Kansas State Wildcats
FILE - In this Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020, file photo, Pittsburgh's Todd Sibley Jr. (23) blocks a punt by Austin Peay punter Cole Deeds before returning it for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game, in Pittsburgh. The first 29 games of the 2020 college football season have exposed the toll coronavirus restrictions have taken on special teams play. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)
Virus-caused disruptions get blame for special teams follies

By Eric Olson Sep. 17, 2020 02:56 AM EDT

North Carolina's Michael Carter breaks away from Syracuse's Geoff Cantin-Arku in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020 in Chapel Hill, N.C. (Robert Willett/The News & Observer via AP, Pool)
Stadiums quiet but college football, shows of unity go on

By Eric Olson Sep. 12, 2020 05:02 PM EDT

Kansas State tight end Briley Moore, right, catches a pass in the end zone to score a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arkansas State Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Arkansas State beats Kansas State 35-31 in final minute

By Cody Friesen Sep. 12, 2020 04:33 PM EDT

Kansas State tight end Briley Moore (0) catches a pass in the end zone to score a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arkansas State Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Arkansas State at Kansas State 9/12/2020

Sep. 12, 2020 02:07 PM EDT

FILE - Kansas State quarterback Skylar Thompson passes to a teammate during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Baylor in Manhattan, Kan., Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019. Arkansas State plays at Kansas State on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner, File)
K-State to kick off season against Arkansas State

By Dave Skretta Sep. 10, 2020 02:52 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 7, 2019 file photo, Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler (7) carries in the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against South Dakota, in Norman, Okla. The coronavirus pandemic has shut down much of Division I football, but with three of the Power Five leagues still playing, there are still some big games to look forward to. Oklahoma takes on Texas on Oct. 10, 2020. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)
Big 12 opens virus-delayed 25th season with only 7 games

By The Associated Press Sep. 10, 2020 05:00 AM EDT

FILE - Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger (11) runs onto the field before the team's NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Austin, Texas. Ehliger gets his last chance to win a Big 12 title for 14th-ranked Texas, which lost the league championship game two years ago after beating Oklahoma earlier that season. (Nick Wagner/Austin American-Statesman via AP, File)/Austin American-Statesman via AP)
No. 5 Oklahoma still Big 12 favorite with inexperienced QB

By Stephen Hawkins Sep. 01, 2020 02:13 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 16, 2019, file photo, Kansas State quarterback Skylar Thompson (10) passes to a teammate during the first half of an NCAA college football game against West Virginia in Manhattan, Kan. Thompson is back to direct the offense heading into the opener Sept. 12, 2020, against Arkansas State. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner, File)
K-State heads into Year 2 under Klieman with high hopes

By Dave Skretta Sep. 01, 2020 12:28 PM EDT

Buffalo Bills Head Coach Sean McDermott runs practice form the middle of the field with a mask on during the second day of training camp opened to the media at ADPRO Sports Training Center's outdoor field in Orchard Park, N.Y., Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020. P (James P. McCoy/Buffalo News via AP, Pool)
The Latest: 7 on Kansas State football team test positive

By The Associated Press Aug. 28, 2020 11:00 AM EDT

FILE - In this Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, file photo, Georgia Tech wide receiver Ahmarean Brown runs for yardage during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Miami, in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Yellow Jackets will need big years from their receivers if they are to improve upon last season's unit, which finished 124th in scoring and fourth-worst among FBS schools in total offense.(AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)
Column: Still time for college football to avoid a real mess

By Paul Newberry Aug. 14, 2020 04:58 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 7, 2017, file photo, a Big 12 pylon marks the end zone at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium before an NCAA college football game between Texas and Kansas State in Austin, Texas. Big 12 schools have agreed to play one nonconference football game this year to go along with their nine league contests as plans for the pandemic-altered season continued to fall into place. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
Big 12 moves ahead with fall sports beginning in September

By Dave Skretta Aug. 12, 2020 02:07 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 16, 2019, file photo, Indiana coach Tom Allen watches the second quarter of the team's NCAA college football game against Penn State in State College, Pa. The Big Ten and Pac-12 became the first Power Five conferences to cancel their fall football seasons because of concerns about COVID-19. The Big Ten said it hopes to compete in the spring, and the Pac-12 pushed even basketball back to Jan. 1. “My heart breaks for our players. I couldn’t be prouder of the commitment and focus they have demonstrated from the start of this pandemic," Allen said of the Big Ten's decision Tuesday, Aug. 11. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger, File)
Coaches' emotions on edge as pandemic questions linger

By Hank Kurz Jr. Aug. 11, 2020 06:33 PM EDT

College football players left in limbo as seasons get pushed

By Dave Skretta Aug. 11, 2020 06:27 PM EDT
Kansas State quarterback Skylar Thompson is ready to play football next month. Or in the winter. Or even the spring. He...

