MANHATTAN, Kan. ā Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman and select players met with members of the media via Zoom on Tuesday as the Wildcats prepare to host the Sunflower Showdown this Saturday against Kansas inside Bill Snyder Family Stadium. A complete transcript of Kliemanās press conference ā which was also streamed live on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ ā and players are posted below. The Wildcats and Jayhawks kick at 11 a.m., in a game televised on FS1. The game can also be heard locally on My93.1 fm, KHMY.
Watch: Chris Klieman | Harry Trotter | Briley Moore | Jahron McPherson | Wyatt Hubert Listen: Wildcats Uncut
CHRIS KLIEMAN, HEAD COACH
Opening Statement...
āGood afternoon everybody. Weāre excited to be back in game week. We had a good off week, were able to get a number of things done. We practiced the young guys quite a bit, were able to get some guys that had been practicing and playing the whole time a bit of rest. Weāre excited to get back into a routine of playing games the next few weeks. Thatās probably been the hardest thing is just making sure we have a great schedule, guys are staying fresh but also having the opportunity to improve on a daily basis. We know we have a really good Kansas team coming in here. Rivalry week is always big. It means an awful lot to our players. It means a ton to our fan base and the alumni. Weāre excited for the opportunity on Saturday.ā
On working with quarterback Will Howard on the bye week...
āWe worked with Will. We worked with Nick Ast. We worked with Jaren Lewis. Because Jaren and Nick havenāt had a ton of snaps, we worked all three of those guys and split a lot of those reps. Jaren needed them more than anybody because he hadnāt had some reps since he missed some time. We gave Will a lot of different pictures from our defense. We didnāt spend a ton of time on game planning on either side of the ball mainly because we wanted to get back to fundamentals and techniques all across the board, not just at the quarterback position, because of all the things weāve talked about ā missing so much time in camp. I know Will, and hopefully all the quarterbacks, improved and got a number of pictures. ā
On how to grade a true freshman quarterback...
āHow calm he is and that he doesnāt get ahead of himself. That heās relaxed but under control, seeing things and not guessing what heās seeing, truly seeing them. Iāve had an opportunity to sit with the quarterbacks every morning when Coach (Collin) Klein is in meetings with Coach (Courtney) Messingham and the offensive staff just to pick their brain and pick my brain. Itās been good just to see how much knowledge those three guys have and continue to gain and know that they havenāt arrived. They have so much work to do, and this is a tough thing for a young player or inexperienced player to come in at quarterback. We have to do a great job as a coaching staff to make it manageable for them too.ā
On pumping wide receiver Malik Knowles up and getting him going...
āWe have to get him some throws, probably. Maybe get him an easy catch early in the game. You just donāt ever know how itās going to go on a week-to-week basis based on where the coverage is going, what pressures theyāre showing or are we going to have success running the football or throwing it to a slot receiver or tight end or backs. Just know that your number is going to be called at some time, and you just have to continue to practice hard every day. When those opportunities come along, make the most of them.ā
On the rivalry with Kansas...
āI think itās a big rivalry. Obviously Iāve only been here for one year, but for the state of Kansas, itās a big deal. For those kids from Missouri, itās a big deal. So many of our guys know a lot of players on their team. Anytime you have teams from the same state going against each other at any level, and now you throw in Big 12 and Power 5, I think itās a big deal. I know it is. Our kids, alums and fan base and community and state, this is a big game. Our guys are excited for the opportunity.ā
On getting more receivers involved...
āEvery game is different. We didnāt have many plays against TCU. We just werenāt able to get a rhythm and sustain some drives. They play such a tight defense and great coverage. Itās something that we talk about on a daily basis with our staff. Weāre trying to find more ways to get them involved, whether itās on some jet sweeps or some reverses ā whatever it may be ā trying to get as many guys involved as we can. We also have really good tight ends. Nick (Lenners) hasnāt caught many balls. Sammy (Wheeler) hasnāt caught many balls. We have a bunch of those guys. Running backs, we have to find a way to get the ball to Harry (Trotter) and Tyler (Burns). So, itās a better problem to have in that we know weāre going to continue to improve and get better.ā
On if there are any other freshmen improving...
