On October 10, the Houston Cougars will travel to Manhattan, Kansas, to face the Kansas State Wildcats at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. The game marks a pivotal early‑season test for both programs as they look to establish momentum in their respective conferences.
The Quarterback Duel
Avery Johnson, the senior quarterback for Kansas State, is widely regarded as the most valuable player on his team. In the 2025 season he threw for 2,385 yards and 18 touchdowns while adding 477 rushing yards and eight scores on the ground.
Houston counters with senior wide receiver Amare Thomas, who posted 67 catches for 966 yards and 12 touchdowns last year. His size and route‑running ability make him a primary target for the Cougars' offense.
The Cougars' secondary has been depleted by the departure of three top cornerbacks to the NFL, creating a void that Kentrell Webb, the team's secondary leader, must fill. Webb will be charged with containing Kansas State's potent passing attack.
Kansas State has responded by bolstering its defensive backfield, adding safeties Adrian Mattox from Georgia and Koy Beasley from Miami (OH). At the same time, the program hired former Texas A&M offensive coordinator Collin Klein as its new head coach, ushering in a fresh strategic direction.
The roster also welcomes transfers Izaiah Williams and Joshua Manning, both bringing SEC experience, while former Oregon defensive lineman Ashton Porter is expected to anchor the interior line for Houston. These moves set the stage for a compelling clash of talent and strategy.