Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Editor’s Note: This is the 10th of 11 articles previewing Kansas’ competition in the Big 12 Conference. The articles will run every day from now until Sept. 1. Tomorrow, the Kansan will look at Missouri.
The Kansas State Wildcats stumbled to a 4-7 record last season, giving them their first losing season since 1992.
Kansas State football coach Bill Snyder said it wouldn’t be easy to return to the form the Wildcats had when they captured a Big 12 Championship in 2003.
Jeromey Clary, senior offensive tackle, said the team has realized the errors it made last season, and are ready to correct them to get the new season under way.
Kansas State Wildcats 2005 Football Schedule:
Date Opponent Location Time
09/03/05 Florida International Manhattan 1:10 p.m.
09/10/05 Marshall Huntington, W. Va. 9:30 a.m.
09/24/05 North Texas Manhattan 1:10 p.m.
10/01/05 Oklahoma Norman, Okla. TBA
10/08/05 Kansas Manhattan TBA
10/15/05 Texas Tech Lubbock, Texas TBA
10/22/05 Texas A&M; Manhattan TBA
10/29/05 Colorado Manhattan TBA
11/05/05 Iowa State Ames, Iowa TBA
11/12/05 Nebraska Lincoln, Neb. TBA
11/19/05 Missouri Manhattan TBA
“I think that our practices were kind of lackadaisical, and we didn’t really show good work ethic, and I think that’s changed,” Clary said. “I think our team is a lot different this year. We work a lot harder.”
Not only does Snyder have to deal with last year’s losing record, he also has to replace running back Darren Sproles, the team’s former top player. Sproles holds the Kansas State record for rushing yards in a career with just less than 5,000 yards. Snyder has yet to determine a starter at the running back position, but said he has been happy with the work of the players competing for the job.
“Well, you can’t replace Darren Sproles. I think we all understand that,” Snyder said. “I think it will be — it will just be a very competitive spot, and hopefully that makes all of them better. I would like to think that would be the case.”
Kansan file photo
Defensive linemen Tim Allen and Jermial Ashley, then juniors, converge for a tackle on Allen Webb, then Kansas State sophomore quarterback, during last season's 31-28 win. The Jayhawks travel to Manhattan this season on Oct. 8th.
Although Snyder has yet to name a starter, junior Thomas Clayton has the upper hand heading into the first game, Snyder said. Senior Carlos Alsup, freshman Parrish Fisher and junior Donnie Anders will all challenge Clayton and see considerable time in the team’s first game against Florida International.
Another uncertain position on Kansas State’s offense is quarterback. The starter from a year ago, junior Dylan Meier, returns to the team; however, he spent the offseason recovering from shoulder surgery.
Junior Allen Webb will challenge Meier for the starting spot and most likely start the team’s first game against Florida International. Snyder said he was unsure of how he will use Meier in the season opener.
“Dylan could play, but we don’t know if he will,” Snyder said. “Alan took steps forward this offseason. Last year in five or six starts he was hot and cold. I think there has been an overall improvement by him in the offseason.”
The strong point of the team should be defense. The defense will be led by Brandon Archer, junior linebacker. Archer was named the team’s most improved player last season and tallied 75 tackles.
The Wildcats also boast a strong defensive line anchored by returning senior starters Scott Edmonds and Derek Marso. Edmonds led the team in tackles for a loss and sacks last season, while Marso returns for his third year of starting duty.
“We still have a ways to go defensively, and that’s true with other segments of the program as well, but I think we have made improvement,” Snyder said. “I thought we got better during the offseason program. I think we got better with spring practice.”
Kansas State opens its conference season with a road game at Oklahoma. A week later, Kansas will travel to Manhattan, which could be a pivotal game in the Big 12 North division. Kansas State will close out its season at home against Missouri.
— Edited by Becca Evanhoe
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