Kansas State will turn to yet another starting quarterback when the Wildcats host Oklahoma State on Saturday.
Head coach Collin Klein announced Monday that Blake Barnett will get the start against the Cowboys, making him the fourth different quarterback to start for Kansas State in four consecutive games.
Barnett replaced Dillon Duff during Saturday’s 27-24 overtime loss at Colorado and provided a spark for the Wildcats’ offense. He completed 17 of 25 passes for 231 yards and three touchdowns, helping K-State score all 24 of its points after entering the game.
Now he’ll get the first start of his Kansas State career.
The Wildcats’ quarterback carousel began after Avery Johnson suffered an injury during the Oct. 17 win over Kansas. Johnson missed the following week’s loss at Arizona State, with Jacob Knuth getting the start in his place.
Knuth then suffered an injury against the Sun Devils, leading Kansas State to turn to Duff against Colorado. Duff struggled before Barnett took over and nearly helped the Wildcats escape Boulder with a victory.
Barnett has now completed 22 of 33 passes for 265 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions this season.
There is also at least some possibility Johnson could return against Oklahoma State.
Klein said there is an “outside chance” Johnson could be available Saturday, although Barnett will prepare as the starter regardless. Johnson has missed the last two games after starting the first six for the Wildcats.
Johnson has completed 63.1% of his passes for 1,301 yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions this season while adding 462 rushing yards and three scores.
The quarterback instability has come during a difficult stretch for Kansas State, which has lost back-to-back games to Arizona State and Colorado.
Saturday’s matchup against Oklahoma State will now give Barnett an opportunity to build on his encouraging performance in Boulder — and potentially provide some stability at a position that has suddenly become anything but stable for the Wildcats.
