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What Kansas State football coaches and players said about Colorado

What Kansas State football coaches and players said about Colorado
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MANHATTAN – Kansas State football is back on the road this weekend to take on Colorado in the Big 12 After Dark showdown.

The 19th-ranked Big 12 Wildcats (4-1, 1-1) are trying to keep pace in the conference race against a Colorado team (4-1, 2-0) riding a three-game winning streak. The impetus for this Nationally televised game (ESPN) is scheduled for 9:15 p.m. local time at sold-out Folsom Field in Boulder.

Both teams are coming off a bye after winning comfortably two weeks ago: K-State beat Oklahoma State 42-20 at home and Colorado beat Central Florida 48-21 on the road.

Colorado boasts two of the college game's biggest stars in senior quarterback Shedeur Sanders and wide receiver-cornerback Travis Hunter, who excel on both offense and defense.

Here are five things Kansas State coach Chris Klieman and his Wildcat players had to say about Colorado coach Deion Sanders' Buffaloes earlier this week.

Related: Don't expect any drama when Kansas State football's Dylan Edwards takes on Colorado, Coach Prime

Related: Kansas State football's offense depends on DJ Giddens and a productive rushing attack

Kansas State coach Chris Klieman on the Buffs' offense and defense

Of course we have many concerns. Go to the offensive side, and I think (Shedeur) Sanders will be the first quarterback taken off the board (in next year's NFL Draft). That should be him. From the film I've seen of many top players, I think he's an excellent pitcher. You can't really confuse him. I've seen a lot of different teams try to manipulate coverage and stealth and he does a really good job from pre-snap to post-snap and he can make all the throws. And he has a lot of people to throw the football to.

And then they'll be aggressive on defense. We'll probably see a lot of men's coverage and some pressure. That's why we have to be able to win in man coverage and find ways to control the football.

Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson over Colorado WR-CB Travis Hunter

Travis Hunter is one of the Heisman favorites for a reason. He's a really talented player and what he does on both sides of the ball is really special and I don't think it gets enough credit.

Many people have their opinions to say about him. A lot of people want to hate on him, but he plays really hard and being able to play as many snaps as he does week in and week out is really special.

K-State OT Carver Willis (from Durango, Colorado) on the game atmosphere in Boulder

It will be a fun environment, quite electric. I'm sure the student area will be similar to TCU where it's in person and you just have to sit there and not care. Obviously it's a really cool stadium, a beautiful stadium, it's going to be really fun. And by 8:15 a.m. (mountain time) everyone should be properly fit and well on their way to having a good time.

Kansas State linebacker Austin Moore on the Colorado offense

How many weapons they have and how explosive they are. They will spread the ball all over the field and no matter who they bring the ball to, it will be deadly and capable of scoring at any time.

K-State QB Avery Johnson on the Colorado pass rush

They are a talented group that likes to put pressure on. The most important thing for us is that we have to prepare really well this week.

How can we get the ball out of my hand quickly if they want to apply pressure, and what other ways are there to detect the pressure before it happens?

Arne Green is based in Salina and covers Kansas State University sports for the Gannett Network. He can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at @arnegreen.

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