Kansas State Tuesday practice report

KANSAS STATE SHARPENS FOCUS DURING THIRD PRACTICE
ARLINGTON – Execution was the theme of the day as the No. 8 Kansas State Wildcats worked on finalizing their AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic game plan during the Cats third practice at Cowboys Stadium. The Wildcats practiced foralmost three hours today, going full speed in pads.

Looming at the end of the week is a top-ten showdown against No. 6 Arkansas. The Wildcat players are beginning to lock in to their ultimate goal of a Classic championship through an intense, physical practice.

“We’re human and we make mistakes but we’re trying to get those ironed out before the ballgame,” OL B.J. Finney said. “Everybody is energized and ready to go and ready for the game. That has carried into practice.”

Much of the Wildcats (10-2, 6-2 Big 12) success can be credited to their QB Collin Klein, who was named a First Team All-Big 12 performer. Klein comes into the Classic accounting for a phenomenal 69% of KSU’s offense (1,745 yards, 1,099 yards rushing).

The Loveland, Colo. product says he’s rested after a rough season that saw him take a number of physical hits in Big 12 play. Klein and the rest of the offense are looking forward to Friday’s matchup against a physical Arkansas (10-2, 6-2 SEC) defense.

“It’s just a matter of us as players being able to execute better than Arkansas does for four quarters and hopefullycome away with a win,” Klein said.

Wildcats offensive players were the focus earlier in the day at the media hotel, as co-offensive coordinators Del Miller and Dana Dimel, as well as Finney, OL Clyde Aufner, WR Chris Harper, RB John Hubert and Klein; spoke with reporters for an hour.

Tonight the team will attend a special Beef Bowl party at Lawry’s in Dallas. Tomorrow morning both Head Coach Bill Snyder and Arkansas Head Coach Bobby Petrino will meet the media to discuss the week and the upcoming battle.

The 76th AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic will be held on Friday Jan. 6th on FOX. Telecast starts at 7 p.m. with kickoff scheduled for 7:32 p.m. Gus Johnson will handle play-by-play duties with Charles Davis as the color analyst. Tim Brewster and former Dallas Cowboys great Daryl Johnston will serve as sideline reporters.