Adrian Holguin
October 6, 2026
Top Three Takes: Coach Klein’s Week Five Presser
The Wildcats prepare to host Houston at Bill Snyder Family Stadium exactly two weeks after taking their first loss against Cincinnati on the road. It doesn’t hurt that the Wildcats are coming off a bye week, which let them work through issues and focus on moving forward. Let’s hear what Collin Klein had to say in his post-bye-week press conference.
Will Anciaux is Out for the Season / Other Injury Updates
While some Wildcats got healthier, others couldn’t shake the dreaded injury bug. Klein announced that tight end Will Anciaux will miss the rest of the season after suffering a lower-leg injury against the Cincinnati Bearcats. The senior tight end from Wichita, KS, has caught 6 passes for 84 yards through the first four games of the season. Anciaux’s injury will leave a veteran hole in the tight end room, but it could let sophomore tight end Linkon Cure get more involved beginning this Saturday.
Despite losing a starter, the Cats will continue to rely on two-tight-end formations. In summary, Klein said that Anciaux’s injury will not lead the Wildcats to abandon those formations, but they will adjust their packages accordingly.
Klein also said Jaron Tibbs is progressing well from his injury and will be “just fine,” and offensive lineman Oliver Miller could get snaps in the near future if his recovery continues.
Moving Forward Past Cincinnati
It is no secret that the Wildcats had plenty to work on after their first loss of the season, and Klein said the fixes were a mix of both big and small. He pointed out that after the Wildcats were put on their heels in the third quarter, neither the defense nor the offense could settle the game down.
Klein said he wants the team to improve their ability to respond to adversity as a collective and minimize the damage that comes from giving up an explosive play.
Looking Ahead to Houston
Klein was very complimentary of the Cougars’ rush defense. He praised the tenacity and effort of the group’s defensive front and explained why he thinks the Houston defensive front finds success. He specifically said the defensive ends do a great job taking away space from quarterbacks, while the interior linemen press into gaps and disrupt blocking combinations.
Klein also praised the Willie Fritz-led offense’s ability to stay in manageable situations. He was also very complimentary of Houston quarterback Conner Weigman, praising his ball security and efficiency. He was also impressed by his dual-threat ability.
Final Takeaways
This press conference makes it clear Kansas State is focused on moving forward from the loss to the Cincinnati Bearcats as the group prepares for its next matchup. It will be interesting to see how the offense responds to the loss of Will Anciaux and exactly how the snaps will be distributed across the rest of the tight end room. Another strong press conference is just what the doctor ordered for the Kansas State Wildcats heading into a matchup against a ranked opponent.