Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid Quotes

OPENING STATEMENT:&nbsp;“So, (I) had a chance to look at the tape and evaluate it. Obviously, (we have) plenty of things to work on, which is a good thing if you’re coming off of a win. We know there’s some things there that we need to do a better job with, especially playing a good Chargers team this week. I would tell you the same things that I told you last night, as far as the people that had the good games. There were some guys that really played well. I started with (Nick) Bolton just getting the wind knocked out of him and then sneaking back in there and making a big play like that was tremendous at the end (of the game) there. Maybe the best thing that took place was (that) nobody was pointing fingers, or everybody was supporting each other (and) working their way through. That’s happened, really, the last three games in these tight games, knowing that you’re going to get people’s best shot (and) you know you’re going to have to take it (the game) right down to four quarters. With that, (Carson) Steele had a nice day with 17 carries for 72 yards. I thought Rashee (Rice) played well. (He) had over 100 yards in receptions. Again, there were things that – all of these guys, we can all do better here - myself included. There were some positives that you could take out of this thing. It’s always good to get a win. Wins are hard to get in the National Football League, so when you start criticizing wins, there are a lot of variables that go into it. We’re finding a way right now, but we’ve got to clean it up and play better football. So, anyways, with that, time’s yours.”

Q: Patrick Mahomes was pretty critical of himself after the game last night. What are you seeing from him?

REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, listen, he’s (Patrick Mahomes) a phenomenal player and I thought he just kind of got into a rhythm (in) the second half and a lot of that’s my responsibility to get him into that rhythm earlier. We’ll go back and discuss all that and get that taken care of. I thought he really hit it well the second half there and had some beautiful throws – that throw to (Travis) Kelce on the deep cross and the throw to Rashee (Rice) – same route, two different throws though. It was spot on there but anyway,&nbsp; he ended up finishing well. We kind of botched up the last play when we weren’t trying to kill (the clock) – when we were coming out of the endzone there offensively. We had a missed route there. Other than that – listen, there are a bunch of things that we – like I said, we can clean up, but he’ll be alright.”

Q: You’ve had to kick short field goals the last couple of weeks. What’s it going to take to get the ball into the endzone?

REID:&nbsp;“It’s tough to win games like that in this league, (when) you’re just scoring three points. You get down in there (on the goal line), you’ve got to get it in (to the endzone). We’ve chose to run the ball a little bit down there and then we did have a turnover in that area, so we’ve got to do better with that – when we were throwing the ball.”

Q: What is it like for you in the last minute of all these close games?

REID:&nbsp;“Listen, I don’t think you get used to it. You don’t want it to come down to that. You’re trying to score as many points as you obviously can, but we’re – that’s how things go. The trust that the guys have in each other – I know that’s easy to say, but when you actually have that, the guys know that something good is going to happen because it’s very important, but you surely don’t want it to come down to that.”

Q:&nbsp;What have you seen from Patrick Mahomes’ footwork, and do you think he’s relying too much on his arm?

REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, I think – listen, I think he’ll (Patrick Mahomes) be fine there. Just getting him in rhythm, I think, is the important thing. That encompasses all of that stuff – the footwork and the knee bend and his drop and so on, and then the more we secure things up front, also helps. He came off a game where he had to get the ball out quickly last week with the pressure that was on him, but I thought the offensive line did a nice job here and I think Pat (Mahomes) will see that and that also helps (the) situation.”

Q:&nbsp;What did you see from Patrick Mahomes’ interception?

REID:&nbsp;“Well, we should’ve had the protection for him (Patrick Mahomes). We botched the protection or that’s a touchdown right there.”

Q:&nbsp;Where is Xavier Worthy now in the nuances of the offense?

REID:&nbsp;“He’s (Xavier Worthy) doing a great job with that. I pulled off on a couple of the routes just with some of the things they were doing, but he had a number of routes there in the first 15. I just chose to pull off of him because of what they were doing. But he can – he’s doing a nice job for us. He’ll have other games here where he has more grabs. He did a nice job with the quick game stuff that we were using him on.”

Q:&nbsp;What was your assessment on Wanya Morris, and can we expect to see him starting for the foreseeable future?

REID:&nbsp;“Listen, I thought Wanya (Morris) did some good things in there, so we’ll probably stick with that same thing. You saw where Kingsley (Suamataia) rotated in and played some tight end in that, so he was able to get some good reps in there. Again, Wanya had the good reps at the left tackle spot. Do they both have stuff to work on? Yes (laughs). We’ll keep – they’re young guys in a tough position with a tough go here and they’ve got another good one coming here this week that they have to prep for – a couple good ones. We have to make sure we keep growing but they’re surely getting tested early.”

Q: Is it ideal for Rashee Rice to get that many targets or would you like to spread the ball around even more?

REID: “I mentioned to you how Rashee’s (Rice) game goes is kind of how (Travis) Kelce’s goes so what they’re doing is they’re working hard to take Kelce out of the picture. Kelce is going, ‘Hey listen, if they’re going to do that then Rashee is going to get a lot of catches.’ He knows that, but somewhere that levels off and that play he did the second half and Kelce’s catch numbers went up there. Rashee is – he’s a force in there, he’s a good football player and he’s tough when he has the ball in his hands so I’m sure he’ll be getting a lot more attention as we go.”

Q: You referenced the stopped route that Xavier Worthy had on that last drive near the endzone. How much of that is still due to the young receivers and Patrick Mahomes trying to build the chemistry?

REID: “Yeah that actually wasn’t him (Xavier Worthy), that was his compadre (who) ran the wrong route, so he stopped so he didn’t run into him. Listen, Pat (Patrick Mahomes) checked to a play there and the communication got a little mixed up, so one of the routes wasn’t the right route. It wasn’t his (fault).”

Q: How important is it when your defense is able to stop the lead running back on the other team?

REID: “Yeah no, that kid (Falcons RB Bijan Robinson) is a heck of a runner, they’ve got two good runners. I thought we stepped up and did a nice job there. Up front, I started naming off the guys last night but I mean it’s really all of them collectively. That whole front seven is just doing a nice job of – and the safeties too were being accurate with our tackles there and physical which has been good.”

Q: With last night’s win, you won your 131st&nbsp;regular season game with the Chiefs, surpassing your regular season wins with the Eagles (130) as a head coach. What does this mean to you?

Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid QuotesSeptember 23, 2024HEAD COACH ANDY REIDOPENING STATEMENT:&nbsp;“So, (I) had a chance to look at the tape and evaluate it. Obviously, (we have) plenty of things to work on, which is a good thing if you’re coming off of a win. We know there’s some things there that we need to do a better job with, especially playing a good Chargers team this week. I would tell you the same things that I told you last night, as far as the people that had the good games. There were some guys that really played well. I started with (Nick) Bolton just getting the wind knocked out of him and then sneaking back in there and making a big play like that was tremendous at the end (of the game) there. Maybe the best thing that took place was (that) nobody was pointing fingers, or everybody was supporting each other (and) working their way through. That’s happened, really, the last three games in these tight games, knowing that you’re going to get people’s best shot (and) you know you’re going to have to take it (the game) right down to four quarters. With that, (Carson) Steele had a nice day with 17 carries for 72 yards. I thought Rashee (Rice) played well. (He) had over 100 yards in receptions. Again, there were things that – all of these guys, we can all do better here - myself included. There were some positives that you could take out of this thing. It’s always good to get a win. Wins are hard to get in the National Football League, so when you start criticizing wins, there are a lot of variables that go into it. We’re finding a way right now, but we’ve got to clean it up and play better football. So, anyways, with that, time’s yours.”Q: Patrick Mahomes was pretty critical of himself after the game last night. What are you seeing from him?REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, listen, he’s (Patrick Mahomes) a phenomenal player and I thought he just kind of got into a rhythm (in) the second half and a lot of that’s my responsibility to get him into that rhythm earlier. We’ll go back and discuss all that and get that taken care of. I thought he really hit it well the second half there and had some beautiful throws – that throw to (Travis) Kelce on the deep cross and the throw to Rashee (Rice) – same route, two different throws though. It was spot on there but anyway,&nbsp; he ended up finishing well. We kind of botched up the last play when we weren’t trying to kill (the clock) – when we were coming out of the endzone there offensively. We had a missed route there. Other than that – listen, there are a bunch of things that we – like I said, we can clean up, but he’ll be alright.”Q: You’ve had to kick short field goals the last couple of weeks. What’s it going to take to get the ball into the endzone?REID:&nbsp;“It’s tough to win games like that in this league, (when) you’re just scoring three points. You get down in there (on the goal line), you’ve got to get it in (to the endzone). We’ve chose to run the ball a little bit down there and then we did have a turnover in that area, so we’ve got to do better with that – when we were throwing the ball.”Q: What is it like for you in the last minute of all these close games?REID:&nbsp;“Listen, I don’t think you get used to it. You don’t want it to come down to that. You’re trying to score as many points as you obviously can, but we’re – that’s how things go. The trust that the guys have in each other – I know that’s easy to say, but when you actually have that, the guys know that something good is going to happen because it’s very important, but you surely don’t want it to come down to that.”Q:&nbsp;What have you seen from Patrick Mahomes’ footwork, and do you think he’s relying too much on his arm?REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, I think – listen, I think he’ll (Patrick Mahomes) be fine there. Just getting him in rhythm, I think, is the important thing. That encompasses all of that stuff – the footwork and the knee bend and his drop and so on, and then the more we secure things up front, also helps. He came off a game where he had to get the ball out quickly last week with the pressure that was on him, but I thought the offensive line did a nice job here and I think Pat (Mahomes) will see that and that also helps (the) situation.”Q:&nbsp;What did you see from Patrick Mahomes’ interception?REID:&nbsp;“Well, we should’ve had the protection for him (Patrick Mahomes). We botched the protection or that’s a touchdown right there.”Q:&nbsp;Where is Xavier Worthy now in the nuances of the offense?REID:&nbsp;“He’s (Xavier Worthy) doing a great job with that. I pulled off on a couple of the routes just with some of the things they were doing, but he had a number of routes there in the first 15. I just chose to pull off of him because of what they were doing. But he can – he’s doing a nice job for us. He’ll have other games here where he has more grabs. He did a nice job with the quick game stuff that we were using him on.”Q:&nbsp;What was your assessment on Wanya Morris, and can we expect to see him starting for the foreseeable future?REID:&nbsp;“Listen, I thought Wanya (Morris) did some good things in there, so we’ll probably stick with that same thing. You saw where Kingsley (Suamataia) rotated in and played some tight end in that, so he was able to get some good reps in there. Again, Wanya had the good reps at the left tackle spot. Do they both have stuff to work on? Yes (laughs). We’ll keep – they’re young guys in a tough position with a tough go here and they’ve got another good one coming here this week that they have to prep for – a couple good ones. We have to make sure we keep growing but they’re surely getting tested early.”Q: Is it ideal for Rashee Rice to get that many targets or would you like to spread the ball around even more?REID: “I mentioned to you how Rashee’s (Rice) game goes is kind of how (Travis) Kelce’s goes so what they’re doing is they’re working hard to take Kelce out of the picture. Kelce is going, ‘Hey listen, if they’re going to do that then Rashee is going to get a lot of catches.’ He knows that, but somewhere that levels off and that play he did the second half and Kelce’s catch numbers went up there. Rashee is – he’s a force in there, he’s a good football player and he’s tough when he has the ball in his hands so I’m sure he’ll be getting a lot more attention as we go.”Q: You referenced the stopped route that Xavier Worthy had on that last drive near the endzone. How much of that is still due to the young receivers and Patrick Mahomes trying to build the chemistry?REID: “Yeah that actually wasn’t him (Xavier Worthy), that was his compadre (who) ran the wrong route, so he stopped so he didn’t run into him. Listen, Pat (Patrick Mahomes) checked to a play there and the communication got a little mixed up, so one of the routes wasn’t the right route. It wasn’t his (fault).”Q: How important is it when your defense is able to stop the lead running back on the other team?REID: “Yeah no, that kid (Falcons RB Bijan Robinson) is a heck of a runner, they’ve got two good runners. I thought we stepped up and did a nice job there. Up front, I started naming off the guys last night but I mean it’s really all of them collectively. That whole front seven is just doing a nice job of – and the safeties too were being accurate with our tackles there and physical which has been good.”Q: With last night’s win, you won your 131st&nbsp;regular season game with the Chiefs, surpassing your regular season wins with the Eagles (130) as a head coach. What does this mean to you?

Chiefs Quotes: 10-23-24

Game 5 20/20&nbsp;Oklahoma State at&nbsp;23/25&nbsp;K-State Date: Saturday, September 28, 2024 Kickoff: 11 a.m. Location: Manhattan, Kan. Stadium: Bill Snyder Family Stadium (50,000) Series: Oklahoma State Leads, 43-27 TV: ESPN (<a href="https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/id/eec1d723-7be7-466f-afb4-1a2bc99a677b" target="_blank">watch</a>) Bob Wischusen (Play-by-Play) Louis Riddick (Analyst) Kris Budden (Sidelines) Radio: K-State Sports Network;&nbsp;<a href="http://k-statesports.com/" target="_blank">k-statesports.com</a>&nbsp;(<a href="http://www.kstatesports.com/watch" target="_blank">Listen</a>) &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Wyatt Thompson (Play-by-Play)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Stan Weber (Analyst) &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Matt Walters (Sidelines) National Radio: Westwood One &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Nate Gatter (Play-by-Play)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Derek Rackley (Analyst) SiriusXM Satellite Radio Ch. 82, and on the SiriusXM App <a href="https://tunein.com/radio/Big-12-Radio-s329464/" target="_blank">Big 12 Radio on TuneIn</a> X Updates: @KStateFB and @KStateStatsInfo

THE TOP 51)&nbsp;K-State is looking to bounce back from a tough road defeat at BYU as the 23rd-ranked Wildcats return home to face No. 20 Oklahoma State on Saturday inside Bill Snyder Family Stadium. The Wildcats' Big 12 home opener will kick at 11 a.m., and be broadcast on ESPN with Bob Wischusen (play-by-play), Louis Riddick (analyst) and Kris Budden (sideline) on the call.

2)&nbsp;In the midst of his first season as the starting quarterback, Avery Johnson has completed 61.1% of his passes (58-of-95) for 620 yards and six touchdowns. He has rushed for 261 yards on 39 carries, including a 110-yard effort against Arizona. He was the fifth sophomore signal caller – and just the second true sophomore – to start a season opener since 1990 when he did so against UT Martin.

3)&nbsp;Alongside Johnson in the backfield is running back DJ Giddens, who has rushed for 417 yards and a touchdown on 68 carries to go along with seven receptions for 69 yards and another score. Sophomore Dylan Edwards has also burst onto the scene, averaging 8.5 yards per carry on 21 attempts. Edwards has two rushing touchdowns, one receiving score and a 71-yard punt return score in four games.

4)&nbsp;The experience of the Wildcats resides on defense as the unit brought back eight starters from last year, including five of its top six tacklers from a year ago. Ten Wildcats have recorded 10 or more total tackles through four games led by Austin Romaine’s 27. Brendan Mott has 4.0 sacks to tie for 12th nationally and second in the Big 12. As a unit, the Cats have 31 tackles for loss and 12 sacks on the year.

5)&nbsp;Kicker Chris Tennant is back for his senior campaign and enters this week’s contest in the top 10 in school history in six career categories. The Wildcats’ new punter, Simon McClannan, has averaged 43.4 yards per punt this season and landed three inside the 20-yard line. Additionally, a plethora of options are available at both kickoff and punt return, including Edwards.

STATISTICAL SPOTLIGHTS67&nbsp;– Turnovers produced by K-State since 2021, the second-most among active Big 12 teams and tied for 10th among Power 4 teams.

62&nbsp;– Number of combined kick and punt return touchdowns by the Cats since 2005, the most in the nation.

31&nbsp;– Tackles for loss by the Wildcats through four games this season, which ranks 14th nationally and tops in the Big 12.

16&nbsp;– Current sellout streak at Bill Snyder Family Stadium heading into Saturday's game with Oklahoma State.

15&nbsp;– K-State's national ranking this week in both rushing offense (240.3 ypg) and rushing defense (83.3 ypg).

• K-State holds a 17-11 record all-time in its initial Big 12 home game of the season.

• Under head coach Chris Klieman, K-State is 3-2 in Big 12 home openers, including wins in each of the last two seasons.

• Last year in its Big 12 opener, running back DJ Giddens ran for 207 yards and four touchdowns in addition to catching eight passes for 86 yards in K-State's 44-31 victory over UCF.

• Kansas State has totaled 139 Big 12 victories since the conference’s formation in 1996, which stands as the most among active Big 12 programs.

• The Cats are also second among active Big 12 members in winning percentage since non-divisional play began in 2011. They sit at 59.3% (70-48), trailing only Oklahoma State (65.2%; 77-41).

• During that stretch, the Wildcats are 39-20 (66.1%) at home in Big 12 play and 31-28 (52.5%) on the road.

• K-State has a total of 225 victories since 1996, which is tied for 21st nationally.

• Among active Big 12 teams, the Wildcats rank fourth behind BYU (232), Utah (232) and TCU (231).

• Over the last 14 seasons, the Wildcats have won at least seven games 12 times.

• Kansas State has a strong history of being in the postseason, having advanced to a bowl game 24 times since 1993, including 12 times in the last 14 years.

• K-State’s 24 bowl trips since 1993 are tied for second among active Big 12 teams with BYU and just behind West Virginia (25).

• In an era when over 80 teams play in a bowl game each year, the Cats are one of just 16 Power 4 teams to play in a bowl game at least 12 times in the last 14 years.

• K-State is riding a streak of three-straight years of at least eight wins, its longest since 2011 (10), 2012 (11), 2013 (8) and 2014 (9).

• The Wildcats are the only returning Big 12 team with at least eight wins in each of the last three seasons and one of 13 Power 4 programs to claim that feat.

• K-State has 30 wins since 2021, which ranks third among active Big 12 teams behind Oklahoma State and Utah with 32 wins apiece 32.

