Wildcats' QB Will Howard Shares Hilarious Mike Gundy Story

Kansas State quarterback Will Howard and Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy only have had one interaction, and it was a good one.

Mike Gundy is no stranger to Will Howard as Oklahoma State is set to face Kansas State on Friday. A season ago, Howard strung together nearly 300 passing yards and four touchdowns in the air as the Wildcats defeated the Cowboys 48-0.

This wasn't the first time Howard faced off against Gundy and the Cowboys, though.

In 2020, Howard completed ten of his 21 pass attempts for 143 passing yards, with one touchdown and one interception as he was starting for Skylar Thompson, who suffered an early season injury. Of course, the Cowboys won that game 20-18.

This wouldn't be the last time Gundy and the Cowboys saw Howard before that 2022 matchup. In 2021, Thompson was hurt for the matchup and Howard shared snaps with Jaren Lewis. Howard completed four of his 12 passes for 50 yards in the Wildcats loss.

After the 2021 matchup, Gundy and Howard had their only interaction to date, and it was a good one.

"Coach Gundy actually, in 2021, when I was playing and starting that game because Skylar [Thompson] had just gotten hurt, he actually came up to me and told me he hopes that I feel better and that [they] wanted to play me soon," Howard joked. "I was like, 'He must think I'm Skylar.' That's really the only interaction I've ever had with Coach Gundy."

This quote comes with the context of Howard having been with the Wildcats for quite some time. This is Howard's fourth season at Kansas State. 

"It does feel like I've been here a long time and, you know, I'm a veteran of this place and I've seen the ups and downs, so I think that pays dividends," Howard said.

Will Howard's first (and only) interaction with Mike Gundy was unusual. He was starting in 2021 while Skylar was hurt.

"He came up to me and told me he hopes I feel better and he wanted to play me soon.... I was like 'He must think I'm Skylar?'" 😂@whoward_ & the 'Cats… pic.twitter.com/6w2kChNuXC

— Glenn Kinley (@glenn_kinley) October 3, 2023

It'll be interesting to see how Howard matches up against Oklahoma State this year. Both teams look different this time around, and this game holds plenty of stakes for the 2-2 Cowboys who dangerously need to get back on track.

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