Health along the defensive line

Kansas State was without a few expected contributors along the defensive line last week with defensive end Ryan Davis and defensive tackle Malcolm Alcorn-Crowder. Both will be back at some point for K-State, but it is unknown whether it will be this week or next week just yet. Alcorn-Crowder is back at practice while Davis is getting closer and closer to being ready.

Assessing the secondary last week

The Wildcats also had a lot of new faces in the secondary in Dublin facing Iowa State. Four of the five defensive backs were new starters from a season ago, with a few seeing their first real game action in a Kansas State uniform. Kansas State defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman was extremely complimentary of Wesley Fair calling him a major competitor and not surprised he rose to the occasion Saturday.

Klanderman was also pleased with his starting corners Zashon Rich and Donovan McIntosh. Both made plays in their first conference games playing major snaps, but both also had some plays they wanted back after the game. True freshman safety Logan Bartley played 15 snaps in Ireland and was a steady presence which is great for a true freshman in a game of that magnitude.

Change to the 4 man front

Last week was also the debut of Kansas State going back to a four man front. According to Klanderman, the change was something he had thought about going back to last season. He thought there were too many good players on the defensive line to keep on the sideline last season and made the change this season.

Klanderman also discussed part of the reason for the change is good protection beating good coverage. Too many times in 2023 and 2024, K-State got beat because in a three man front they were unable to get home just sending three and the coverage would break down. That led to the Wildcats blitzing more and more. With the four man front, the goal is to blitz less and play more zone coverage and allows Kansas State to be more multiple in coverage.