• For the second-straight season, Kansas State entered a season ranked in both the Associated Press Top 25 and the Coaches Poll as they checked in at No. 18 and No. 17, respectively.

• It marked the first time the Wildcats were ranked in the Preseason AP Top 25 in consecutive years since 2003 and 2004.

• Last season, K-State entered the year No. 16 in the AP Top 25 and No. 17 in the Coaches Poll.

• Kansas State checks in at No. 23 in this week's Associated Press Top 25 as the Wildcats have been ranked in all five AP polls this year.

• It is the first time Kansas State has been ranked in the first five AP polls of a season since appearing in all 17 polls in 2014.

• K-State has been ranked in the AP Top 25 on 236 occasions since 1993, the most among active Big 12 teams and ranked 22nd nationally.

• Kansas State was ranked No. 25 in the final College Football Playoff Top 25 of 2023, marking the 12th-straight time the Cats were ranked in the CFP Top 25. That figure enters the 2024 season tied for the sixth-longest active streak.

• K-State was more busy than usual scouting the opponents on its schedule during the spring and summer months as the Wildcats are only playing four foes from last year’s schedule – Houston, Iowa State, Kansas and Oklahoma State – in 2024.

• It is the Wildcats’ fewest amount of carryover opponents from one year to the next since only three rematches from the 1918 season to the 1919 season (Baker, Kansas and Iowa State).

• Additionally, half of the Wildcats’ schedule is against teams in which they have not faced in at least 10 years, if ever. Those are UT Martin (First Meeting), Arizona (1978), BYU (1997), Colorado (2010), Arizona State (2002) and Cincinnati (1996).

• A proven winner with a championship history, Chris Klieman holds a 114-38 career record, as his 75.0% career winning percentage ranks fourth among current FBS coaches that have led programs for at least 10 seasons. He is also one of just 16 current Power 4 head coaches with at least 100 victories.

• Klieman, who is 42-25 (62.7%) since arriving at K-State, has led the Cats to five victories over teams ranked in the top 10 of the Associated Press Top 25, which is the most of any active Big 12 program since 2019. Next on the list is Utah with four, followed by Baylor, Oklahoma State and TCU with three apiece.

• Kansas State ranked in the top 10 nationally in turnover margin each of the last two years as the Wildcats finished eighth in 2022 and fifth in 2023.

• It was the first time K-State finished in the top 10 in consecutive seasons since 2011 (9th) and 2012 (3rd).

• Over the final seven weeks of the regular season and bowl season, K-State forced a nation-leading 19 turnovers (11 interceptions, eight fumbles) while only committing five (three interceptions, two fumbles).

• K-State is on the same early-season trajectory so far in 2024 as it is minus-1 in turnover margin to rank 93rd nationally.

• K-State is the nation’s best in non-offensive touchdowns over the last 25-plus seasons as it has 134 since 1999, nine more than the next closest team (Alabama – 125).

• K-State has recorded three non-offensive touchdowns this season with a Ty Bowman blocked punt against UT Martin that was returned one yard for a score by Colby McCalister in addition to a Jack Fabris 60-yard fumble return at Tulane. Dylan Edwards then added a 71-yard punt return touchdown against No. 20 Arizona.

• It was the longest streak of games with a non-offensive touchdown since the final three games of the 2019 season, while it was the first time K-State had a non-offensive touchdown in each of the first three games of a season since 2002.

• Kansas State rallied from a 20-10 halftime deficit at Tulane to take a 34-27 win in New Orleans.

• The win was the first since last year’s KU game when trailing at halftime and also marked the first time since the 2021 Texas Tech game that the Wildcats rallied from a double-digit halftime deficit to win as they trailed 24-10 at half in that contest.

• K-State’s six players, as voted by their teammates, to serve as captains in 2024 are quarterback Avery Johnson, offensive lineman Hadley Panzer, linebacker Austin Moore, defensive ends Brendan Mott and Cody Stufflebean, and safety Marques Sigle.

• Of the six captains, five are seniors and four hail from the state of Kansas. Both of those lists include Moore, a former walk-on who is a captain for a second-straight season. Mott is another former walk-on who is serving as captain.

• Johnson is just the 10th sophomore captain in program history, joining Brooks Barta (1990), Mark Simoneau (1997), Terry Pierce (2001), Josh Freeman (2007), Alex Hrebec (2009), Collin Klein (2010), B.J. Finney (2012), Dalton Risner (2016) and Wyatt Hubert (2019).

• With the entire six-game 2024 home slate trending toward being sold out, K-State is currently riding a streak of 16-consecutive sellouts dating back to the beginning of 2022.

• Kansas State is one of only three schools in the nation to rank in the top 20 of percentage of capacity filled each of the last 10 seasons, joining Ohio State and Oklahoma.

• So far this year, K-State ranks 12th nationally by filling its stadium to 102.53% capacity.

OFFENSIVE NOTESNEW OFFENSIVE STRUCTURE

• K-State’s offense has new faces at the front of room as Conor Riley, the offensive line coach the last five seasons, will call plays for the first time in his career, while K-State hired former Utah State and Texas Tech head coach Matt Wells to serve as co-offensive coordinator, QB coach and associate head coach.

• Riley was the interim offensive coordinator in K-State’s 28-19 victory over NC State in the 2023 Pop-Tarts Bowl, a game in which the Wildcats amassed 257 rushing yards and 435 total yards on a Wolfpack defense that entered bowl season ranking No. 16 and No. 25 in those categories, respectively.

• Wells, who boasts nine years of head coaching experience, came to Manhattan after spending the last two years at Oklahoma as an advisor to head coach/offensive analyst. In addition to coaching quarterbacks during his 27-year coaching career, Wells has also spent time tutoring wide receivers and tight ends.

TOTAL OFFENSE• K-State has totaled at least 375 yards of offense in 25 of the last 31 games dating back to the beginning of the 2022 season. During that stretch, the Cats held a 10-game streak against Big 12 foes with 375 or more yards, the longest in school history.TWENTY-EIGHT IS GREAT• K-State had scored 28 or more points in 11-straight games dating back to last season prior to last week's loss at BYU. It was the longest streak of 28-point games since the 1998-99 seasons when the Cats did so in 16 consecutive games.RUSHING ATTACK• Kansas State is averaging 240.3 yards per game on the ground this season, a figure that ranks 15th nationally and second in the Big 12 Conference.

• The Cats have rushed for 215 yards or more in each game this season, including 283 yards in the opener against UT Martin.

• Four players have had at least 10 rushing attempts and each average at least 5.0 yards per carry.RED ZONE SUCCESS• K-State was one of the nation’s leaders in turning red-zone trips into touchdowns during the 2023 season, as the Cats ranked second nationally by finding paydirt on 78.46% percent of their red-zone possessions (51-of-65).

• K-State just narrowly finished behind Oregon State by 0.11% and would have led the nation had the Cats not been in the red zone when taking a knee to close out the Pop-Tarts Bowl win.

• The 2024 season opened with a continuation of red-zone success under Chris Klieman, as the Wildcats rank first among active Big 12 programs by scoring on 90.6% (240-of-265) of their overall red-zone trips since 2019 with 177 touchdowns.NOT LACKING IN EXPERIENCE• Although the offensive line lost four starters from a year, the starting unit is not lacking in experience as the current starting group has totaled 93 career starts and 6,365 career snaps.

• The leaders in those departments are North Dakota transfer tackle Easton Kilty (41 starts, 2,549 snaps), guard Hadley Panzer (30 starts, 1,969 snaps), tackle Carver Willis (11 starts, 839 snaps) and guard Taylor Poitier (seven starts, 702 snaps).YOUNG BUT EXPLOSIVE• Avery Johnson, the top dual-threat quarterback in the Class of 2023, is in his first full season as K-State’s starter a year after becoming just the first true freshman signal caller in school history to start and win a bowl game. Johnson led the Wildcats to a 28-19 victory over NC State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl en route to MVP honors.

• A member of the watch lists for the Maxwell and Davey O'Brien awards, Johnson was just the fifth sophomore since 1990 to start a season opener under center (Ell Roberson, 2001; Dylan Meier, 2004; Josh Freeman, 2007; Jesse Ertz, 2015).

• Johnson threw two touchdown passes in each of the first three games this season, while he had a career-high 110 rushing yards against No. 20 Arizona. It was the most rushing yards by a K-State quarterback since Will Howard had 125 yards against Oklahoma State in 2020.

• For his effort against UA, Johnson was named to the Davey O'Brien Award Great 8 List.GIDDENS GETTING IT DONE• Running back DJ Giddens is back for his junior season after rushing for 1,226 yards and 10 touchdowns last year in addition to hauling 29 receptions for 323 yards and three more scores.

• His 1,226 yards a year ago ranked 10th in school history.

• Giddens has opened the 2024 campaign with 104.3 rushing yards per game to rank sixth in the Big 12.

MR. 2,000• During the Arizona game, DJ Giddens went over the 2,000-yard mark in his career, the 12th player in school history to reach the milestone.

• He was the third-fastest running back in K-State history to reach 2,000 career rushing yards, behind only Darren Sproles and Alex Barnes.

