Sunflower Showdown: KU-K-State press conferences, updates and more

As the Kansas Jayhawks and K-State Wildcats get ready for the highly-anticipated Sunflower Showdown rivalry game in Manhattan, KS this Saturday, 10-24-20, here’s everything you need to know leading up to the game.

How to listen:

Sports Radio 810 College GameDay – 9 AM
Kansas Pregame Show – 9:30 AM
Kansas vs Kansas State – 11 AM
Kansas Postgame –  3 PM

KU football coach Les Miles’ press conference, 10-19-20:

K-State football coach Chris Klieman’s press conference quotes, 10-20-20:

On working with quarterback Will Howard on the bye week…

“We worked with Will. We worked with Nick Ast. We worked with Jaren Lewis. Because Jaren and Nick haven’t had a ton of snaps, we worked all three of those guys and split a lot of those reps. Jaren needed them more than anybody because he hadn’t had some reps since he missed some time. We gave Will a lot of different pictures from our defense. We didn’t spend a ton of time on game planning on either side of the ball mainly because we wanted to get back to fundamentals and techniques all across the board, not just at the quarterback position, because of all the things we’ve talked about – missing so much time in camp. I know Will, and hopefully all the quarterbacks, improved and got a number of pictures. ”

On how to grade a true freshman quarterback…

“How calm he is and that he doesn’t get ahead of himself. That he’s relaxed but under control, seeing things and not guessing what he’s seeing, truly seeing them. I’ve had an opportunity to sit with the quarterbacks every morning when Coach (Collin) Klein is in meetings with Coach (Courtney) Messingham and the offensive staff just to pick their brain and pick my brain. It’s been good just to see how much knowledge those three guys have and continue to gain and know that they haven’t arrived. They have so much work to do, and this is a tough thing for a young player or inexperienced player to come in at quarterback. We have to do a great job as a coaching staff to make it manageable for them too.”

On pumping wide receiver Malik Knowles up and getting him going…

“We have to get him some throws, probably. Maybe get him an easy catch early in the game. You just don’t ever know how it’s going to go on a week-to-week basis based on where the coverage is going, what pressures they’re showing or are we going to have success running the football or throwing it to a slot receiver or tight end or backs. Just know that your number is going to be called at some time, and you just have to continue to practice hard every day. When those opportunities come along, make the most of them.”

On the rivalry with Kansas…

“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. For those kids from Missouri, it’s a big deal. So many of our guys know a lot of players on their team. Anytime you have teams from the same state going against each other at any level, and now you throw in Big 12 and Power 5, I think it’s a big deal. I know it is. Our kids, alums and fan base and community and state, this is a big game. Our guys are excited for the opportunity.”

On getting more receivers involved…

“Every game is different. We didn’t have many plays against TCU. We just weren’t able to get a rhythm and sustain some drives. They play such a tight defense and great coverage. It’s something that we talk about on a daily basis with our staff. We’re trying to find more ways to get them involved, whether it’s on some jet sweeps or some reverses – whatever it may be – trying to get as many guys involved as we can. We also have really good tight ends. Nick (Lenners) hasn’t caught many balls. Sammy (Wheeler) hasn’t caught many balls. We have a bunch of those guys. Running backs, we have to find a way to get the ball to Harry (Trotter) and Tyler (Burns). So, it’s a better problem to have in that we know we’re going to continue to improve and get better.”

On if there are any other freshmen improving…

“I thought Jaren Lewis had a really good week. He’s a guy that was down for a while and missed a few weeks, and that’s probably where Will jumped ahead of him during fall camp. Then we lose Skylar (Thompson) and have to find another guy. Nick (Ast) has done a really good job, so we gave Jaren a bunch of reps. Jaren is a young player that hasn’t really had an opportunity for a variety of reasons, so I think he got a lot better. It was good for us to get Cooper Beebe back this week, so Cooper will be back in the fold playing. Getting Cooper back up to speed, so to speak. Keyon Mozee continues to do some really good things. He’s overshadowed a little bit by Deuce (Vaughn), but he’s a really talented player that continues to improve.”

On worrying about the team overlooking KU…

“No. We’re not good enough to overlook anybody. Our kids know that. Our guys have to play their tail off to have an opportunity and continue to prepare. When we prepare really well, we put a good product out on the field. When we don’t prepare as well, we don’t put as good a product on the field. Our guys know that this game is so difficult and it’s hard to win college football games. You don’t win games on Saturdays. I think you win them Monday through Friday. Our preparation has to have great focus and great energy, and the guys have to be really locked in this week.”

On if winning this game last year helped recruiting…

“I think they all are without question. You get in-state kids or local guys or regional guys. It’s not just this game, but there are other games as well that impact your regional recruiting. You can’t think of that when you’re putting together a game plan or playing, but it’s important for us to focus on the task at hand and not the outside noise or outside auxiliary things that come with this game. Our focus has to be on executing our game plan on offense, defense and (special) teams.”

