Kansas State Wildcats first-year coach Collin Klein has a pretty good idea of what led to the loss against the Cincinnati Bearcats two weeks ago in the Big 12 opener.

He said it had nothing to do with game plan, talent or ability. It was just a matter of the players being unable to calm the nerves before and during the game. The Wildcats fell 31-26 but hope to get things corrected before Saturday's game against the Houston Cougars at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.

"We couldn't get that settled down," Klein said during his weekly press conference. "That was a big story of the night. Now, that experience is very, very valuable because you go through a bad possession, you have lightning strike."

The Wildcats could climb back into the Big 12 race with a victory against the Cougars, who are coming off a win against the UCF Knights. Their only loss of the season came against the defending champion Texas Tech Red Raiders.

The Wildcats are going for their first 4-1 start since 2024. That was the year when quarterback Avery Johnson was in his first year as the starter. Even with the early loss, the Wildcats still have a chance to win their first Big 12 conference title since 2022. They have a favorable schedule by avoiding Texas Tech, the BYU Cougars and Utah Utes. Also, most of their big games are at home.

HOUSTON WITHOUT KEY DEFENDER FOR SATURDAY

The Cougars will be without one of their top defenders for Saturday's game against the Wildcats.

Linebacker Jaden Yates is listed as out on the injury report for the second Big 12 game of the season for the Wildcats. He is dealing with a leg injury that occurred in the victory against the UCF Knights last week.

For the Wildcats, tight end Will Anciaux is out for the season after sustaining a lower leg injury in the loss to the Cincinnati Bearcats in the Big 12 opener at Nippert Stadium. Backup quarterback Blake Barnett is also out while quarterback Dillon Duff is listed as questionable. If Duff is unable to go, the Wildcats will only have starter Avery Johnson available at quarterback.

KLEIN EXTENDS OFFER TO SUPER YOUNG PROSPECT

Klein is once again getting an early start on a recruit.

He recently offered a scholarship to receiver Noah Gigger, who players for CarrollWood Day School in Tampa. He is a member of the 2030 recruiting class. He also has offers from Maryland, North Carolina and Syracuse.

The Wildcats are likely just getting in on the ground floor because Gigger is expected to develop into one of the nation's top prospects. He has played on the varsity team since he was 14.

Source: Yahoo Sports