hits the road for the first time this Saturday when they visit Owen Field and the Oklahoma Sooners.
Kansas State's Collin Klein believes the Wildcats will have to play nearly perfect to beat the Sooners
Collin Klein is K-State’s senior quarterback and offensive headliner. He’s the guy who’s been leading the Wildcat rushing juggernaut. He says it will take a near perfect game to beat the Sooners
“I would say a collective effort,” said Klein. “We cannot turn the ball over and cannot go three-and-out. That puts a lot of pressure on not only us in terms of field position, but it also puts a lot of pressure on our defense. We are going to need to execute, protect well and make some plays. I think it is going to be everything – we cannot do just one thing. It has to be everything.”
Except for a couple of plays, Oklahoma’s defense has been impressive so far this season, giving up just one touchdown over two games. They have, however, been somewhat vulnerable to the run. Klein says they are expecting a very tough defense plus some new wrinkles from the Sooners.
“We just have to prepare our tools with what we know, as best as we possibly can, and then be ready to possibly make some adjustments on the fly,” said Klein. “They do a good job of putting things together and getting themselves ready to go. We have just got to make the best possible plan that we can. We are going to have to be ready to adjust for some things that they are preparing.”
Things were similar a year ago when the Sooners visited Manhattan. K-State was one of the few undefeated teams left in the nation and the Sooners were trying to establish themselves as a conference title contender. With K-State leading 17-14 midway through the second quarter, the Sooners went wild and scored 44 straight points to whip the ‘Cats 58-17.
“We just quit making plays,” said Klein. “From a player’s perspective, that goes back to focusing on what you can control. That is how I see it, but we just did not get it done. We quit moving the football, they scored some quick points, and that put the pressure on us even more. Then it just kind of snowballed on all of us from that point on. Again, we just have to prepare the best we possibly can and give it the best shot that we have.”
The Sooners and Wildcats will kick-off at 6:50 p.m., Saturday night on Owen Field.
