Kansas State Understands Threat Posed By Oklahoma State Standout Ollie Gordon

Sep 21, 2024; Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys running back Ollie Gordon II (0) on the field during the fourth quarter against the Utah Utes at Boone Pickens Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images
Sep 21, 2024; Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys running back Ollie Gordon II (0) on the field during the fourth quarter against the Utah Utes at Boone Pickens Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images / William Purnell-Imagn Images

It's impossible for the Kansas State Wildcats and coach Chris Klieman to not put an emphasis on slowing down Ollie Gordon.

Gordon, the Oklahoma State standout running back, is widely regarded as one of the best in collegiate football. Although Gordon is the focal point of the Cowboys' offense, Klieman understands the threat posed by experienced quarterback Alan Bowman and the passing game.

"It's really difficult because Ollie Gordon is so good," Klieman said. "You have to try and control him, and if you do commit more people, it's a pretty simple game with them. If you're going to commit a lot of guys to the run, which teams have, they're going to throw the football against you, and I think they're throwing for an awful lot of yards, and their wide receivers are talented and [have] been around there for a while, so they know their system."

Klieman made apparent his defense does not intend on committing all their efforts to stopping Gordon. Instead, the Wildcats will seemingly live with some of his dominant rushes to prevent a dominant day through the air.

"We have to do a good job of knowing what we're going to give them and limit that because you can't say we're going to take away the run," Klieman shared. "Well, they're going to throw it for 375. It'll be a big challenge for us."


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Anthony Pasciolla is a contributing writer to K-State On SI. He can be reached at ampasciolla@gmail.com or followed on X @AnthonyPasci.

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Anthony Pasciolla
ANTHONY PASCIOLLA

Anthony Pasciolla is a sports journalist who began covering the NBA in June 2023. A Philadelphia native, Anthony has experience covering the Philadelphia 76ers as a credentialed reporter. He has written for Miami Heat, Back In The Day Hoops, Kansas State Wildcats, and Illinois Fighting Illini on Sports Illustrated. His work also includes 76ers coverage for The Sporting News and previous stories for Athlon Sports and BasketballNews. When he’s not covering the NBA, you can find him spending time with friends and family or diving into the world of fantasy football. Follow him on X @AnthonyPasci or reach him via email at ampasciolla@gmail.com