āI thought Jaren Lewis had a really good week. Heās a guy that was down for a while and missed a few weeks, and thatās probably where Will jumped ahead of him during fall camp. Then we lose Skylar (Thompson) and have to find another guy. Nick (Ast) has done a really good job, so we gave Jaren a bunch of reps. Jaren is a young player that hasnāt really had an opportunity for a variety of reasons, so I think he got a lot better. It was good for us to get Cooper Beebe back this week, so Cooper will be back in the fold playing. Getting Cooper back up to speed, so to speak. Keyon Mozee continues to do some really good things. Heās overshadowed a little bit by Deuce (Vaughn), but heās a really talented player that continues to improve.ā
On if running back Keyon Mozee could play some at receiver...
āYeah, potentially. 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 heās in the game. Whether we move him or Deuce (Vaughn) or any of our backs around and put them in the slot, all those things are on the table.ā
On KU running back Pooka Williams opting out of the season...
āChalk it up to 2020. Itās so difficult right now. I hope his family is doing well. I know that was one of the reasons. Often times, it galvanizes a football team when somebody leaves. We didnāt have Skylar Thompson for TCU, and I think our team really came together. KU is going to show up to compete no matter what, and theyāre going to give us their best effort for sure.ā
On the health of wide receiver Malik Knowles...
āHe missed some time during the open week with an injury but practiced Saturday full go and then practiced yesterday. Although we had a short practice, he practiced yesterday. So I envision him being healthy and available.ā
On worrying about the team overlooking KU...
āNo. Weāre 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. When we prepare really well, we put a good product out on the field. When we donāt prepare as well, we donāt put as good a product on the field. Our guys know that this game is so difficult and itās hard to win college football games. You donāt win games on Saturdays. I think you win them Monday through Friday. Our preparation has to have great focus and great energy, and the guys have to be really locked in this week.ā
On if winning this game last year helped recruiting...
āI think they all are without question. You get in-state kids or local guys or regional guys. Itās not just this game, but there are other games as well that impact your regional recruiting. You canāt think of that when youāre putting together a game plan or playing, but itās important for us to focus on the task at hand and not the outside noise or outside auxiliary things that come with this game. Our focus has to be on executing our game plan on offense, defense and (special) teams.ā
On if preparing for Kansas changes without running back Pooka Williams...
āThat will be the interesting thing to see because they havenāt been without him for many games. I canāt think of any off the top of my head. I think theyāre still going to do what they do. A dynamic player is missing, just like when we didnāt have Skylar (Thompson) and a dynamic player was missing. I think you still have to have your identity of who you are. They have plenty of players. They have really good skill kids. Iāve been impressed with all of their receivers. Their running backs are good. They run hard and are physical. The quarterbacks are athletic. So, once again, so many people put so much emphasis on what one player can do for a football team. Holy cow. You better have all 11 executing to be successful on offense and defense.ā
On the communication with Skylar Thompson...
āHe came back on Monday, and we had a really good conversation. Heās excited about helping the quarterbacks, and he was at practice yesterday and it was good. I just know those guys need his help. He sees the field so well. He sees the game. Itās slowed down for him as heās played. Heāll be a great help to those guys throughout the week and on game day.ā
On watching Deuce Vaughn on film and how quick an impression was formed...
āAbout four snaps. We said that kid can play in the Big 12 and be an impact guy. Then, you have one conversation with him and you say he has that āitā factor. Heās mature beyond his years. He has his priorities in check, and he loves the game of football. You can just tell watching the kid play how much he loves to play. So, it did not take us long to decide that he would be an exceptional football player here.ā
On how a player like Deuce Vaughn impacts the culture of the program...
āHeās a true freshman thatās playing an awful lot, but he still goes through the developmental lift with all his classmates. So does Will Howard. I think that tells you a lot right there. We need to have him make an impact, as well as Will, on that freshman class. For him to be able to go lift with those guys and to see there is a work ethic with the ability, I think that helps. Without question, heāll be someone we lean on heavily from a leadership standpoint throughout his career.ā
On who will be starting under center for KU...
āIām not sure who theyāre going to play. Thatās not my worry. We just have to prepare and watch whatever film we have on all three players and know theyāre coaching staff is a good staff. Theyāre going to put him in a position to be successful, and we may have to adapt as the game goes to what theyāre trying to hang their hat on. But, they have a really good offensive staff that is going to put him in positions to be successful.ā
On Velton Gardner at running back for KU...