On if preparing for Kansas changes without running back Pooka Williams…

“That will be the interesting thing to see because they haven’t been without him for many games. I can’t think of any off the top of my head. I think they’re still going to do what they do. A dynamic player is missing, just like when we didn’t have Skylar (Thompson) and a dynamic player was missing. I think you still have to have your identity of who you are. They have plenty of players. They have really good skill kids. I’ve been impressed with all of their receivers. Their running backs are good. They run hard and are physical. The quarterbacks are athletic. So, once again, so many people put so much emphasis on what one player can do for a football team. Holy cow. You better have all 11 executing to be successful on offense and defense.”

On the communication with Skylar Thompson…

“He came back on Monday, and we had a really good conversation. He’s excited about helping the quarterbacks, and he was at practice yesterday and it was good. I just know those guys need his help. He sees the field so well. He sees the game. It’s slowed down for him as he’s played. He’ll be a great help to those guys throughout the week and on game day.”

On watching Deuce Vaughn on film and how quick an impression was formed…

“About four snaps. We said that kid can play in the Big 12 and be an impact guy. Then, you have one conversation with him and you say he has that ‘it’ factor. He’s mature beyond his years. He has his priorities in check, and he loves the game of football. You can just tell watching the kid play how much he loves to play. So, it did not take us long to decide that he would be an exceptional football player here.”

On how a player like Deuce Vaughn impacts the culture of the program…

“He’s a true freshman that’s playing an awful lot, but he still goes through the developmental lift with all his classmates. So does Will Howard. I think that tells you a lot right there. We need to have him make an impact, as well as Will, on that freshman class. For him to be able to go lift with those guys and to see there is a work ethic with the ability, I think that helps. Without question, he’ll be someone we lean on heavily from a leadership standpoint throughout his career.”

On who will be starting under center for KU…

“I’m not sure who they’re going to play. That’s not my worry. We just have to prepare and watch whatever film we have on all three players and know they’re coaching staff is a good staff. They’re going to put him in a position to be successful, and we may have to adapt as the game goes to what they’re trying to hang their hat on. But, they have a really good offensive staff that is going to put him in positions to be successful.”

On Velton Gardner at running back for KU…

“I see him carrying the football an awful lot. He’s their leading rusher, and I think he’s an exceptional football player. Great downhill runner with the ability to make you miss. Doesn’t get brought down with arm tackles. I’ve been impressed with him, and that’s where I know you take a good player out of the mix, but it’s going to give him more opportunities and he’ll be a focal point of their offense. We’ll have to do a great job of trying to slow him down because he’s a really talented player.”

On KU’s defensive improvements last week against West Virginia…

“I have not watched the game as it goes. We were practicing at the time of their game because we needed to focus on us. I’ve seen cutups, so I haven’t seen it as the game goes. Obviously, they were off to a 10-0 lead and were doing some really good things on defense. They have talent on that side of the ball, so we’re going to have our hands full with our game plans offensively and defensively and have to have great execution. We cannot turn the ball over or give up explosive plays. That’s the formula no matter who you’re playing to have success is you hang onto the football and keep them from explosive plays.”

On piecing together the secondary this year…

“Without question, it’s really helped, and I think Ekow Boye-Doe has played really good football for us. I’m excited for him because he’s waited his time. He has not had an opportunity, just continued to work hard through a lot of different scenarios. He was able to get an opportunity and make the most of it. Justin Gardner has done some really good things. We’re counting on Justin because we brought him in as a junior college transfer, but he missed all of spring ball, so you don’t just pick up our system that quickly. He was thrust into a role and has played well. Tee Denson has done some good things, a true freshman, and Kiondre Thomas, a transfer from Minnesota, has missed significant time and is back. It has helped us getting those guys some experience, and I’m excited for how those guys are playing. Coach (Van) Malone and Coach (Joe) Klanderman do a great job of emphasizing those guys’ strengths, and they’re playing hard.”

On quarterback Jaren Lewis being resilient…

“I’ve been very impressed with Jaren. Again, this goes back to the fall camp phase where we can’t talk about all the things, but he missed significant time. That’s just hard when you’re a new player that’s missed all of spring ball. I know he was here as a true freshman, but you’re just trying to survive your true freshman year. He saw Will (Howard) doing some really good things, and he said that he wanted to learn this because I’m not far away from taking a snap. Whether it’s injury or COVID, you better continue at all positions – and in particular at quarterback – continue to rep guys and give guys opportunities because you never know when your number is going to be called. Ekow Boye-Doe didn’t think his number was going to be called, and now he’s a starting corner for us and playing at a high level. We will continue, even as we get into game prep, of taking time everyday at practice for young players or guys who haven’t played yet and setting that time aside and saying, ‘It’s K-State offense vs. K-State defense. You guys go play, because your number is going to be called sometime this year.’”