Wildcats' Run Game Meets Buffs' Turnover Struggles in Boulder

Kansas State arrives in Boulder on Saturday with a simple pattern: if the team runs for 200 yards or more, it wins. If it falls short, it loses. The Wildcats have won four games with that rushing threshold and lost three when they did not meet it.

The matchup presents a stark contrast in team identities. Colorado, currently 2-5 and 0-4 in the Big 12, has committed 16 turnovers in seven games. Conversely, Kansas State has given up the ball only six times all season. The Buffaloes lead the all-time series 45-22-1, but recent performance suggests the momentum has shifted.

Quarterback Avery Johnson, who has rushed for 462 yards at 9.1 yards per carry, is listed as out for Saturday. Backup Jacob Knuth, who has not thrown an interception in 42 attempts, is listed as doubtful. First-year coach Collin Klein has not named a starter. Klein noted that the team must win the line of scrimmage offensively, a task the Wildcats failed to complete in their recent loss to Arizona State.

Colorado's defensive struggles against the run have worsened in conference play. The team allowed 96 rushing yards per game in nonconference games but has surrendered 204.8 yards per game to Big 12 opponents. Last week, Arizona State’s Cardae Mack rushed for 159 yards and four touchdowns against the Buffaloes.

Offensive coordinator Deion Sanders has emphasized consistency, running the ball, and creating turnovers. He pointed to the team's only FBS win against Georgia Tech, where Colorado ran 49 times and led 24-23 at halftime against Oklahoma State before the run game stalled in the second half.

Tight end Brady Kopetz acknowledged the need to handle adversity better, stating that mistakes are inevitable in football. Linebacker Gideon Lampron, the team's leading tackler, said the defense needs to be disciplined and avoid missed assignments, referencing the 29 missed tackles from the previous game.

Klein, a Loveland High School graduate with family throughout the Front Range, noted he is more of a Colorado State fan and has never attended a Buffs game. Sanders admitted he did not know Klein was a local, calling him a competent play caller. The game is scheduled for noon Mountain Time on Saturday at Folsom Field.