BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Kansas State is on the lookout for methods to restrict the affect of Colorado’s high receiver. Identical with the Buffaloes’ high cornerback.
That it simply so occurs to be the identical particular person solely impresses Wildcats coach Chris Klieman all of the extra. Travis Hunter is the uncommon two-way athlete who’s on the sphere for 93% of the performs from scrimmage this season.
Ironman soccer, certainly.
“He’s doing this at such a excessive degree, on either side of the ball, and taking part in quick on either side of the ball,” mentioned Klieman, whose 18th-ranked Wildcats (4-1, 1-1 Large 12) make their first trek to Folsom Discipline since 2010 on Saturday night time to face the surging Buffaloes (4-1, 2-0). “It’s actually spectacular to look at, as a result of he’s making performs in each phases — and big-time performs.”
Hunter leads the crew in receptions (46), yards receiving (561) and TDs (6). On protection, he has two interceptions regardless of being hardly ever focused, together with zero occasions in opposition to Baylor.
“Travis Hunter is likely one of the Heisman favorites for a cause,” Kansas State dual-threat quarterback Avery Johnson mentioned. “He’s a extremely gifted participant, and what he does on either side of the ball is admittedly particular, and doesn’t get sufficient credit score.”
Simply don’t examine him to Colorado coach Deion Sanders, who was a multidimensional menace over his Corridor of Fame NFL profession. Sanders desires Hunter to have the highlight all to himself.
“I’ve had my flip. I’m that previous boxing coach within the nook that claims, ‘Left, proper, left, proper. Hit him proper right here. All proper, come over to the nook,’” Sanders cracked. “That’s who I’m proper now. I’ve had my flip. It’s not me in opposition to him.”
Beneficial Tales
Late night time present
Each groups might be well-rested after coming off a bye week. It’s a late kickoff, too, with the sport beginning round 10:15 p.m. ET. This can be a large convention recreation for the Wildcats, who’ve dropped one league contest at BYU. The Buffaloes started their return to Large 12 league play with an additional time victory over Baylor, adopted by a win at Central Florida.
“We’re on our solution to the place we’re headed,” Sanders mentioned. “I like the path.”
The Dylan Edwards Wildcats?
A 12 months in the past, extremely touted recruit Dylan Edwards was within the Buffaloes backfield. A switch later and he’s now a part of a strong floor recreation for the Wildcats. Kansas State is averaging 6.93 yards per carry, trailing solely Boise State (8.18). Sanders turned playful when requested about dealing with off in opposition to Edwards.
“They modified their identify to Dylan Edwards? That’s what the crew known as now — the Dylan Edwards’?” Sanders quipped. “We ain’t taking part in in opposition to Dylan Edwards. We’re taking part in in opposition to a darn good soccer crew, man. Dylan occurs to be on their crew. I like the younger man.”
Slowing Shedeur
By means of 5 video games, Shedeur Sanders is simply behind his tempo of final season when he broke the Colorado single-season yards passing mark. However he additionally sat out the final recreation of the 12 months because of a fracture in his again. Behind a brand new offensive line, Sanders has thrown for 1,630 yards with 14 TDs. He’s been sacked 17 occasions this season. By means of 5 video games final season, he’d been sacked 25 occasions.
“I believe Sanders would be the first quarterback picked off the board” within the NFL draft, Klieman mentioned. “He must be within the movie that I’ve seen of loads of the highest guys.”
Slowing the Wildcats
The Wildcats are a certain guess to place factors on the board — they’ve scored 28 or extra in 12 of their final 13 video games. Colorado’s protection might be at full energy with the return of security Shilo Sanders, who missed the final three video games due to a forearm harm that required surgical procedure.
“I can’t wait to see him again there,” his father/coach mentioned.
Slowing Avery & Co.
Johnson is certainly one of three Energy-4 quarterbacks with at the very least 800 yards passing and 300 yards speeding this season. He’s fashioned fairly a dynamic tandem with tailback DJ Giddens, who’s averaging 120.8 yards speeding.
