Watch: Kansas State coordinators preview Texas Tech

Kansas State offensive coordinator Collin Klein and defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman held a press conference on Thursday to discuss the upcoming game against Texas Tech. The coordinators touched on various topics, including the performance of quarterback Will Howard and the potential use of true freshman Avery Johnson. Klein mentioned that while Howard remains the starting quarterback, they have a plan for Johnson in this game. Check out the transcript and videos of each coordinator’s press conference below.

Reflecting on the Oklahoma State game: “A lot happened, and a lot didn’t. It was a frustrating night in various aspects. We need to consistently improve in all areas of the offense from week to week. We haven’t been able to see improvement across the board in multiple games. It’s disappointing. Taking care of the football and avoiding penalties and mental errors is crucial, especially when playing on the road. We can’t overlook the little things, as they can quickly accumulate and lead to a performance like that.”

Assessing Texas Tech’s defense: “Texas Tech has a lengthy and agile defensive line. They possess strong pass rushers who can put pressure on the quarterback. They play a lot of man coverage and have capable cover guys in the secondary. We need to handle their aggressive playing style one step at a time.”

On the decision to play Avery Johnson: “So far, the decision to play Avery has been based on our feel for the game and certain advantages we planned in our game plan. We have a solid plan for Avery this week, but Will Howard remains our main quarterback. Avery will be just fine.”

Possibility of new receivers: “There’s a chance we might see a couple of young guys on the field, particularly Jayce Brown. He has the potential to make an impact.”

Agreeing with Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire’s description of the game as a war: “Definitely. I vividly remember my experiences as a player going to Lubbock. It’s going to be an evening game in a hostile environment. Texas Tech is physical and aggressive. It will come down to execution, playmaking, and avoiding mistakes. War is an apt description.”

Analysis of the Oklahoma State game: “For the first time this season, we didn’t win the physical battle at the line of scrimmage. There were individual matchups where we did well, but overall, Oklahoma State was more aggressive. When we’re not making plays in their backfield and playing on our side of the line, it’s not a good situation. They executed well on the perimeter and made us tentative.”

Observations on Texas Tech’s Tahj Brooks: “Brooks is a phenomenal back and one of the hottest players in the league right now. He’s a bigger, tougher back who’s difficult to bring down. He demonstrates patience, keeps his feet underneath him, and avoids getting overextended. He’s also good in pass protection. Overall, he’s an excellent football player.”

Addressing the defense’s loss in the physical battle: “It’s a rare occurrence for us. Our leaders need to step up and continue to progress. We can’t play with the mindset of always being right and perfect in every aspect. We need to attack and play with aggression, rather than analyzing and being tentative.”

Strategies to create more turnovers: “We’re currently playing more man coverage, which may lead to fewer eyes on the ball and fewer turnovers. However, we’re emphasizing turnovers in practice and drills. It just hasn’t translated into game day yet. Turnovers can be unpredictable, but when we play with aggression and the right mindset, they tend to happen more frequently.”

How the defense performed in the red zone against Oklahoma State: “We executed better in the red zone, getting our feet underneath us and doing our jobs. We didn’t make any magical calls or changes. If we had executed with the same aggression earlier in the series, we could have avoided those situations. Ultimately, it comes down to aggression and execution.”