FILE - In this Oct. 7, 2017, file photo, a Big 12 pylon marks the end zone at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium before an NCAA college football game between Texas and Kansas State in Austin, Texas. Big 12 schools have agreed to play one nonconference football game this year to go along with their nine league contests as plans for the pandemic-altered season continued to fall into place. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
Kansas State at Texas 10/7/2017

Aug. 04, 2020 10:29 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 19, 2019, file photo, TCU coach Gary Patterson watches during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against Kansas State in Manhattan, Kan. TCU’s chancellor said coach Gary Patterson apologized Monday, Aug. 3, 2020 for repeating a racial slur when telling a player to stop using the slur in team meetings. Linebacker Dylan Jordan accused Patterson on Twitter of using the slur during a confrontation at practice (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
Hatta SC vs AL Ain FC 10/19/2019

Aug. 03, 2020 11:27 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 16, 2019, file photo, Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman warms up his team before an NCAA college football game against West Virginia in Manhattan, Kan. Kansas State football players say they will boycott all team activities until administrators create a policy that would allow a student to be expelled for “openly racist, threatening or disrespectful actions.” The move that most players announced Saturday on social media follows a tweet by a student about the death of George Floyd that prompted outrage on campus. Late Sunday, June 28, 2020, coach Chris Klieman tweeted his support: “Racism is NOT welcome at KSTATE now or in the future. ... I am excited to help every player unite for the solution NOW, so that that we can come together stronger than ever. Black Lives Matter.” (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner, File)
K-State players end threat of boycott over Floyd tweet

Jul. 03, 2020 10:26 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 16, 2019, file photo, Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman warms up his team before an NCAA college football game against West Virginia in Manhattan, Kan. Kansas State football players say they will boycott all team activities until administrators create a policy that would allow a student to be expelled for “openly racist, threatening or disrespectful actions.” The move that most players announced Saturday on social media follows a tweet by a student about the death of George Floyd that prompted outrage on campus. Late Sunday, June 28, 2020, coach Chris Klieman tweeted his support: “Racism is NOT welcome at KSTATE now or in the future. ... I am excited to help every player unite for the solution NOW, so that that we can come together stronger than ever. Black Lives Matter.” (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner, File)
K-State launches diversity programs after football boycott

By Dave Skretta Jul. 01, 2020 11:44 AM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 16, 2019, file photo, Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman warms up his team before an NCAA college football game against West Virginia in Manhattan, Kan. Kansas State football players say they will boycott all team activities until administrators create a policy that would allow a student to be expelled for “openly racist, threatening or disrespectful actions.” The move that most players announced Saturday on social media follows a tweet by a student about the death of George Floyd that prompted outrage on campus. Late Sunday, June 28, 2020, coach Chris Klieman tweeted his support: “Racism is NOT welcome at KSTATE now or in the future. ... I am excited to help every player unite for the solution NOW, so that that we can come together stronger than ever. Black Lives Matter.” (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner, File)
K-State players announce boycott after student's Floyd tweet

Jun. 28, 2020 03:01 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 16, 2002, file photo, Kansas State running back Darren Sproles celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game, in Manhattan, Kan. Georgia cornerback Champ Bailey, Syracuse defensive end Dwight Freeney and Kansas State running back Darren Sproles will appear on the College Hall of Fame ballot for the first time. The National Football Foundation announced Tuesday, June 16, 2020, the 78 players and seven coaches from major college who are up for selection to the Hall of Fame. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
Bailey, Freeney debut on college Hall of Fame ballot

By The Associated Press Jun. 16, 2020 11:03 AM EDT

FILE - In this June 14, 2010, file photo, a Big 12 sign is seen outside the conference headquarters in Irving, Texas. The coronavirus pandemic has shuttered sports at all levels, but all Big 12 schools expect their campuses to be open in the fall, lending hope to the possibility that football can start on time. (AP Photo/Cody Duty, File)
Big 12 schools intend to open in fall, giving football hope

By Cliff Brunt And Stephen Hawkins May. 06, 2020 05:06 PM EDT