Ertz continues strong QB tradition

Previously...

Luke Sobba brings his fabulous writing skills to bear on Game of Thrones, with a Price Paid for Stupid Plans.

Football

In our ongoing preview of the 2017 Wildcats, JT VanGilder takes a closer look at the defensive line. Spoiler alert: the unit is solid, and Will Geary is back.

Speaking of previews, the Kansas City Star’s 2017 football preview is out, and there’s plenty of Kansas State-specific content.

We’ve heard about the success of second-year quarterbacks in Bill Snyder’s system before, so there’s every reason to expect Jesse Ertz’s second season under center to be even better than his first. He knows the playbook better now, he’s healthier now, and more importantly, he’s hungrier now. Ertz put it succinctly:

Every possession, I want to put it in the end zone. A field goal is disappointing.

Ertz’s performance will be one of the keys to a great season for the Wildcats. Kellis Robinett predicts a 9-3 record for Kansas State with losses to Texas, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State. There are other interesting tidbits in Kellis’ weekly K-State Q&A too, including his take on flannel shirts for the winning team in the Farmageddon series. (I know, I know. I’m as confused as you are).

The Kansas State offense is not all Ertz though. He’ll have plenty of help in the backfield, where Alex Barnes hopes to use his speed and personality to make an impression.

A constant from last season—and really over much of the past two decades—is that Kansas State will not really change its offensive identity. The Wildcats are going to run the ball a lot and chew up enough clock on each possession to spell the defense. Also, nobody will complain. Because Kansas State (Ken Corbitt, Topeka Capital-Journal).

In other news, there will be added security at home games this year, so Wildcats fans are asked to arrive early, i.e. 30 to 45 minutes before kickoff.

And now for something different: Brogan Barry’s family is super excited he’s playing at Kansas State, but with Addie Barry playing libero with KU volleyball, the family is very busy with travel and the requisite change in school colors when they go from one child’s event to the other’s. It’s going to be especially tough, as Kansas State Senior Day in football coincides with volleyball Senior Day at KU (Kevin Haskin, Capital-Journal).

Volleyball

The 2017 season got off to a great start for Kansas State. In Corvallis for the Beaver State Classic, the Wildcats rallied from a set down to beat Pacific 3-1 (15-25, 28-26, 25-13, 31-29).

Kylee Zumach, Alyssa Schultejans, and Bryna Vogel were in the double digits for kills with 17, 13, and 10 respectively. Sarah Dixon made her Wildcats debut memorable with 34 assists on the day.

In their second match of the tournament, Kansas State swept Idaho 3-0. Vogel and Zumach each had 9 kills, while Dixon had 24 assists.

Up next, the VolleyCats will take on hosts Oregon State. The match is scheduled for 9 PM tonight.