Buzz: Kansas State standouts in Week 2, injury update

Happy Week 3 to all of our KSO subscribers that are signed up with us to receive their Kansas State content. We’re back with the latest insider intel on the Wildcats.

Kansas State offensive lineman Christian Duffie

It may be the most underrated Kansas State injury we have ever covered. Christian Duffie missing the beginning of the season has provided a slow start along the offensive line, though they have more than found solutions as indicated by scoring 87 combined points on SEMO and Troy.

We’re just a bit impatient and want them immediately hitting on all cylinders. That was probably always an unreasonable request. It is just the intrigue of watching the Wildcats at full strength and finding out what it can look like when they put it all together.

However, what we felt would be the strength for K-State, especially in the early stages, hasn’t been up to this point. But I would still classify it as just a slow start. It is a group with the potential to flip the script rather quickly.

Even settling the right tackle spot can allow Cooper Beebe revert back to left guard and instantly improve the running game as well. They aren’t that far away from being what we imagined them being throughout the offseason.

Is Duffie close enough to have a shot to play on Saturday in Columbia? My sense is that he will be considered a game-time decision at worst. As revealed by Stan Weber at a Kansas State alumni event in Overland Park a few weeks ago, the target date for a return was always the Missouri game.

My three standouts on each side of the ball

Like Week 1, and after every game this year, I’ll give my three top players on each side of the ball for K-State. By that, I mean the three best players at that certain phase of the game that just isn’t solely tied to production.

For example, and no offense to him, Phillip Brooks is not one of my offensive picks. Last week’s picks were Cooper Beebe, DJ Giddens and RJ Garcia. Who gets the nod on Collin Klein’s unit after a 42-13 win over Troy?

I’m picking Beebe once again, but joining him is receivers Jadon Jackson and Keagan Johnson.

Beebe was dominant as always and saved the bacon of Kansas State by being able to move all over the offensive line to shore up weaknesses that surfaced. Speaking of saving the bacon, Jackson did so when he delivered the block that freed Brooks for the late first half score. It wasn’t just his touchdown and long receptions.

I know that Johnson only saw 16 snaps, but that was a huge development. He hauled in three receptions and showed some skills that we haven’t seen from the receiver position just yet. His hands are like glue and he knows what to do after securing the ball.

Defensively, the picks after defeating SEMO were Austin Moore, Khalid Duke and Damian Ilalio. The K-State win over Troy saw a different trio that included cornerback Jacob Parrish, defensive end Brendan Mott and linebacker Tobi Osunsanmi.

Though it was Duke that corralled the two sacks and made some of the splash plays for the Wildcats, I thought the most consistent production from snap-to-snap was from the other ends. Both Nate Matlack and Mott were constantly disruptive. Mott, in particular, was dominant in the first half.

Honestly, there isn’t much more to be said of Parrish. He plays like he’s been in the Big 12 for years.

Osunsanmi, just because of sheer volume, probably wasn’t a top three player but I picked him because I saw a giant improvement out of him from game one to game two. In reality, He looked fast against SEMO but it was a bit out of control and lacked situational awareness at times. He could have re-directed his route on a few cases.

That changed versus Troy, where he was even staying so assignment sound on twists and stunts that he was applying the punch at the point of attack to free up his teammates to have an easy path towards the quarterback.

Tang’s deal

Though it has been for a while, we’re still told that Jerome Tang and Kansas State are still at the finish line of his contract extension. There is zero concerns. That isn’t anything remotely earth-shattering but we saw fit to give an update as to alleviate any consternation within the fan base.

They are still dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s. However, a large buyout is not expected.

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