āI see him carrying the football an awful lot. Heās their leading rusher, and I think heās an exceptional football player. Great downhill runner with the ability to make you miss. Doesnāt get brought down with arm tackles. Iāve been impressed with him, and thatās where I know you take a good player out of the mix, but itās going to give him more opportunities and heāll be a focal point of their offense. Weāll have to do a great job of trying to slow him down because heās a really talented player.ā
On KUās defensive improvements last week against West Virginia...
āI have not watched the game as it goes. We were practicing at the time of their game because we needed to focus on us. Iāve seen cutups, so I havenāt seen it as the game goes. Obviously, they were off to a 10-0 lead and were doing some really good things on defense. They have talent on that side of the ball, so weāre going to have our hands full with our game plans offensively and defensively and have to have great execution. We cannot turn the ball over or give up explosive plays. Thatās the formula no matter who youāre playing to have success is you hang onto the football and keep them from explosive plays.ā
On Kansas City Chiefsā coach Andy Reid talking about Byron Pringle and K-Stateās recruiting...
āHey, thanks Coach Reid. I didnāt see the game. We were out at practice, but obviously Taylor Braet was all over it and I saw it early in the evening. Thanks Coach Reid, and great job by Byron Pringle. Absolutely, thatās great help for us. Weāll take that help anytime we can get it.ā
On piecing together the secondary this year...
āWithout question, itās really helped, and I think Ekow Boye-Doe has played really good football for us. Iām excited for him because heās waited his time. He has not had an opportunity, just continued to work hard through a lot of different scenarios. He was able to get an opportunity and make the most of it. Justin Gardner has done some really good things. Weāre counting on Justin because we brought him in as a junior college transfer, but he missed all of spring ball, so you donāt just pick up our system that quickly. He was thrust into a role and has played well. Tee Denson has done some good things, a true freshman, and Kiondre Thomas, a transfer from Minnesota, has missed significant time and is back. It has helped us getting those guys some experience, and Iām excited for how those guys are playing. Coach (Van) Malone and Coach (Joe) Klanderman do a great job of emphasizing those guysā strengths, and theyāre playing hard.ā
On quarterback Jaren Lewis being resilient...
āIāve been very impressed with Jaren. Again, this goes back to the fall camp phase where we canāt talk about all the things, but he missed significant time. Thatās just hard when youāre a new player thatās missed all of spring ball. I know he was here as a true freshman, but youāre just trying to survive your true freshman year. He saw Will (Howard) doing some really good things, and he said that he wanted to learn this because Iām not far away from taking a snap. Whether itās injury or COVID, you better continue at all positions ā and in particular at quarterback ā continue to rep guys and give guys opportunities because you never know when your number is going to be called. Ekow Boye-Doe didnāt think his number was going to be called, and now heās a starting corner for us and playing at a high level. We will continue, even as we get into game prep, of taking time everyday at practice for young players or guys who havenāt played yet and setting that time aside and saying, āItās K-State offense vs. K-State defense. You guys go play, because your number is going to be called sometime this year.āā
HARRY TROTTER, SENIOR RUNNING BACK
On the importance of the rivalry against KUā¦
āYeah, I think it is definitely important. I think for all the Kansas kids being born and raised here, itās for bragging rights, itās a fun game every year ā highly competitive, very emotional game. Itās a fun game every year, and we look forward to it. Just prepare like itās a normal game for us this week.ā
On what heās seen in the improvement of Will Howardā¦
āJust his control of the offense has improved a lot. Will coming in was already a confident kid, you could tell he had a little bit of swagger to him. Just me being a senior, things I try to do are just help him with little things. Timing and pre-snap stuff and just trying to help him as much as I can. Skylar (Thompson) has done a great job helping him as well. I think heās evolved a lot just over the bye week as well.ā
On the importance he puts into the KU gameā¦
āLike I said itās always fun. I grew up a KU fan and I would have loved to play there, but that wasn't how the cards came out. Iām super thankful to be here. Every time I get the chance to play them, I just want to show them what they missed out on. Iām sure all the Kansas kids want to do that. Itās just a fun game every year, highly competitive.ā
On telling his younger teammates the importance of this gameā¦
āSome of us talked yesterday in a team meeting, some Kansas kids about just how important it was to us. We just made it for them like how Texas kids really enjoy playing UT or for Oklahoma kids like AJ (Parker) they get to play OU, and itās that type of game for us. They know how important it is, and I'm sure all of the young guys will come ready to play.ā
On the satisfaction of beating KU last yearā¦
āIt was very satisfying. I knew going into the week I was going to be leaned on a little bit more. So, I just tried to prepare the best I could. I thought, as a team last year, Monday through Friday, we had a great week of practice. We stayed away from distractions, and I think that is what helped us win that game. Itās something I will definitely remember, but the past is the past, and we have to play well again this year.ā
On the pressure of having a true freshman QB startingā¦
āA little bit, but not much. I think itās always important, especially for our offense, to get the ground game going. It opens up a lot for the offense like play-action and stuff for the quarterbacks. Iāve just been so impressed with how Will (Howard) has handled stuff. Heās been a great leader, and if I had just gotten here, I wouldāve thought that he was an older player, a veteran just because of the way he handles himself. I think the ground game going is important, but I think Will will be fine either way.ā
On the pride he takes in blockingā¦
āItās extremely important. I think one thing I do is I try to take pride in everything, whether I'm running the ball, catching the ball or pass blocking. Itās huge for us as an offense that we can have running backs that can line up in two or three back sets, and having running backs that can do different things. Itās hard to defend that. Taking pride in blocking and catching and running is just something that as running backs, we all take pride in in this offense.ā
On any special events with the Governorās cupā¦
āItās in the locker room, so everybody can see it. But, as far as I know thatās it. Itās just sitting in the locker room. So all the players can see it.ā
On if that has any effect on the playersā¦
āJust seeing you know that that is ours and we need to protect it is really the mentality we have. Seeing it everyday just reminds us of how hard we need to practice everyday and how hard we need to prepare for this game.ā
On getting the wide receivers to be more involvedā¦
āIt all just starts at practice. Having a brand new freshman quarterback, itās hard sometimes to throw the whole playbook at him. So, as Will continues to evolve, we have also had some great receivers get banged up. Itās always tough when you take a blow like that. I think that the receivers have done great this week in practice, and I think they are ready to step up. Itās just tough when you lose some guys to injuries and you know whatever it may be, but theyāll be ready.ā
On not being able to play against KU running back Pooka Williamsā¦
āYeah, that was fun last year just getting to compete against such a great running back like him. Obviously, prayers go out to him and his mother and whatever they are dealing with. I hope the best for them. Iām definitely going to miss being able to compete with him. Fortunately in the Big 12, we have so many great backs, and each week you get to compete with somebody and get a head-to-head.ā
BRILEY MOORE, SENIOR TIGHT END
On the improvement of running back Will Howardā¦
āHe came in very impressive from the jump, but his IQ is getting a little bit better and a little more comfortable, commanding the offense and in the pocket has really helped him. I'm excited to see how he continues to play because heās a fun player. For the things heās able to do at such a young age, itās very impressive.ā
On if he thinks the decision to transfer has worked out for himā¦
āItā everything I hoped it could be. Itās been absolutely amazing, from on the field to just walking around in Manhattan, the little bit we can with everything going on. Iāve been embraced by this coaching staff, the players and this community so much that itās really been amazing to me and the past few months, even to my fiancĆ© also.ā
On getting the wide receivers more catchesā¦
āThose guys are grinding. Whenever their name or their number is called, they are going to be ready. They have been ready. So, weāll just continue to keep finding ways to get guys open. Whenever you have somebody like Deuce (Vaughn) that can do all the things he can, you can try to get the ball in his hands as many times as possible, but we all just have to keep working. Whenever our number is called, be ready to step up.ā
On what heās heard about the KU rivalryā¦
