Snyder says repetition should help Beasley

BIG 12 FOOTBALL

K-State

By KEVIN HASKIN

The Capital-Journal

MANHATTAN --- A post-game trip to Aggieville wasn't required Saturday night for Bill Snyder to compare the motion of his new quarterback to a round of darts.

Actually, the Kansas State coach doesn't see all the similarities some have noticed in the two deliveries.

"I don't equate throwing a football like some do with throwing darts. I don't think it's the same mechanics, though some do," Snyder said Sunday. "But I can equate in one respect. All of us, whether that's our game or not, the more darts you throw at the dart board, the more accurate you're going to become over a period of time.

"So you just have to keep repping it, keep throwing against air, throwing against coverage and throwing with the full complement of people. You just keep doing it, and it gets better."

One big difference exists, however. Unless patrons are stumbling out the tavern door at closing time, a dart thrower doesn't confront near as much interference as a college quarterback.

So far, Jonathan Beasley's reaction to such pressure has been, well, average. He has directed the Wildcats to a 2-0 start that leaves them ranked No. 15 in both polls. But their biggest test of the early season by far will come this Saturday when they open Big 12 play against undefeated upstart Iowa State at 11:38 a.m. Saturday in Ames, Iowa.

In a successful 40-7 tuneup Saturday night against Texas-El Paso, Beasley connected on 11 of 21 passes for 246 yards. But the 6-foot-1 junior also tossed two interceptions, including one in the second quarter that the Miners converted into a TD to trim K-State's lead to 14-7.

Five of the Wildcats' first eight series produced no points, but Beasley did prove capable of supplying the big play. His 22.4-yard average per catch featured two TD bombs to junior Quincy Morgan for 58 and 41 yards.

"I need to stay in a hot streak, instead of cooling down," Beasley admitted after closing the first half with four incompletions before hitting his first six attempts in the second half. "Consistency is something I'll keep working on."

How? By repping it, of course. All things considered, Snyder approves of Beasley's performance through the first two weeks.

That appraisal was made after carefully considering several variables. Among them:

- A receiving corps with only one proven player, Aaron Lockett.

- Several new linemen who continue to learn the Cats' protection schemes.

- The leadership responsibilities thrust upon a new quarterback.

"He's done a nice job trying to put all the people in the right places and maintain control of the offense," Snyder said.

Injury update

Nosetackle Mario Fatafehi, who hobbled off in the third quarter with an apparent injury to his left ankle "seems to be OK," Snyder said. Among other injured Wildcats, fullback Johnno Lazetich (concussion) is expected to return this week, linebacker Jason Kazar (arm) is expected to be back for the Texas game and offensive lineman Milford Stephenson could return this week from an undisclosed injury. As for kicker Jamie Rheem, Snyder said, "he's making some improvement." Rheem has struggled with a strained left foot since '98.

Copyright 1999
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.