• Giddens is just 49 yards shy of entering the school's top-10 list for career rushing yards.

GROUND AND POUND• DJ Giddens produced the 19th 1,000-yard rushing season in school history last year and did so on 223 carries to rank eighth in school history in yards per rush (5.50).

• It was the third-straight season K-State had a 1,000-yard rusher, the first time doing so since 2009-11 and the first time by running backs since 2001-04.

• A native of Junction City, Kansas, Giddens holds a career rushing average of 5.69 yards per carry to rank third in school history behind Darren Sproles (6.11; 2001-04) and Alex Barnes (5.71; 2016-18).

TDs BY ANY MANNER• Running back Dylan Edwards has recorded four touchdowns on just 32 touches this year with two coming on the ground, one via a reception and one on a punt return.

• He was the first Wildcat with a rushing, receiving and return touchdown over the first three games of a season since Deon Murphy did so in 2007.

DEFENSIVE NOTESDEFENSIVE SWITCH PAYS OFF• Since the K-State defense switched from a four-man front to a 3-3-5 alignment at the beginning of the 2021 season (44 games), the Cats are allowing just 21.1 points per game, which ranks 22nd nationally and is third among active Big 12 teams.

• After allowing 21.0 points per game in 2021 and 21.9 points per game in 2022, K-State surrendered only 21.0 points per game in 2023. It was the first time the Wildcats strung together three-straight seasons allowing less than 22.0 points per game since going 13-straight years from 1991 to 2003.

• The Wildcats currently are allowing 19.5 points per game this season, which is tied for 46th nationally.

BEHIND THE LINE• K-State recorded 11 tackles for loss in each of the first two games this season and currently ranks tops in the Big 12 and 14th nationally averaging 7.8 per game through four games.

• The Wildcats have also totaled 12 sacks over the first four contests as they are tied for the Big 12 lead and tied for 14th nationally.

• The leader in the sack department is Brendan Mott, who is tied for 12th nationally and second in the Big 12.

UNDER AVERAGE• K-State held each of its Big 12 opponents in 2022 and six of nine in 2023 under its season averages.

• Since head coach Chris Klieman’s first year of 2019, the Wildcats have held 35 of their 45 Big 12 opponents under their season average at the time it faces the Wildcats.

• Arizona came to Manhattan averaging 42 points per game, and, after scoring on its opening drive of the game, Arizona did not score again as the Cats took a 31-7 win.

K-State Returns Home to Face 20th-Ranked Cowboys

The Salina community is gearing up for the inaugural Guns and Hoses Pickleball Tournament set to take place on September 28, 2024, at Oakdale Park.&nbsp;

Participants must register by 11:59 p.m. today September 23, and entry fees will be collected on the tournament day. To register <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/12uaNruc5T5VeYHZGPfOloUeb2GBzud8iJeLczTOGmUk/viewform?fbclid=IwY2xjawFeS_FleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHd-iRiO-Rq48tsF4GQYy7BBVIS8iu_4X3L6JryBp2-f4dziI3eoo2mBM5g_aem_72d68b1WpikID5H8HkRiaA&amp;edit_requested=true">click here</a>.&nbsp;

Guns and Hoses is a 501(c)(3) organization comprised of firefighters, law enforcement officers, and deputies. This year marks the first year the organization will host a pickleball tournament. 

The event is organized to support young Tate Flax and his ongoing battle with Dravet Syndrome. Tate, who will be two years old in October, was diagnosed with Dravet Syndrome after genetic testing revealed a mutation in his SCN1A gene. This severe form of epilepsy has caused him to experience frequent, hard-to-treat seizures, leading his family on regular trips to Kansas City for medical treatment, including a recent surgery trip in June for a Vagus Nerve Stimulation implant.

The tournament features a lineup of men’s doubles, women’s doubles, mixed doubles, and a beginner category, ensuring opportunities for players of all skill levels. Registration fees are set at $20 for participants 16 and older, and $10 for those under 16, with all proceeds going towards supporting Tate's medical and travel expenses.

The event starts at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, with teams competing in pool play to establish rankings for the single elimination bracket. Each team is assured at least three pool play games and one bracket game. Pool play matches are set to 15 points, requiring a win by two, while bracket games are best two out of three, played to 11 points, also requiring a win by two.

Teams will use Rock-Paper Scissors to decide the initial serve or court side. Self-officiating is expected, with the tournament director having the final say in disputes. All games will adhere to the USA Pickleball Official Rulebook, available for reference at the <a href="https://usapickleball.org/">USA Pickleball website</a>.

Prizes include $100 per team for winners in the men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles categories, and $50 for the beginner division champions.

The event is sponsored by Oral Facial and Implant Surgery&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090527923120&amp;__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">785 Aesthetic Med Spa</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/rescuespecialists?__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Rescue Specialists</a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088234921780&amp;__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">The Cellar Wine &amp; Whiskey Bar </a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/jriusa?__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">JRI Hospitality</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/greatplainsmfg?__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Great Plains Manufacturing</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/PECsalina?__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Precision Electrical Contractors LLC</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/SalinaFirefighters?__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Salina Professional Firefighters Local #782</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090213062808&amp;__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Salina Urology Associates PA</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/JeffWellsAgency?__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Jeff Wells Agency, Inc. - American Family Insurance</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/heritagesalina?__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Heritage Real Estate Advisors LLC</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100054609933038&amp;__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">First Alarm Heating &amp; Cooling</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/iveylocksmith?__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Ivey Locksmith and Security</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/messengerclothingco?__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Messenger Clothing Company</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/homewoodsuitesbyhiltonsalinadowntown?__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Homewood Suites by Hilton Salina Downtown</a> Southern Heights Properties&nbsp;&nbsp;

Saline County Sheriff Deputy Lt. Mike Ascher and&nbsp;SFD Division Chief Andrew Sprague stopped by the 910 KINA radio Studio&nbsp; to share more about the event during the Saturday Morning Show on Sept. 21.

Ascher said in years past the organization hosted a friendly football competition between SFD and Saline County Sheriff's Office and SPD. The COVID-19 Pandemic caused the game to be canceled for 2020 and 2021, but why pickleball?

"It's just becoming so popular. I mean, there's YouTube channels, there's channels on TV that you can just watch pickleball tournaments," Sprague said. "It's fun to play if you've never played it. I tell you what it's not tennis, it's not racquetball, but it's a mixture. And it really is a blast."

To listen to the full conversation with Sprague and Ascher&nbsp;<a href="https://910kina.com/">click here.&nbsp;</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727098775831.jpeg" alt="Flyer Pickleball" />
 <figcaption>Flyer Pickleball</figcaption>
 </figure>By SALINA POSTThe Salina community is gearing up for the inaugural Guns and Hoses Pickleball Tournament set to take place on September 28, 2024, at Oakdale Park.&nbsp;Participants must register by 11:59 p.m. today September 23, and entry fees will be collected on the tournament day. To register <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/12uaNruc5T5VeYHZGPfOloUeb2GBzud8iJeLczTOGmUk/viewform?fbclid=IwY2xjawFeS_FleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHd-iRiO-Rq48tsF4GQYy7BBVIS8iu_4X3L6JryBp2-f4dziI3eoo2mBM5g_aem_72d68b1WpikID5H8HkRiaA&amp;edit_requested=true">click here</a>.&nbsp;Guns and Hoses is a 501(c)(3) organization comprised of firefighters, law enforcement officers, and deputies. This year marks the first year the organization will host a pickleball tournament. The event is organized to support young Tate Flax and his ongoing battle with Dravet Syndrome. Tate, who will be two years old in October, was diagnosed with Dravet Syndrome after genetic testing revealed a mutation in his SCN1A gene. This severe form of epilepsy has caused him to experience frequent, hard-to-treat seizures, leading his family on regular trips to Kansas City for medical treatment, including a recent surgery trip in June for a Vagus Nerve Stimulation implant.The tournament features a lineup of men’s doubles, women’s doubles, mixed doubles, and a beginner category, ensuring opportunities for players of all skill levels. Registration fees are set at $20 for participants 16 and older, and $10 for those under 16, with all proceeds going towards supporting Tate's medical and travel expenses.The event starts at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, with teams competing in pool play to establish rankings for the single elimination bracket. Each team is assured at least three pool play games and one bracket game. Pool play matches are set to 15 points, requiring a win by two, while bracket games are best two out of three, played to 11 points, also requiring a win by two.Teams will use Rock-Paper Scissors to decide the initial serve or court side. Self-officiating is expected, with the tournament director having the final say in disputes. All games will adhere to the USA Pickleball Official Rulebook, available for reference at the <a href="https://usapickleball.org/">USA Pickleball website</a>.Prizes include $100 per team for winners in the men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles categories, and $50 for the beginner division champions.The event is sponsored by Oral Facial and Implant Surgery&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090527923120&amp;__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">785 Aesthetic Med Spa</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/rescuespecialists?__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Rescue Specialists</a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088234921780&amp;__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">The Cellar Wine &amp; Whiskey Bar </a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/jriusa?__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">JRI Hospitality</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/greatplainsmfg?__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Great Plains Manufacturing</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/PECsalina?__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Precision Electrical Contractors LLC</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/SalinaFirefighters?__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Salina Professional Firefighters Local #782</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090213062808&amp;__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Salina Urology Associates PA</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/JeffWellsAgency?__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Jeff Wells Agency, Inc. - American Family Insurance</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/heritagesalina?__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Heritage Real Estate Advisors LLC</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100054609933038&amp;__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">First Alarm Heating &amp; Cooling</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/iveylocksmith?__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Ivey Locksmith and Security</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/messengerclothingco?__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Messenger Clothing Company</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/homewoodsuitesbyhiltonsalinadowntown?__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Homewood Suites by Hilton Salina Downtown</a> Southern Heights Properties&nbsp;&nbsp;Saline County Sheriff Deputy Lt. Mike Ascher and&nbsp;SFD Division Chief Andrew Sprague stopped by the 910 KINA radio Studio&nbsp; to share more about the event during the Saturday Morning Show on Sept. 21.Ascher said in years past the organization hosted a friendly football competition between SFD and Saline County Sheriff's Office and SPD. The COVID-19 Pandemic caused the game to be canceled for 2020 and 2021, but why pickleball?"It's just becoming so popular. I mean, there's YouTube channels, there's channels on TV that you can just watch pickleball tournaments," Sprague said. "It's fun to play if you've never played it. I tell you what it's not tennis, it's not racquetball, but it's a mixture. And it really is a blast." To listen to the full conversation with Sprague and Ascher&nbsp;<a href="https://910kina.com/">click here.&nbsp;</a>

