Wildcats eager to hit field

By KEVIN HASKIN

The Capital-Journal

MANHATTAN --- Classes began two weeks ago, the television networks have carried a vast assortment of games and two-a-days seem like a distant memory.

Yet Kansas State still awaits its season opener against Temple on Saturday. The start will be the latest for the Wildcats since they opened the 1992 season on Sept. 19. Only one other Big 12 program, