Oct 20, 2020

Kansas State Speaks to Media Ahead of Sunflower Showdown

Posted Oct 20, 2020 6:39 PM

By Jackson Schneider

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Kansas State Head Coach Chris Klieman, as well as select members of the football program spoke to media via Zoom call on Tuesday for their weekly press conference ahead of this week's bout with in-state rival Kansas. 

When asked his thoughts on the game, Klieman emphasized that despite the series being lopsided of late, the magnitude of the game was unchanged.

"I think it's a big rivalry. Obviously, I've only been here for one year, but for the state of Kansas, it's a big deal," said Klieman. "So many of our guys know a lot of players on their team, and absolutely any time that you have teams from the same state going against each other... I think it's a big deal." 

Kansas has the edge in the all-time series between the two schools 64-48-5, but Kansas State has won 11-consecutive matchups, and 24 of the last 29 dating back to 1991. 

"Our kids, and our alums, and our fanbase and community, and the state, this is a big game, so our guys are excited for the opportunity," Klieman added. 

Last season, Kansas state throttled the Jayhawks in Lawrence 38-10 in front of a near sellout crowd at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, but this year, fan attendance will be limited; however, Jahron McPherson says the lack of fans won't impact the team's play.

"In all honesty, I think me and my teammates, when we're out there we don't even recognize the crowd," said the Basehor, Kansas native. "It's just blocked out because we're so tuned in on the goal at hand, and that's to try to win." 

McPherson, as well as the other three Wildcat athletes who spoke to the media all seemed to share one thought on Kansas, and it's that they were overlooked in recruiting by the Jayhawks and that it provided a chip on their shoulder, or motivation heading into the contest. 

"You know, growing up in Topeka and only being 30 minutes away from the university, was kind of just a respect thing," said Defensive End Wyatt Hubert. "Kansas State came out and offered me first, and had that trust and belief in me, and kind of KU really not having that, was kind of a disappointment a little bit." 

Hubert earned First Team All-Big 12 honors at defensive end in 2019, totaling seven sacks from his position on the line. 

The shared sentiment among the players of being overlooked by Kansas surely weighs into their motivation on Saturday, but there was also a shared attitude of "taking this game like it's any other game," cementing K-State's weekly focus on the opponent at hand. 

This week, the Wildcats will look to hold on to the Governor's Cup for a 12th-consecutive season, which would set a record for most consecutive wins in the rivalry.

Kansas State enters at 3-1 overall and 3-0 in Big 12 play, while their in-state rival Kansas is coming off a road loss to West Virginia, in which they lead 10-0 to begin the game before falling 38-17. The Jayhawks are 0-4 on the year and 0-3 in league play.

Kickoff of the 2020 Sunflower Showdown will be Saturday at 11 a.m. from Bill Snyder Family Stadium.