Guns and Hoses Pickleball Tournament to support local family; Registration deadline is today

Join 910KINA's Saturday Morning Show hosts Dave Foor and Nate King this Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m.&nbsp;<a href="http://910kina.com/">on 910AM</a>/107.5 FM.

Hear highlights about community events, public affairs, and all things happening in Salina. Their approach is friendly, informative, and entertaining. To listen to past 910KINA Saturday Morning Shows head on over to the KINA podcast homepage&nbsp;<a href="http://910kina.com/">here.</a>

Alyssa Sanchez, Saline County Emergency Management discusses National Preparedness Month and ways residents can stay aware and ready when disaster strikes

Jason Graves, K-State Research and Extension Central District Horticulturalist shares lawn and garden best practices as we move into fall.&nbsp;

Lt. Michael Ascher, Saline County Sheriff's Office, and SFD Division Chief Andrew Sprague discuss the Guns N' Hoses pickleball tournament raising funds for a child in our community.&nbsp;

10:30-10:40 a.m. Leslie Bishop, Salina Downtown Inc. Executive Director shares how the farm and art market went this summer

10:40-11 a.m. Susan Hawksworth shares need-to-know information for the upcoming Smoky Hill Museum Street Fair on Sept. 28

<figure>
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 <figcaption>KINA New logo Blue Black</figcaption>
 </figure>By SALINA POSTJoin 910KINA's Saturday Morning Show hosts Dave Foor and Nate King this Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m.&nbsp;<a href="http://910kina.com/">on 910AM</a>/107.5 FM.Hear highlights about community events, public affairs, and all things happening in Salina. Their approach is friendly, informative, and entertaining. To listen to past 910KINA Saturday Morning Shows head on over to the KINA podcast homepage&nbsp;<a href="http://910kina.com/">here.</a>9:05-9:30 a.m.&nbsp;Alyssa Sanchez, Saline County Emergency Management discusses National Preparedness Month and ways residents can stay aware and ready when disaster strikes9:30-10:00 a.m.Jason Graves, K-State Research and Extension Central District Horticulturalist shares lawn and garden best practices as we move into fall.&nbsp;10:05-10:30 a.mLt. Michael Ascher, Saline County Sheriff's Office, and SFD Division Chief Andrew Sprague discuss the Guns N' Hoses pickleball tournament raising funds for a child in our community.&nbsp;10:30-10:40 a.m. Leslie Bishop, Salina Downtown Inc. Executive Director shares how the farm and art market went this summer10:40-11 a.m. Susan Hawksworth shares need-to-know information for the upcoming Smoky Hill Museum Street Fair on Sept. 28

910 KINA Saturday Morning Show Lineup

WASHINGTON (AP) — When the FBI said this week that Iran had tried to provide Democrats with material stolen from Donald Trump’s campaign, it was only the latest allegation of foreign interference with the U.S. election.

The 2024 presidential campaign is encountering a spate of efforts by adversaries to weaken faith in the outcome and potentially alter the results. While much of the attention has been focused on Iran, Russia is still seen as the biggest threat.

The Biden administration has moved aggressively in recent weeks to call out the operations in hopes of alerting Americans so they remain vigilant to wide-ranging, often hidden, foreign efforts to influence their positions on hot-button positions and the candidates.

A look at the latest development and broader concerns about foreign election meddling:

Iranian operatives stand accused of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-fbi-trump-intelligence-community-52641cd66412d7c01d73876acab3d989">hacking the Trump campaign</a>&nbsp;and attempting to spread the internal communications they pilfered. They also sought access to the Democratic presidential campaign, but there's no indication those efforts were successful.

Several media organizations said last month they received apparently stolen information but declined to publish it. Politico, for instance, reported that it began receiving emails in July from an anonymous AOL account identified only as “Robert” that passed along what appeared to be a research dossier the campaign had apparently done on the Republican vice presidential nominee, Ohio Sen.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jd-vance">JD Vance</a>.

The latest revelation came Wednesday when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-fbi-election-interference-dni-ae96f57f438772dac08e076be7aa4904">intelligence officials disclosed that Iranian operatives</a>&nbsp;had offered people associated with the Biden campaign information stolen from the Trump side.

The FBI said a few people connected to Biden's reelection effort received unsolicited emails in late June and early July, before he dropped out of the race, that contained an excerpt “taken from stolen, non-public material” from the Trump campaign.

The outreach to both the media and to Biden campaign associates suggests Iran was trying to pull off a hack-and-leak operation reminiscent of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/events-united-states-presidential-election-general-news-9510aae4cadd4f26bd577e87bc71035d">Russian election interference</a>&nbsp;that was meant to benefit Trump during his 2016 race against Democrat Hillary Clinton.

No signs Democrats accessed the stolen material

The effort fell flat: There’s no evidence anyone ever even responded to the emails.

Morgan Finkelstein, a spokeswoman for Democrat Kamala Harris' campaign, said in a statement that the material was not sent directly to the campaign but rather to just a few people associated with the campaign and that the emails looked like a phishing attempt or spam.

She said the campaign has cooperated with law enforcement ever since being made aware that Biden associates were “among the intended victims of this foreign influence operation.”

“We condemn in the strongest terms any effort by foreign actors to interfere in U.S. elections including this unwelcome and unacceptable malicious activity,” she said.

Despite the lack of evidence that anyone connected to the Biden or Harris campaigns tried to take advantage of the stolen material, Trump has seized on the FBI announcement. He falsely claimed on his Truth Social platform that the Harris campaign had been caught “illegally spying on me.”

"This is real election interference, not the phony crap they’ve been trying to pin on me with Russia, Russia, Russia for years,” Trump said in a Wednesday night campaign appearance.

That's a reference to an FBI investigation into whether the Trump campaign had coordinated with Russian operatives to tip the outcome of the 2016 election.

Though the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-ap-top-news-elections-politics-north-america-ea617240fe264947a967f8d13ed9a9a5">investigation did not establish a criminal conspiracy</a>, officials did determine that Trump associates actively welcomed the Russian assistance and hoped to exploit the help for political gain. That includes Trump, who on July 27, 2016, memorably said: “Russia, if you’re listening, I hope you’re able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing. I think you will probably be rewarded mightily by our press,”

That was a reference to the 30,000 emails reportedly stored on the private server that Clinton, his opponent, used as secretary of state. Within hours of his statement, Russian hackers for the first time targeted Clinton's personal office.

One goal, according to U.S. intelligence officials, is to stoke discord in the United States and to undermine public confidence in the integrity of an election that Tehran sees as consequential for its own security interests.

It's also not the first time, either. In 2020, American officials linked Iran to “a multi-pronged covert influence campaign intended to undercut former President Trump’s reelection prospects” that was likely authorized by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and implemented by Iran's military and intelligence services.

Intelligence officials have said Iran opposes Trump’s reelection, seeing him as more likely to increase tension between Washington and Tehran.

Trump’s administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-donald-trump-ap-top-news-politics-iran-cead755353a1455bbef08ef289448994">ended a nuclear deal with Iran</a>, reimposed sanctions and ordered the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-politics-government-iraq-qassim-soleimani-3353602bd30e683afec45d8c78196886">killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani</a>, an act that prompted Iran’s leaders to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-ap-top-news-tehran-international-news-iraq-e36db7c72c1adba1a6cae75091bc273d">vow revenge</a>. A Pakistani man who spent time in Iran was recently&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-pakistan-murderforhire-trump-justice-department-5a3abe0895ae7c2be14f89fc4e49bc53">charged in a plot to carry out political assassinations on U.S. soil</a>, including potentially of Trump.

What other acts of interference have been detected?

