Kansas State will officially be down to either Dillon Duff or Blake Barnett at quarterback against Colorado on Saturday.
Jacob Knuth has been downgraded to out on the latest Big 12 availability report, according to the Manhattan Mercury. Knuth joins starting quarterback Avery Johnson on the sideline, leaving the Wildcats with their third different starting quarterback in as many games.
Johnson has already been ruled out for the second consecutive week after missing last Saturday’s 28-17 loss at Arizona State.
Knuth made his first career start in Johnson’s place against the Sun Devils, completing 26 of 41 passes for 194 yards and a touchdown while also adding a rushing score. However, Knuth battled through ankle injuries during the game and was initially listed as doubtful for Saturday’s trip to Boulder.
Now he’s officially out.
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That leaves Kansas State head coach Collin Klein with a choice between Barnett and Duff.
Barnett has at least some college experience. He appeared in four games last season, primarily as a change-of-pace running quarterback, and saw action in Kansas State’s season opener against Nicholls this year before suffering an injury.
Duff, meanwhile, has yet to appear in a college game. The sophomore was reportedly in contention to become Kansas State’s primary backup quarterback before suffering an injury during preseason camp.
Regardless of who gets the call, it’s an incredible run of quarterback injuries for a Kansas State team desperately trying to get its season back on track.
The Wildcats enter Saturday’s game at 4-3 overall and 1-3 in Big 12 play after losing three of their last four games. Colorado is 2-5 overall and still looking for its first conference victory.
