Rapid Recap: High praise for Kansas State tight end

How Kansas State keeps improving

Kansas State has learned a lot about itself in the first six games of the season. At the halfway point of the season, offensive coordinator Conor Riley is impressed with his teams continued growth and sense of maturity. Last week at Colorado was a big step for K-State overcoming adversity on the road.

The Buffaloes were able to stop the Wildcats on the opening drive of the game leading to a touchdown for Colorado to score first. Kansas State then responded with a touchdown drive of its own. Avery Johnson was knocked out of the game for eight snaps and the Wildcats still scored a touchdown. K-State also got down 28-24 with a little over three minutes to play and were able to respond well. The continued growth and maturity of the Kansas State team really hit a high mark in Boulder.

Praise for a tight end

Redshirt freshman tight end Will Anciaux has seen his snap counts increase over the last few games. When asked about Anciaux, Riley raved about the Wichita product. The tight end is earning more snaps with everything he is doing, not just blocking as the quarterbacks are getting more and more comfortable throwing to him. He has earned all of his confidence through his play on the field and earning more playing time by his snaps.

Riley went as far as to say that if Anciaux is not the most improved player on the offense from week one, he is not sure who is.

Avery’s continued upward trajectory

Johnson continues to improve with every game as well. It is part of being a young quarterback and seeing more pictures and seeing it in a live environment. Where the sophomore quarterback is improving the most is seeing progressions better and gaining more confidence in the wide receivers.

The Kansas State quarterback is also continuing to grow as a leader. He was in the huddle with the defense before the last Colorado drive and during the two minute timeout. Johnson was also able to respond from the adversity of his interceptions to throwing three great balls on the last drive, though one was incomplete.