The Associated Press
STEPHEN F. AUSTIN at No. 20 KANSAS STATE, 7:10 p.m. (KStateHD.tv)
Line: None.
Series record: First meeting.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Kansas State flopped in its season-opener a year ago, losing to eventual FCS national champ North Dakota State. Stephen F. Austin would be pulling off an even bigger upset if the Lumberjacks can walk out of Bill Snyder Stadium with a victory. They went just 3-9 last season.
KEY MATCHUP
Jake Waters and Tyler Lockett vs. Stephen F. Austin’s secondary. The Wildcats’ pass-catch combo had some record-setting moments a year ago, and the chemistry between the seniors has only gotten better. They’ll be going against a Stephen F. Austin defense that allowed Texas Tech to rack up 61 points in a game last September.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Stephen F. Austin: RB Gus Johnson and WR Tyler Boyd. Johnson ran for 1,061 yards and 11 TDs last season, while Boyd had 79 catches for 1,183 yards and eight touchdowns.
Kansas State: Any of the running backs. John Hubert graduated after spending three years as the starter, and the Wildcats could use three or four of them as they try to settle on a starter.
FACTS & FIGURES
Bill Snyder Stadium is sold out for the 14th consecutive game. … Wildcats are 20-2 in openers under coach Bill Snyder. … Snyder is only active FBS coach to work in stadium named after him. … Clint Conque opening first season coaching Lumberjacks after spending 14 years at Southland Conference rival Central Arkansas. … Kansas State has played one team from Southland Conference, beating McNeese State 55-14 in 2003. … Wildcats have three former walk-ons who are captains in OL B.J. Finney, DE Ryan Mueller and LB Jonathan Truman. … Water completed 61.2 percent of his passes last season, fourth-best in school history. … Lockett needs 75 catches for 838 yards and nine TDs to break all three school records. … Stephen F. Austin is 0-7 against the Big 12. … Lumberjacks allowed 49.3 points and 527.8 yards of total offense per game last season.
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