K-State (4-2, 1-2 Big 12)
K-State looks to carry its momentum from the Dillons Sunflower Showdown into its first game of a two-game road swing when it travels to Arizona State on Saturday, Oct. 24.
The Wildcats are coming off a 35-24 win over Kansas on Oct. 17, piling up 568 total yards, including 359 on the ground. Joe Jackson rushed for 159 yards, while quarterback Avery Johnson added 132 rushing yards and 209 passing yards.
K-State ranks sixth nationally in rushing, averaging 239.8 yards per game, and Johnson is a huge part of that success. However, Johnson’s status changed to questionable on Wednesday night’s injury report, creating uncertainty under center. Senior Jacob Knuth could step in if needed. He has played 17 snaps this season, completed all three of his career pass attempts for 25 yards, and rushed for 83 yards and a touchdown. Freshman Dillon Duff offers another option, but his availability remains unclear.
Defensively, the Wildcats rank third nationally in passing yards allowed at 136.3 per game. Head coach Collin Klein said the team must clean up communication mistakes before facing the Sun Devils.
Saturday also marks K-State’s first trip to Tempe since Sept. 9, 1989, when the Wildcats lost 31-0 to Arizona State.
Arizona State (3-3, 1-2 Big 12)
Arizona State looks to rebound from a lopsided loss and get back on track when it hosts K-State on Saturday. The Sun Devils fell 53-25 to No. 8 Texas Tech on Oct. 17, struggling to slow the Red Raiders’ offense.
Quarterback remains a key question for head coach Kenny Dillingham. Cutter Boley started against Texas Tech but threw two interceptions in the first half, including a pick-six, before Mikey Keene took over after halftime. Keene threw for 256 yards and two touchdowns in relief, leaving the Sun Devils’ quarterback situation as a storyline heading into Saturday.
Through the air, Reed Harris has been Arizona State’s top target, recording 41 receptions for 653 yards and eight touchdowns. The senior receiver, alongside Omarion Miller, who averaged 14.5 yards per catch on Saturday, gives the Sun Devils a big-play option as they look to keep pace with K-State’s offense.
Dillingham praised Klein’s ability to build deception into the Wildcats’ offense with misdirection and a mobile quarterback.
“Klein’s one of the best architects of the quarterback run, and this deceptive run game,” Dillingham said at his weekly press conference on Monday, Oct. 19. “It’s a great challenge for us, and we have to be sound. That’s going to be the game. Are we sound, and can we tackle when we get in those positions?”
