Seeking Sweet 16: Kansas State vies to extend run in Sunflower Showdown

No. 16 Kansas State will seek its 16th straight victory over in-state rival Kansas when the teams meet in a Big 12 game Saturday night in Manhattan, Kan.While Wildcats fans will boast about the longest winning streak in the history of the Sunflower Showdown, Kansas fans will point to the fact that the Jayhawks still have won more than they have lost in the all-time series.For the coaches, those are just numbers in the past. The only thing that matters is Saturday.”Because it’s KU vs. K-State, we’re not going to have that problem this week,” Kansas State coach Chris Klieman said Monday when it was suggested his team lacked energy at the start of its game last Saturday vs. West Virginia. “Just because of the respect both programs have for each other.”That was Klieman’s way of saying the records don’t matter. The two programs aren’t fond of each other.The Jayhawks (2-5, 1-3) snapped a five-game losing streak with a 42-14 victory over Houston last Saturday. It was a relief for Kansas coach Lance Leipold.”We were able to put pressure on the quarterback,” Leipold said of the difference between Saturday’s contest and the five previous games. “We were able to create a few turnovers and get some momentum.”Offensively, we were able to take some shots and get the ball down the field.”This team has been very fragile for a while, because we’ve been so close. For us to have a win of this margin is something we’ve been waiting for.”Kansas defensive back Cobee Bryant tied a school record with three interceptions against Houston. Bryant was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week for his performance, which also included three tackles and one tackle-for-loss.The Jayhawks now must switch their focus from celebration to preparation.