Kansas State Wildcats Backup QBs Gained Valuable Experience In Opener

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One of the best things about the Kansas State Wildcats football team winning so easily against Nicholls last week was it allowed first-year coach Collin Klein a chance to see so many players. 

It was especially beneficial at quarterback. Backups Jacob Knuth and Blake Barnett both played plenty of snaps in the 71-3 victory. It is key for them to gain experience in case starter Avery Johnson gets injured. It also helps them in preparation for next year's competition.

Klein said he was proud of both players. 

Barnett completed 4 of 5 passes for 41 yards. He also rushed two times for three yards. 

"I thought Blake, even from where he's come from a pocket presence standpoint over the course of camp," Klein said.  "And a couple of those third-down throws of staying calm, staying poised, having a good base in the pocket, letting the scheme develop, and finding a receiver and keeping us on the field was really, really good to see in game for his growth and development."

Knuth was 1 of 1 passing for seven yards. He rushed three times for 25 yards. 

"I was proud of Jacob of how he managed things down the stretch late in the game," Klein said. "We were trying to take the air out of it a little bit and thought he ran really, really hard and managed things and with those young guys in there really well."

The Wildcats are perhaps more concerned with Barnett's growth because Knuth is already in his fifth year after last playing for the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Barnett is likely the starter for next season if Johnson declines to play a fifth season. The Wildcats also have the option of bringing in a quarterback from the transfer portal. 

K-State returns to action Saturday against the Washington State Cougars at Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan. The Cougars are coming off a tough loss to the rival Washington Huskies in the opener. 

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Shandel Richardson is the publisher of KStateRoundtable. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com 

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