Kansas State vs. Arkansas State: Five things to know about the Wildcats’ first game
Football will return to Bill Snyder Family Stadium this week when the Kansas State Wildcats begin the 2020 season against the Arkansas State Red Wolves at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Here is everything you need to know to prepare for the game:
THE DETAILS
Kickoff: 2:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Bill Snyder Family Stadium, Manhattan, Kansas
TV: FS1
Radio: KKGQ (92.3 FM) in Wichita, KCSP (610 AM) in Kansas City
The line: K-State by 10
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW
Arkansas State is off to an 0-1 start. Unlike K-State, the Red Wolves were in action over the weekend and began their season with a 37-24 road loss at Memphis. It was a disappointing debut, but Arkansas State showed it has some talent by taking a 14-7 lead in the first quarter before Memphis pulled away.
The Wildcats will be limited at several positions. K-State football coach Chris Klieman said on Monday that the Wildcats are entering their first game without “anywhere close to the number of guys we started camp with,” because of injuries and COVID-19 issues. That means K-State may be without key starters and backups at several positions in Week 1. Sources have said wide receiver and offensive line have been hit the hardest. To that end, Klieman expects to use every eligible player on the roster Saturday.
The Red Wolves use a two-quarterback system. K-State will need to be ready to defend multiple passers this week. Both Logan Bonner and Layne Hatcher saw extensive playing time against Memphis and that is likely to continue. Bonner started the game and completed 14 of 23 passes for 133 yards a touchdown and two interceptions. Hatcher, an Alabama transfer, went 13 of 20 for 166 yards.
This could be a big debut for Briley Moore. No two games are alike, but K-State’s senior tight end has to like his chances of exploiting Arkansas State’s defense after watching what Memphis tight end Sean Dykes accomplished on Saturday. Dykes caught 10 passes for 137 yards and two touchdowns against the Red Wolves. Moore transferred to K-State from Northern Iowa to prove himself at the Big 12 level. He will get an attractive matchup in his first game with the Wildcats.
Prepare for a new gameday atmosphere. If you have a ticket for Saturday’s game, you will need to be prepared for a different environment than usual. K-State is limiting fan capacity to approximately 12,500 so fans can practice social distancing in their sections. No tailgating will be allowed in the K-State parking lots beforehand. Another change: beer and wine will be sold throughout the stadium for the first time.