MANHATTAN, Kan. — The question told you everything you needed to know about the Dillons Sunflower Showdown in 2020.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/coaches.aspx?rc=1510">Chris Klieman</a>&nbsp;was asked if he was worried about No. 20&nbsp;Kansas State overlooking Kansas when the Jayhawks arrive in Manhattan for Saturday's 11 a.m. kickoff.&nbsp; Klieman's answer might have revealed even more about the attitude that's pushed a K-State team picked to finish seventh in the Big 12 media poll to a share of first place in the conference.&nbsp; "No. We're not good enough to overlook anybody. Our kids know that. Our guys have to play their tail off to have an opportunity and continue to prepare," Klieman said. "When we prepare really well, we put a good product out on the field. When we don't prepare as well, we don't put as good of a product on the field." K-State has won the last 11 matchups with Kansas, the longest winning streak by either team in the rivalry's 117-year history. Their matchup this season will feature a winless Kansas team for the first time since 2015 and the highest-ranked K-State team since the schools faced off in 2014.&nbsp; Klieman's players didn't give their head coach any reason to worry about searching for extra motivation on Saturday. <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7372">Harry Trotter</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7351">Jahron McPherson</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7333">Wyatt Hubert</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7559">Briley Moore</a>&nbsp;grew up within driving distance of Lawrence. All four players said that during their recruiting process, the phone calls from the Jayhawks were few and far between. "I would like to say that I felt overlooked for a long time by any FBS program," Moore said. "But you know, being so close to Lawrence, I always felt there was a little bit of motivation in not being recruited at all by them." Unpacking the Offense <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7390">Will Howard</a>&nbsp;will start his second game of the season against the Jayhawks and his first since the team announced that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7371">Skylar Thompson</a>&nbsp;will miss the remainder of the 2020 season. Klieman said that Thompson returned to the program after season-ending surgery during the bye week and was back at practice on Monday. "I just know those guys need his help," Kllieman said. "He sees the field so well. He sees the game. It's slowed down for him as he's played. He'll be a great help to those guys throughout the week and on game day." Howard is stepping into an offense that features the nation's leader in yards per reception, which still feels like a strange way to introduce freshman running back&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7565">Deuce Vaughn</a>.&nbsp; But&nbsp;Vaughn has thrived as a slot receiver this season, something Klieman mused could be an opportunity to create additional touches for fellow freshman running back&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7560">Keyon Mozee</a>. "Just trying to spoon feed him in small doses being a young player, but we have a lot of two and three-back sets where he's in the game," Klieman said. "Whether we move him or Deuce or any of our backs around and put them in the slot, all those things are on the table." Receivers Past and Present K-State got some national buzz from Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, after former Wildcat Byron Pringle hauled in a 37-yard catch to help put away Buffalo on Monday night. "He did a great job. He always seems to come up with one big one when he's out there," Reid said. "Great for him and great for Kansas State's recruiting." Klieman said he would take all the help he could get on the recruiting trail, before answering a few questions about his receivers in Manhattan this season, including&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7342">Malik Knowles</a>. "Maybe get him an easy catch early in the game. You just don't ever know how it's going to go on a week-to-week basis based on where the coverage is going," Klieman said. "Just know that your number is going to be called." <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7559">Briley Moore</a>&nbsp;had a similar outlook. The Northern Iowa transfer leads the Wildcats in receptions with 14 catches this season, giving the offense a valuable boost from the tight end spot.&nbsp; "Those guys are grinding. Whenever their name or their number is called, they are going to be ready," he said. "Whenever you have somebody like Deuce that can do all the things he can, you try to get the ball in his hands as many times as possible." One sign those&nbsp;numbers could begin to improve? K-State has three of the Big 12 leaders in receiving yards per reception in 2020, with Vaughn, Moore and wide receiver&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7370">Chabastin Taylor</a>. If the Wildcats can continue to unlock a talented group of wideouts, expect the offense to reach another level this season. "We're trying to find more ways to get them involved, whether it's on some jet sweeps or some reverses, whatever it may be, trying to get as many guys involved as we can," Klieman said. "It's a better problem to have in that we know we're going to continue to improve and get better."&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏈 K-State Football Notebook – Kansas Week