‘It means a lot’: Why bowl eligibility still matters to K-State football players
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Players treat bowl eligibility as vital motivation and extra development time.
- Seniors and coaches value bowl games for postseason practices and momentum.
- K-State needs a Colorado win to reach six victories and secure a bowl berth.
Damian Ilalio has experienced plenty of memorable achievements during his time as a Kansas State football player.
The senior defensive lineman helped the Wildcats win at least eight games in his first four seasons on campus. He also celebrated a Big 12 championship in 2022.
After all that success, he understandably had high hopes for this season. With a talented roster that featured Avery Johnson as the starting quarterback, he expected K-State to contend for a berth in the College Football Playoff. But it’s not going to happen.
The Wildcats (5-6, 4-4 Big 12) need to beat Colorado in their final game of the regular season to avoid a losing record. Bowl eligibility is the only thing left for them to play for.
Given that K-State has already fallen well short of expectations this season, it’s fair to wonder how much the Wildcats are motivated by the prospect of six wins.
“It means a lot,” Ilalio said.
OK then. How come?
“I have four rings right now in my time at K State, and I’m trying to complete the hand,” Ilalio said. “So I want to go to a bowl game. I want to win a bowl game, especially for these younger guys. It’s really important for them to go through something like that, because you get so much development during bowl prep.
“When you go to the bowl game, you have a bunch of happy times wherever you go. A bowl game is really important, and it’s definitely in the back of our minds as added motivation, if you will. We’ll be working towards that.”
If K-State becomes bowl eligible, it is hard to project where the Wildcats would play during the postseason. Current projections have them playing in the Independence Bowl, Armed Forces Bowl or Liberty Bowl.
Any destination would suffice for K-State offensive lineman Andrew Leingang
“Our goal is always to win, but making a bowl game and doing that for each other is definitely a huge motivation for us,” Leingang said. “It definitely just adds fuel to the fire for us.”
Head football coach Chris Klieman isn’t quite as motivated to play in a bowl as his players.
For him, the primary motivation this week is to win for K-State’s seniors. They are about to play in their final home game at Bill Snyder Family Stadium, and he wants to send them out on a high note.
But he would view a bowl as a bonus.
“If we can make it to the postseason,” Klieman said, “and if we can get another 10 practices with those guys, what an opportunity it will be to kickstart those guys for the next year.”
Some fans may not be excited about playing in a lower-tier bowl. But it would beat the alternative.
One thing is for sure, Ilalio will be proud of the achievement if it happens.
He had his previous four bowl rings fit to four different fingers. He is motivated to complete the set.
“I am just missing my pinky,” Ilalio said. “That’s it”