āI expect their best game. Weāve seen that they play really well on the road. There is no doubt that this game is a rivalry, so both teams are going to come in here and do everything they can for a win. Obviously, this will be my first experience, but growing up in Kansas City I always knew of this game, knew these two schools, so I'm excited to be a part of it for the first time.ā
On if he felt like KU overlooked him out of high schoolā¦
āSure, without a doubt. I would like to say that I felt overlooked for a long time by any FBS program, but being so close to Lawrence, I always felt there was a little bit of motivation in not being recruited at all by them. I went to one camp and talked to their coach there, and that was it. So, there is definitely motivation in that feeling like I may have been overlooked. You can only control what you control. If I were to have been recruited by them, I wouldnāt be able to be a Wildcat right now, and my path has worked out how I liked it too.ā
On the team having a target on its backā¦
āIn a conference like this, even though we are towards the top ā tied for first whatever it is ā we still are preparing like we are underdogs. No matter who we are playing, we are taking it one day at a time. Just trying to stack as many good days throughout the week, and worry about today and not Saturday because there is a lot of room for improvement before then. Itās just stacking everyday, getting better each and every day and not worrying about rankings, not worrying about any of that and just one game at a time, one day at a time. And that has worked thus far and no matter who we play on Saturday, whether it is this rivalry game or who we are going to play. That is how we will continue to approach it.ā
On having Skylar Thompson back around practiceā¦
āItās great. I think the biggest thing is that it is great for him. To be able to be back around the guys, itās good to just have his presence back on the field. Even though heās not playing, heās standing back there, heās helping quarterbacks, heās helping wide receivers, talking through plays and schemes and stuff. Iāve been in that situation, getting injured the whole year in the first game last season. I know the lows that can bring to you no matter what your situation is. So, just being around the guys for me was very helpful. I can just see it in him when he's out there. There is no second he is not smiling, no second he is not being positive. I think that just goes to show you what type of captain, person and leader that he is.ā
JAHRON MCPHERSON, SENIOR DEFENSIVE BACK
On the rivalry with KU and why it is a big dealā¦
āI think itās just the tradition that goes into it. All of the Kansas players that we have, a lot of us take it personal that we werenāt a part of their recruiting. Some people grew up KU fans, and that hits home when your own in-state team doesnāt recruit you. I think K-State was the best fit for all of us, so thatās the biggest thing.ā
On the changes in the secondary throughout the seasonā¦
āI think Coach (Joe) Klanderman should get the most praise because he puts people in the best position to succeed. He doesnāt get the credit he deserves because heās a very smart man. He puts players in positions to succeed. Playmakers make plays.ā
On who has impressed him the most in the secondaryā¦
āTo be honest, we are really young back there. We come to work everyday, and we believe in the process. Coach (Joe) Klanderman gets us prepared every week. Honestly, Ross (Elder) has done a great job, TJ Smith has impressed me, Wayne (Jones), heās played a lot and heās young. We have a lot of guys back there that can play. Back in the secondary at nickel, we have AJ (Parker). That has been a tremendous fit for him. He has been as comfortable as ever. Itās just been really smooth sailing.ā
On the game plan changing due to KU running back Pooka Williams opting outā¦
āWe are going to treat it exactly the same. They have great backs as well. Theyāre athletes, and they compete very hard every week. We have to treat everyone the same.ā
On what the defense is expecting from Kansasā various quarterbacksā¦
āWe have no clue who we are going to see, but we are game planning like we are seeing all of them. Itās just time to go execute.ā
On how satisfying this season has beenā¦
āItās been very satisfying. Itās been a long road for me and all my hard work is paying off right now. The coaches are putting me in a great position to succeed, and I canāt thank them enough for that. My teammates, we are just staying together as a whole. I think it will all work out if we stay together and believe in the process.ā
On the impact that the limited capacity will have on the atmosphere of the gameā¦
āIn all honesty, I think all of my teammates, when we are all out there, we donāt even recognize the crowd. Itās just blocked out because we are just so tuned in on the goal at hand and that's to try and win.ā
WYATT HUBERT, JUNIOR DEFENSIVE END
On KUās interest in him during the recruitment process...
