LAWRENCE — In some ways Lance Leipold sees the Kansas State game as just another game on the schedule. But in reality, he knows it’s much more than that for the Kansas football team and fans.
“We don’t make more of it,” Leipold said Monday at his weekly press conference. “We know it’s an important game on the schedule for us to build upon. I know last year was a very good football game and we had our opportunities, and we let it slip away.
“I think our guys know how important it is, and the extra energy that comes with a rivalry game. But I always say that if you put too much stock in one game you still have to line up and play again next week.”
KU (2-5) snapped a five-game skid last week as it routed Houston, while No. 16 K-State (6-1) routed West Virginia on the road. Jalon Daniels threw for three touchdowns against Houston, while K-State quarterback Avery Johnson did the same against WVU. The Jayhawks will be looking for their first road win of the season, as kickoff against the Wildcats is set for 7 p.m. Saturday at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
“We can’t let the crowd get involved,” Leipold said. “I’m sure they’ll be charged. We’ve got to make sure that we weather some of that early and make it a four-quarter game.
“Our guys have great respect for what they’ve done. They’re a ranked football team. And we’ve got a few of them coming up in the upcoming weeks, and we know that’s a challenging part of the schedule.”
KU hasn’t defeated K-State since Nov. 1, 2008, but came close last year, falling 31-27 in Lawrence in a game where Daniels and Jason Bean didn’t play.
“This has been a one-sided outcome for a while,” Leipold said. “And I think I said it in one of my first years here is that to make games rivalries you have to make them close and competitive. And as disappointing as last year was you have to turn the page from it.”
BRYANT NAMED BIG 12 DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
KU cornerback Cobee Bryant was named Big 12 defensive player of the week on Monday for his three-interception performance against Houston.
The senior was the first Jayhawk to record three picks in a game since 1958. Against Houston, Bryant also had three tackles including one for loss. Bryant now has 13 career interceptions, tying Aqib Talib (2005-07) for second-most in KU history.