Despite all the news around Iran, the U.S. government still regards Russia as the primary threat to the integrity of the election.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-justice-department-election-foreign-influence-4888f4bfc61e46173101060ad0321d2f">The Justice Department announced a pair of criminal cases</a>&nbsp;this month that officials say expose the lengths that Russia is prepared to go to influence the election.

One case involved two employees of RT, a Russian state media company, of funneling millions of dollars through shell companies to a Tennessee-based content creation firm to churn out English-language, pro-Russia videos, which have generated millions of views. Right-wing influencers linked to the Tennessee firm, Tenet Media, were kept in the dark about the Russian funding and worked unknowingly for a company that was a front for a Russian influence operation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714052563813.png" alt="File photo Donald Trump image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File photo Donald Trump image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — When the FBI said this week that Iran had tried to provide Democrats with material stolen from Donald Trump’s campaign, it was only the latest allegation of foreign interference with the U.S. election.The 2024 presidential campaign is encountering a spate of efforts by adversaries to weaken faith in the outcome and potentially alter the results. While much of the attention has been focused on Iran, Russia is still seen as the biggest threat.The Biden administration has moved aggressively in recent weeks to call out the operations in hopes of alerting Americans so they remain vigilant to wide-ranging, often hidden, foreign efforts to influence their positions on hot-button positions and the candidates.A look at the latest development and broader concerns about foreign election meddling:<h2>What Iran is alleged to have done</h2>Iranian operatives stand accused of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-fbi-trump-intelligence-community-52641cd66412d7c01d73876acab3d989">hacking the Trump campaign</a>&nbsp;and attempting to spread the internal communications they pilfered. They also sought access to the Democratic presidential campaign, but there's no indication those efforts were successful.Several media organizations said last month they received apparently stolen information but declined to publish it. Politico, for instance, reported that it began receiving emails in July from an anonymous AOL account identified only as “Robert” that passed along what appeared to be a research dossier the campaign had apparently done on the Republican vice presidential nominee, Ohio Sen.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jd-vance">JD Vance</a>.The latest revelation came Wednesday when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-fbi-election-interference-dni-ae96f57f438772dac08e076be7aa4904">intelligence officials disclosed that Iranian operatives</a>&nbsp;had offered people associated with the Biden campaign information stolen from the Trump side.The FBI said a few people connected to Biden's reelection effort received unsolicited emails in late June and early July, before he dropped out of the race, that contained an excerpt “taken from stolen, non-public material” from the Trump campaign.The outreach to both the media and to Biden campaign associates suggests Iran was trying to pull off a hack-and-leak operation reminiscent of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/events-united-states-presidential-election-general-news-9510aae4cadd4f26bd577e87bc71035d">Russian election interference</a>&nbsp;that was meant to benefit Trump during his 2016 race against Democrat Hillary Clinton.<h2>No signs Democrats accessed the stolen material</h2>The effort fell flat: There’s no evidence anyone ever even responded to the emails.Morgan Finkelstein, a spokeswoman for Democrat Kamala Harris' campaign, said in a statement that the material was not sent directly to the campaign but rather to just a few people associated with the campaign and that the emails looked like a phishing attempt or spam.She said the campaign has cooperated with law enforcement ever since being made aware that Biden associates were “among the intended victims of this foreign influence operation.”“We condemn in the strongest terms any effort by foreign actors to interfere in U.S. elections including this unwelcome and unacceptable malicious activity,” she said.<h2>Trump's unsupported claims</h2>Despite the lack of evidence that anyone connected to the Biden or Harris campaigns tried to take advantage of the stolen material, Trump has seized on the FBI announcement. He falsely claimed on his Truth Social platform that the Harris campaign had been caught “illegally spying on me.”"This is real election interference, not the phony crap they’ve been trying to pin on me with Russia, Russia, Russia for years,” Trump said in a Wednesday night campaign appearance.That's a reference to an FBI investigation into whether the Trump campaign had coordinated with Russian operatives to tip the outcome of the 2016 election.Though the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-ap-top-news-elections-politics-north-america-ea617240fe264947a967f8d13ed9a9a5">investigation did not establish a criminal conspiracy</a>, officials did determine that Trump associates actively welcomed the Russian assistance and hoped to exploit the help for political gain. That includes Trump, who on July 27, 2016, memorably said: “Russia, if you’re listening, I hope you’re able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing. I think you will probably be rewarded mightily by our press,”That was a reference to the 30,000 emails reportedly stored on the private server that Clinton, his opponent, used as secretary of state. Within hours of his statement, Russian hackers for the first time targeted Clinton's personal office.<h2>Why might Iran be doing this?</h2>One goal, according to U.S. intelligence officials, is to stoke discord in the United States and to undermine public confidence in the integrity of an election that Tehran sees as consequential for its own security interests.It's also not the first time, either. In 2020, American officials linked Iran to “a multi-pronged covert influence campaign intended to undercut former President Trump’s reelection prospects” that was likely authorized by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and implemented by Iran's military and intelligence services.Intelligence officials have said Iran opposes Trump’s reelection, seeing him as more likely to increase tension between Washington and Tehran.Trump’s administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-donald-trump-ap-top-news-politics-iran-cead755353a1455bbef08ef289448994">ended a nuclear deal with Iran</a>, reimposed sanctions and ordered the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-politics-government-iraq-qassim-soleimani-3353602bd30e683afec45d8c78196886">killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani</a>, an act that prompted Iran’s leaders to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-ap-top-news-tehran-international-news-iraq-e36db7c72c1adba1a6cae75091bc273d">vow revenge</a>. A Pakistani man who spent time in Iran was recently&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-pakistan-murderforhire-trump-justice-department-5a3abe0895ae7c2be14f89fc4e49bc53">charged in a plot to carry out political assassinations on U.S. soil</a>, including potentially of Trump.<h2>What other acts of interference have been detected?</h2>Despite all the news around Iran, the U.S. government still regards Russia as the primary threat to the integrity of the election.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-justice-department-election-foreign-influence-4888f4bfc61e46173101060ad0321d2f">The Justice Department announced a pair of criminal cases</a>&nbsp;this month that officials say expose the lengths that Russia is prepared to go to influence the election.One case involved two employees of RT, a Russian state media company, of funneling millions of dollars through shell companies to a Tennessee-based content creation firm to churn out English-language, pro-Russia videos, which have generated millions of views. Right-wing influencers linked to the Tennessee firm, Tenet Media, were kept in the dark about the Russian funding and worked unknowingly for a company that was a front for a Russian influence operation.

What FBI says Iran sent to Democrats from Trump campaign

ASSISTANT HEAD COACH/SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR DAVE TOUB

Q: What can special teams do for Jaden Hicks down the road?

TOUB: “He’s (Jaden Hicks) in a lot of key spots for us right now. He’s our PP (personal protector) on punt which he’s making all the calls and he’s also the Mike on punt returns. He’s responsible if a team ran a fake to be able to stop that just like we used (Former Chiefs Safety Daniel) Sorensen in the past so he’s in a lot of key roles for us and it’s going to help him develop as a safety learning football instincts and the speed of the game. He gets better and better each week. He doesn’t make the same mistake twice that’s what I’m really happy about having him.”

Q: Regarding roster decisions, how much direct contact do you have with General Manager Brett Veach?

TOUB: “A lot, yeah, we talk about it. You know, he comes to my office, we talk about it – (Head Coach) Andy (Reid), we get on a three-way call, like early on Monday, we talk about all of that stuff.”

Q: How much better has Matt Araiza gotten already?

TOUB: “Yeah, he’s (Matt Araiza) only had five punts so far in two games but his first game with the three punts, he had two touchbacks and then he had come up with the third punt which was a great punt the 4.94 that we tackled for a two-yard gain. This game he only had two and the goal this past week was no touchbacks, and he did that. Then, Josh (Williams) made a great play on the goal line obviously knocking that ball back for us, that was a huge play. The combination of him hanging the ball up and then the coverage getting down there doing their job, it’s going to make his job that much easier. He did make an improvement from game one to game two.”

Q: On the Ravens and Bengals defending Rashee Rice differently.

NAGY:&nbsp;“Every week is probably going to be a little bit different, with him (Rashee Rice) and these players (that) we have and that’s a good thing. We like the way that they’re playing, they’re playing fast. I think it’s the – the biggest part of the process is going to be us just being able to – us, as coaches – being able to make sure that we try to get them open in different ways and then the players adjusting.”

Q: How does losing Isiah Pacheco for a while change the operation for you guys?

NAGY:&nbsp;“It’s certainly a little bit different but that’s expected. Pop (Isiah Pacheco) is doing a good job recovering and part of this game is injuries, but we know how much he wanted to be out there. For us, football-wise, and the x’s and o’s part, I think the guys that we have here now have really been able to get a chance to be in this offense (and) get some valuable reps – whether it be at training camp or (in) preseason. Now, it’s the next man up mentality. You guys (the media) know who the guys are that are here and for us, the biggest thing is just making sure that we put them in optimum situations and probably don’t try to do too much, one way or the other with any of them. Understand too that this is going to be – it’s a little new to these guys and that’s okay. We just help them through the process but there’s also a lot of excitement for them, too.”

