Kansas State football sticks to practice routine despite recent losses after off weeks

MANHATTAN — Kansas State football coach Chris Klieman could have approached this open week in the Wildcats ' schedule with dread, or at least some trepidation.

Given the Wildcats' recent record after weeks off, and the fact that they go on the road next Saturday to face a surging Colorado team late at night — kickoff at Folsom Field in Boulder is scheduled for 9:15 p.m. central — there are some red flags.

But much as he appreciates the data and analytics that now are part of the college football landscape, Klieman also knows that any break from the grind of a long season is welcome.

"Open week for us comes at a really good time," said Klieman, whose Wildcats are coming off an impressive 42-20 victory over Oklahoma State. "We had talked early in the season that we'd have four weeks of camp and then five weeks of games, and then we'd get a break and then we'd have four weeks of games.

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"So, this is a really good time. We've got a lot of guys banged up, and some older players that just kind of need a break. And then we need to develop some guys, and we need to continue to work on some areas that we need to improve on."

Typical bye week stuff.

Forget that K-State is 3-5 in the previous five years under Klieman after having a week of rest, including four straight losses dating to the end of the 2020 COVID season. He isn't about to make drastic changes in the Wildcats' routine just for the sake of change.

"There's only so much that you can switch up," Klieman said. "We could come and practice this weekend, but I really don't want to do that. That's the biggest thing, is the time off the guys get on a Friday and Saturday.

"You've got to get then away from the facility and get them away from coaches. And part of that is your injuries and part of that is who we're playing. I don't get caught up in that any more than I don't get caught up in last week because, well, you guys haven't lost two games in a row in a while. That doesn't mean anything in my opinion."

Sure enough, as sketchy as the Wildcats' record is after open weeks, it has been stellar when coming off a loss. Not since the end of the 2021 regular season have they dropped back-to-back games, a streak that reached eight straight with the victory over Oklahoma State.

Offensive lineman Hadley Panzer, who has battled through an injury without missing a game, appreciates the time for healing, even if it does break the momentum of the Oklahoma State win.

"It's really important that we take care of our bodies, we get our legs back underneath us, and now we're doing everything we can ultimately to go out there (to Colorado) and put the best show on display.

"And I'm not going to quit saying it, that whatever week, new week, whatever, we're going to go 1-0 each day leading up to the game."

Klieman said he hoped that two players — tight end Brayden Loftin and nose tackle Uso Seumalo — would be ready to go for K-State (4-1, 1-1 big 12) against Colorado. Loftin missed the Oklahoma State game with a leg injury, and Seumalo went down late against the Cowboys .

Like K-State, Colorado (4-1, 2-0) has the weekend off after pounding Central Florida on the road last Saturday, 48-21.

The important thing for his Wildcats, according to Klieman, is to make the most of the time off regardless of previous results.

"You better play really well that week, coming off a loss," he said of the Oklahoma State game. "Just like if you have a bye week, you better play your best football home or away.

"And so, I don't get caught up like a lot of people do in all that stuff. Just like whether that's a must win on Saturday or this game's more important than that wone. I just have never got caught up in that in all my years."

Arne Green is based in Salina and covers Kansas State University sports for the Gannett network. He can be reached at agreen@gannett.com or on Twitter at @arnegreen.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas State football sticks to practice routine despite recent losses after off weeks