āYeah, itās kind of a similar story with Jahron (McPherson). My interest in KU and their interest in me was very small. They did come to me after Kansas State had offered me, but by then I was already set in stone coming to Kansas State.ā
On the extra motivation from the lack of interest KU had for himā¦
āYeah definitely, and growing up in Topeka and only being 30 minutes away from the university, itās kind of just a respect thing. How Kansas State came out and offered me first and had that trust and belief in me and KU really not having that was kind of a disappointment a little bit. At the end of the day, Kansas State was the place I wanted to be at. So yes, it does fire me up a little bit because theyāre only 30 minutes down the road and the interest was very little.ā
On the KU offensive lineā¦
āThey lost, I donāt know about the interior guys, but I know they graduated their two tackles, I think they were both seniors. So they have two new tackles at the left and right side. Thatās always something thatās very helpful as a defensive end is going out there and playing against someone with not much experience just because it goes against how much experience we have as a D-line versus how much experience they have as an offensive line. Iām just very confident that weāll go out there and get the job done on Saturday.ā
On how the defensive line has evolved this yearā¦
āThe thing about the defensive line, if you look across the board, everyone is disruptive, which is something that is so great. I wouldnāt say we have a single guy thatās just a guy in there to fill gaps and stop the run. Everyone is a pretty good pass rusher. Everyone does good in the run game. Everyone just knows their assignment, and thatās the most important thing about the defensive line is that all four of us, whoever is in the game, have to be on the same page, doing the same thing. Thatās something that weāre always good at and something that we practice well in practice every single week. As long as weāre all in the same page running the same stunts or the same pressures, weāre going to get to the quarterback and hit him good.ā
On an offensive lineman who is tough to face in practiceā¦
āObviously the same name comes up every time, Josh Rivas is obviously a very talented offensive guard. I know he plays inside but a few of us defensive ends play inside as well on third downs. Heās definitely the toughest offensive lineman to go against, just a very talented person. Big strong hands, big tall guy, and obviously lots of experience too. Me and Josh came in together to Kansas State, so itās always been a battle between me and him. Not only me and him, but a lot of other guys as well. It definitely makes us better as the rest of the offensive line does as well.ā
On the depth of the defensive line helping late in gamesā¦
āIt definitely make it a lot better for us. The reason weāve been playing so well on defense is because weāve been playing all four quarters for all 60 minutes. Where teams get tired, teams start to shut down in the middle third quarter and donāt finish the fourth quarter strong. So, as long as we have fresh bodies in there, the expectation for us on the defensive side of the ball is to play hard, play 100% and make sure everyone is running to the football because that just helps so much with pursuit angles and cutback lanes and all that kind of stuff. If youāre in there, youāre pretty fresh, and the expectation for you in between those white lines is to go full speed. Rotating not only us defensive ends but the corners and linebackers as well helps out with that tremendously.ā
On the other players' emerging effect on his playā¦
āYeah, definitely, and thatās the one thing about the defensive line. If you play together as a unit, it just makes your job so much easier. If one person is getting double teamed, it frees up another person on the other side of you. Thatās just one thing thatās so good because Drew Wiley is obviously very disruptive on the inside and on the run and passing game. So, they obviously focus on him a little bit more and that frees up Eli Huggins a little bit. The same scenario with us defensive ends a little bit. But like I said, the greatest thing about us up front as a defensive line, we just play hard and we always run to the ball. You have no excuse for giving good effort and a team that gives good effort and a defense that gives good effort is a dangerous defense and thatās just what we have.ā
On how the absence of KU running back Pooka Williams will affect their approachā¦
āWell, honestly, it doesnāt change the way we approach the game at all. Obviously, everyone knows he was a very explosive, dynamic player who can make plays all the time. So, the defense always steps up and does our thing. Whether heās there or not, our mindset and our approach this week at practice remains the same ā staying gap disciplined, reading our run fits and taking off on the pass and hitting the quarterback, getting pressure on the quarterback. Obviously, it does help us a little bit because he was a very good player, a very talented player, but the way we approach this week and our mindset definitely stays the same.ā
On preparing for the possibility of different quarterbacks playing for KUā¦
āWell, their freshman quarterback, heās definitely very athletic. Very similar to the rest of the Big 12 quarterbacks that weāve played. He makes a lot of plays with his feet, very athletic in the pocket, jumps around, versus the two older quarterbacks; they are more pocket-passing quarterbacks. That definitely makes it a lot easier for the defensive line to get sacks when the quarterback is a pocket passer-type of style because you donāt have to worry about the quarterback draws or the scrambles and all that kind of stuff.ā
On if the teams talks about being first in the Big 12ā¦
āNo, honestly. Thatās the whole thing Coach Klieman tries to get the point across to us. We canāt talk about what weāre ranked in the Big 12, what weāre ranked nationally. We just have to worry about today and what weāre going to do at practice today to make us better. We just take that day at a time, and I think thatās why weāve been so successful in the Big 12 with three wins because we donāt worry about Saturday, we donāt worry about the outcome or what we want the outcome to be the next day or on Saturday during gameday. We just focus on one day at a time and go out there and prepare.ā