Q: What are the challenges of the Falcons defense?

NAGY:&nbsp;“Well, I just think they (the Falcons defense) play hard. They really play hard. They’re a defense that they keep a lot of things in front of them. You saw that game the other night with Philadelphia, and they did a really good job of tackling, they’re physical (and) they understand the scheme. It’s a great scheme that they have, and they’ve got good football players. For us, the biggest thing is how do we play fast? Then, understand they’re a good football team. It’s obviously a primetime game so they’ll be juiced up, we’ll be juiced up, but I think (Falcons Head) Coach (Raheem) Morris has done a great job and their defense, in general, and he always has.”

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR STEVE SPAGNUOLO

OPENING STATEMENT:&nbsp;“Okay, we’re ready to go. On to the next one. They don’t get any easier. We’ve got another tough opponent but with that, I’m just going to open it up.”

Q: How quickly do you feel like you’ll be able to get Cameron Thomas and Marlon Tuipulotu up to speed and in the game?

SPAGNUOLO:&nbsp;“We’re getting there. We talk about it every week. (General Manager) Brett (Veach) always comes in and asks, and (Defensive Line Coach) Joe’s (Cullen) been – Joe and (Assistant Defensive Line Coach) Terry (Bradden) have spent a lot of extra time with both Cam (Cameron Thomas) and Marlon (Tuipulotu) and they’re both great about it. I mean, they’re the first guys in here. They’re chomping at the bit to get in there and we’ll see where that goes. It’d be nice to get more than eight (defensive linemen) but there’s only so many numbers, so we’ll see what happens.”

Q: What stands out about the way Chris Jones influences the game?

SPAGNUOLO:&nbsp;“He’s (Chris Jones) attracting a lot of double teams right now. You guys (the media) have probably done your film study so you can see that, right? Yeah, he does. I mean, we try as much as we can to get him on one person, but that’s hard to do. People tend not to let that happen. One of the things we probably need to do a better job of is get into some longer third downs. I was sharing with the (defensive) unit this morning that, if I did my math right, I think we’ve only had 19 third-and-two plus (situations). That’s really not enough in the game. That’s only nine and a half a game, but that means you have to play better on first and second down. That’s where this team (Atlanta Falcons) is going to become really challenging because we know they run the ball really well.”

Q: What characteristics do you have to have to be a blitzer in your defense?

SPAGNUOLO:&nbsp;“When I do evaluate DB’s and linebackers as well, I’m always looking for guys that can blitz. I’ll tell you one thing that I always look at is a vertical jump because I just think that signifies explosive traits. Chamarri (Conner) has a – it’s over 40, I don’t know exactly (how high)– he’d know exactly what it is, and they all know exactly (laughter) – but that’s one thing I do like, guys that can go from a standstill to really fast to me are the guys that are the best blitzers. Trent (McDuffie) can do it, Chamarri’s done it, LJ (Tennessee Titans CB L’Jarius Sneed) used to do it, we have a lot of guys that can do it. Some guys have to time it up and be moving forward, other guys can go (snaps) from a standstill.”

Q: What was your assessment of Kingsley Suamataia’s second half?

HECK: “In the second half, he (Kingsley Suamataia) had a couple breakdowns in technique, and he had one or two mental errors there. I think it was earlier in the game that those occurred, but stuff that he was able to look at, we’re able to make corrections in our meeting and stuff he’s working on this week.”

Q: Are these some of the growing pains that come with putting a rookie at left tackle?

HECK: “Yeah, absolutely. I mean, I think every rookie will go through those ups and downs. Let’s not forget who he’s (Kingsley Suamataia) playing against – an elite pass rusher there (in Cincinnati). It’s a good lesson, good opportunity to learn and grow, so by no means am I down on Kingsley, I’ve got a lot of faith in him.”

Q: How much does your run blocking scheme change when you’re shifting personnel when it comes to the running back?

HECK: “I’d say not much. One of the things that we try to do is we do a lot of different kinds of run schemes – inside zone, mid zone, gap schemes and so we usually carry a mixture of all those things, and we ask our backs to learn them all so that’s a tall order. It’s true some backs are better at this than that, but really, we work hard at, ‘Hey, let’s be good at all these things because if this is drying up, let’s go to this.’”

DEFENSIVE BACKS COACH DAVE MERRITT

Q: What has impressed you the most about Trent McDuffie so far this season?

MERRITT: “His (Trent McDuffie) ability to be calm no matter where we put him on the defense. Whether he’s going to the corner position, whether he’s sliding into the nickel position – just his ability to be able to move around because last year he didn’t have to necessarily travel around as much. He’s just a good guy that you can talk to about, ‘Hey, this is what we would like to do.’ Whether it’s bunch, stacks (or) whether it’s a particular wide receiver and Trent just never bats an eye.”

Q: With a dynamic running back like Falcons RB Bijan Robinson that is effective in the run and pass game, what does the secondary have to be mindful of?

MERRITT: “You have to ready to – number one – not only the running back (Falcons RB Bijan Robinson), you have to be ready to defeat blocks, first. (Falcons WR) Drake (London) is a pretty doggone good blocker. He reminds me of an old (Former NFL WR) Hines Ward, throwback type (of) blocker as far as this young man is (a) big body guy. The number one thing that we’ve been working on all week is making sure we take care of the first contact, which is our pressure key, then we can get to the running back next. Understanding that five (Falcons WR Drake London) is the guy that does a lot of the heavy lifting in being ready to crack-replace and if he’s getting ready to block you, you better make sure you bring your lunch pail. Then, you have to deal with the (running) back next. I think a lot of people when they are looking at this run scheme – their eyes are so focused on the (running) back that all of a sudden, they’re getting cracked (or) they’re getting walled off, so if you don’t take off the first line of defense first, as far as offensive lineman cutting, as well as wide receivers blocking, it’s going to be a long day.”

Q: Nazeeh Johnson got a lot of work on Sunday, too. Is that just a matter of getting him back into football shape?

MERRITT: “That’s exactly right. I mean, Nazeeh Johnson, you’re talking – you cannot – there’s not a better human being in that locker room, in my opinion, than Nazeeh Johnson. He’s always positive (and) he’s always smiling. ‘Brotha -man’ is his word – ‘What’s up, brotha-man’ so Nazeeh is one of those guys – to be able to get him going and playing in some of his first time NFL games. If you think about it, he’s been a special teamer and when I say playing, I mean playing the corner position. Nazeeh is doing a great job for us and he’s going to continue to learn. He had the touchdown that he gave up the other day in the redzone, but he’ll learn from that. He’s just a great young man who we’re happy that (he is a) part of the fab five (and) that he’s one of the fifth pieces of that puzzle that’s stepping up for us.”

Q: What do you see from Carson Steele going into this week?

PINKSTON: “Carson (Steele) is going in just being confident. You can see his work ethic and (the) things that he’s doing are very impressive.”

Q: How has Samaje Perine grown since he first got here, and do you think he’s ready for a 100% workload?

Chiefs Coordinator QuotesSeptember 19, 2024ASSISTANT HEAD COACH/SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR DAVE TOUBQ: What can special teams do for Jaden Hicks down the road?TOUB: “He’s (Jaden Hicks) in a lot of key spots for us right now. He’s our PP (personal protector) on punt which he’s making all the calls and he’s also the Mike on punt returns. He’s responsible if a team ran a fake to be able to stop that just like we used (Former Chiefs Safety Daniel) Sorensen in the past so he’s in a lot of key roles for us and it’s going to help him develop as a safety learning football instincts and the speed of the game. He gets better and better each week. He doesn’t make the same mistake twice that’s what I’m really happy about having him.”Q: Regarding roster decisions, how much direct contact do you have with General Manager Brett Veach?TOUB: “A lot, yeah, we talk about it. You know, he comes to my office, we talk about it – (Head Coach) Andy (Reid), we get on a three-way call, like early on Monday, we talk about all of that stuff.”Q: How much better has Matt Araiza gotten already?TOUB: “Yeah, he’s (Matt Araiza) only had five punts so far in two games but his first game with the three punts, he had two touchbacks and then he had come up with the third punt which was a great punt the 4.94 that we tackled for a two-yard gain. This game he only had two and the goal this past week was no touchbacks, and he did that. Then, Josh (Williams) made a great play on the goal line obviously knocking that ball back for us, that was a huge play. The combination of him hanging the ball up and then the coverage getting down there doing their job, it’s going to make his job that much easier. He did make an improvement from game one to game two.”OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR MATT NAGYQ: On the Ravens and Bengals defending Rashee Rice differently.NAGY:&nbsp;“Every week is probably going to be a little bit different, with him (Rashee Rice) and these players (that) we have and that’s a good thing. We like the way that they’re playing, they’re playing fast. I think it’s the – the biggest part of the process is going to be us just being able to – us, as coaches – being able to make sure that we try to get them open in different ways and then the players adjusting.”Q: How does losing Isiah Pacheco for a while change the operation for you guys?NAGY:&nbsp;“It’s certainly a little bit different but that’s expected. Pop (Isiah Pacheco) is doing a good job recovering and part of this game is injuries, but we know how much he wanted to be out there. For us, football-wise, and the x’s and o’s part, I think the guys that we have here now have really been able to get a chance to be in this offense (and) get some valuable reps – whether it be at training camp or (in) preseason. Now, it’s the next man up mentality. You guys (the media) know who the guys are that are here and for us, the biggest thing is just making sure that we put them in optimum situations and probably don’t try to do too much, one way or the other with any of them. Understand too that this is going to be – it’s a little new to these guys and that’s okay. We just help them through the process but there’s also a lot of excitement for them, too.”Q: What are the challenges of the Falcons defense?NAGY:&nbsp;“Well, I just think they (the Falcons defense) play hard. They really play hard. They’re a defense that they keep a lot of things in front of them. You saw that game the other night with Philadelphia, and they did a really good job of tackling, they’re physical (and) they understand the scheme. It’s a great scheme that they have, and they’ve got good football players. For us, the biggest thing is how do we play fast? Then, understand they’re a good football team. It’s obviously a primetime game so they’ll be juiced up, we’ll be juiced up, but I think (Falcons Head) Coach (Raheem) Morris has done a great job and their defense, in general, and he always has.”DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR STEVE SPAGNUOLOOPENING STATEMENT:&nbsp;“Okay, we’re ready to go. On to the next one. They don’t get any easier. We’ve got another tough opponent but with that, I’m just going to open it up.”Q: How quickly do you feel like you’ll be able to get Cameron Thomas and Marlon Tuipulotu up to speed and in the game?SPAGNUOLO:&nbsp;“We’re getting there. We talk about it every week. (General Manager) Brett (Veach) always comes in and asks, and (Defensive Line Coach) Joe’s (Cullen) been – Joe and (Assistant Defensive Line Coach) Terry (Bradden) have spent a lot of extra time with both Cam (Cameron Thomas) and Marlon (Tuipulotu) and they’re both great about it. I mean, they’re the first guys in here. They’re chomping at the bit to get in there and we’ll see where that goes. It’d be nice to get more than eight (defensive linemen) but there’s only so many numbers, so we’ll see what happens.”Q: What stands out about the way Chris Jones influences the game?SPAGNUOLO:&nbsp;“He’s (Chris Jones) attracting a lot of double teams right now. You guys (the media) have probably done your film study so you can see that, right? Yeah, he does. I mean, we try as much as we can to get him on one person, but that’s hard to do. People tend not to let that happen. One of the things we probably need to do a better job of is get into some longer third downs. I was sharing with the (defensive) unit this morning that, if I did my math right, I think we’ve only had 19 third-and-two plus (situations). That’s really not enough in the game. That’s only nine and a half a game, but that means you have to play better on first and second down. That’s where this team (Atlanta Falcons) is going to become really challenging because we know they run the ball really well.”Q: What characteristics do you have to have to be a blitzer in your defense?SPAGNUOLO:&nbsp;“When I do evaluate DB’s and linebackers as well, I’m always looking for guys that can blitz. I’ll tell you one thing that I always look at is a vertical jump because I just think that signifies explosive traits. Chamarri (Conner) has a – it’s over 40, I don’t know exactly (how high)– he’d know exactly what it is, and they all know exactly (laughter) – but that’s one thing I do like, guys that can go from a standstill to really fast to me are the guys that are the best blitzers. Trent (McDuffie) can do it, Chamarri’s done it, LJ (Tennessee Titans CB L’Jarius Sneed) used to do it, we have a lot of guys that can do it. Some guys have to time it up and be moving forward, other guys can go (snaps) from a standstill.”OFFENSIVE LINE COACH ANDY HECKQ: What was your assessment of Kingsley Suamataia’s second half?HECK: “In the second half, he (Kingsley Suamataia) had a couple breakdowns in technique, and he had one or two mental errors there. I think it was earlier in the game that those occurred, but stuff that he was able to look at, we’re able to make corrections in our meeting and stuff he’s working on this week.”Q: Are these some of the growing pains that come with putting a rookie at left tackle?HECK: “Yeah, absolutely. I mean, I think every rookie will go through those ups and downs. Let’s not forget who he’s (Kingsley Suamataia) playing against – an elite pass rusher there (in Cincinnati). It’s a good lesson, good opportunity to learn and grow, so by no means am I down on Kingsley, I’ve got a lot of faith in him.”Q: How much does your run blocking scheme change when you’re shifting personnel when it comes to the running back?HECK: “I’d say not much. One of the things that we try to do is we do a lot of different kinds of run schemes – inside zone, mid zone, gap schemes and so we usually carry a mixture of all those things, and we ask our backs to learn them all so that’s a tall order. It’s true some backs are better at this than that, but really, we work hard at, ‘Hey, let’s be good at all these things because if this is drying up, let’s go to this.’”DEFENSIVE BACKS COACH DAVE MERRITTQ: What has impressed you the most about Trent McDuffie so far this season?MERRITT: “His (Trent McDuffie) ability to be calm no matter where we put him on the defense. Whether he’s going to the corner position, whether he’s sliding into the nickel position – just his ability to be able to move around because last year he didn’t have to necessarily travel around as much. He’s just a good guy that you can talk to about, ‘Hey, this is what we would like to do.’ Whether it’s bunch, stacks (or) whether it’s a particular wide receiver and Trent just never bats an eye.”Q: With a dynamic running back like Falcons RB Bijan Robinson that is effective in the run and pass game, what does the secondary have to be mindful of?MERRITT: “You have to ready to – number one – not only the running back (Falcons RB Bijan Robinson), you have to be ready to defeat blocks, first. (Falcons WR) Drake (London) is a pretty doggone good blocker. He reminds me of an old (Former NFL WR) Hines Ward, throwback type (of) blocker as far as this young man is (a) big body guy. The number one thing that we’ve been working on all week is making sure we take care of the first contact, which is our pressure key, then we can get to the running back next. Understanding that five (Falcons WR Drake London) is the guy that does a lot of the heavy lifting in being ready to crack-replace and if he’s getting ready to block you, you better make sure you bring your lunch pail. Then, you have to deal with the (running) back next. I think a lot of people when they are looking at this run scheme – their eyes are so focused on the (running) back that all of a sudden, they’re getting cracked (or) they’re getting walled off, so if you don’t take off the first line of defense first, as far as offensive lineman cutting, as well as wide receivers blocking, it’s going to be a long day.”Q: Nazeeh Johnson got a lot of work on Sunday, too. Is that just a matter of getting him back into football shape?MERRITT: “That’s exactly right. I mean, Nazeeh Johnson, you’re talking – you cannot – there’s not a better human being in that locker room, in my opinion, than Nazeeh Johnson. He’s always positive (and) he’s always smiling. ‘Brotha -man’ is his word – ‘What’s up, brotha-man’ so Nazeeh is one of those guys – to be able to get him going and playing in some of his first time NFL games. If you think about it, he’s been a special teamer and when I say playing, I mean playing the corner position. Nazeeh is doing a great job for us and he’s going to continue to learn. He had the touchdown that he gave up the other day in the redzone, but he’ll learn from that. He’s just a great young man who we’re happy that (he is a) part of the fab five (and) that he’s one of the fifth pieces of that puzzle that’s stepping up for us.”RUNNING BACKS COACH TODD PINKSTONQ: What do you see from Carson Steele going into this week?PINKSTON: “Carson (Steele) is going in just being confident. You can see his work ethic and (the) things that he’s doing are very impressive.”Q: How has Samaje Perine grown since he first got here, and do you think he’s ready for a 100% workload?PINKSTON: “He’s (Samaje Perine) a smart vet, he’s been around, he’s been in the game for a long time. He’ll be ready to go, (the) guy (has) prepared well.”Q: What have you seen from Isiah Pacheco since his injury?PINKSTON: “His (Isiah Pacheco) mental toughness. He’s a guy that wants to be out there regardless of what he has going on. That’s one thing about Isiah (Pacheco) is he’s going to bring the energy, he’s going to go 100 miles to nothing, every play and that’s something that he’s still going to bring once he starts his PT (physical therapy).”Chiefs Player QuotesSeptember 19, 2024DT CHRIS JONESQ: Has there been an increase in teams double teaming you? Did the Bengals increase their pressure on you?JONES: “It’s normal, (I’m) used to it. I expected it.&nbsp; So, for me, I don’t really count the double teams, we just make the most of it.”Q: Regarding sacks, what does it mean to you to be in range of catching former Chiefs like Tamba Hali, Neil Smith and Justin Houston?JONES: “Listen, those are the guys that came in here and laid the foundation for me to look forward to and try to one day even get close to their names and stuff. When you go from players like (Chiefs 2024 Hall of Fame Inductee) Tamba Hali, (Former NFL player) Justin Houston, most importantly (PFHOF) Derrick Thomas who is the all-time (sack) leader, I think at 126.5 (sacks) – but who’s counting. You know, you look up to those type of guys because they set the foundation of what greatness should look like and what to be superior looks like. When my name is even mentioned at the bottom of that category, it’s an honor but there’s still a lot of more work to do.”Q: How do you see the rest of the defensive line take advantage of you being double and/or triple teamed?