Iowa State Coach Matt Campbell discloses Fear of Facing K-State QB 

As Iowa State prepares to take on Kansas State this Saturday, Cyclones head coach Matt Campbell expressed his apprehension about facing Wildcats quarterback Avery Johnson, a player known for his dynamic abilities. In his weekly press conference, Campbell highlighted Johnson’s exceptional talent as a runner and the challenges he poses to defenses.

“He’s an incredibly gifted athlete and a talented football player overall,” Campbell said. “What makes him so dangerous is his speed and athleticism. To contain him, we’ll have to rely on the lessons we’ve learned from facing other mobile quarterbacks.”

This matchup holds significant stakes, with both teams vying for a potential spot in the Big 12 Championship. For Iowa State, limiting Johnson’s impact on the game will be crucial to their chances of securing a win. Campbell emphasized the importance of executing their game plan early, saying, “We’ll need to lean on the experience we’ve built through our season to navigate the early stages of the game.”

Johnson, who has rushed for 484 yards and five touchdowns this season, showcased his playmaking ability in a standout performance against Cincinnati last week, tallying 72 yards on just 10 carries with a touchdown. Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman praised Johnson’s impact, particularly when paired with running back DJ Giddens.

“When Johnson is healthy, our offense operates at a different level,” Klieman said. “His ability to execute designed runs or read options forces defenses to spread out, which creates opportunities in the run game and opens up play-action possibilities.”

As the Cyclones and Wildcats face off, Johnson’s dual-threat capabilities will undoubtedly be a focal point in determining the game’s outcome.