Kansas State University

Kansas State defensive starters Will Geary, Duke Shelley to miss Liberty Bowl

Despite coverage by K-State defensive tackle Will Geary (60) charges at the quarterback against Kansas.(November 29, 2014)
Despite coverage by K-State defensive tackle Will Geary (60) charges at the quarterback against Kansas.(November 29, 2014) The Wichita Eagle

Kansas State will be without two of its best defensive players against Arkansas in the Liberty Bowl.

Defensive tackle Will Geary didn’t make the trip for undisclosed reasons and will miss the game, according to a team spokesman. Cornerback Duke Shelley also won’t play. He made the trip, but he is believed to be battling an illness.

Both are big losses for a K-State defense that hoped to be at full strength for a difficult test against the Razorbacks.

Geary, a sophomore, made 45 tackles this season and was a first-team selection on the Big 12’s all-conference team as voted by the media.

Shelley, a freshman, is the team’s top cover corner. He made 28 tackles and broke up seven passes this season.

Kellis Robinett: @kellisrobinett

This story was originally published January 2, 2016 at 1:39 PM with the headline "Kansas State defensive starters Will Geary, Duke Shelley to miss Liberty Bowl."

Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER