Overview
- Kansas State will open the 2026 season against Nicholls on Saturday, Sept. 5, with a 6 p.m. CT kickoff that will stream on ESPN+.
- Klein was hired in December on a five-year deal after Chris Klieman's sudden retirement and returns from two seasons as Texas A&M's offensive coordinator.
- The first two-deep names Avery Johnson the Week 1 starting quarterback and lists 18 players who will make their first starts for Kansas State.
- The left side of the offensive line is a major near-term question after All-Big 12 left tackle John Pastore was ruled out for the season, freshman Oliver Miller will miss several weeks, and Tanner Morley is day-to-day with Ryan Howard expected to start at left tackle.
- Klein's early work in the transfer portal and on recruiting produced a 29-player class rated a consensus Top 30, a momentum lift that sets higher expectations but makes early nonconference games key tests for depth and continuity.