Rapid recap: Kansas State's mindset
Kansas State’s mindset this week
After an emotional rivalry win last week, this week against Iowa State could be a letdown spot for Kansas State. Quarterback Will Howard acknowledged beating Kansas was big, but the page has been turned to Iowa State. This week is like coming off of a big loss where you have to be able to refocus. K-State must focus on the task at hand and not let anything get in their way. The Wildcats have lots of work to do still and it is all about the next play mentality they have been preaching all season long.
Eli Huggins’ presence still felt
Eli Huggins had a very productive career for the Wildcats. Losing him to graduation left some unproven players at the nose tackle position for Kansas State. For Damian Ilalio, Huggins was a major mentor to get him where he is now. The Manhattan native made the comparison of going from playing in high school to playing in college was like going from addition to calculus. Huggins helped Ilalio and the other nose guards along the way and they still use what Huggins taught them in terms of the defense and preparation.
Senior night thoughts
25 seniors will be playing in potentially their last game at Bill Snyder Family Stadium Saturday night. For some, it will be their last game in Manhattan. Others still have the ability to come back if they wish. For Hayden Gillum, this will be his second time going through the senior night festivities. This one is a lot harder for the super senior knowing the finality of it all. Last season he knew he still had the option to come back while going through the festivities.
Howard acknowledged it will be an emotional night and how much Kansas State has meant to him over the last four years.
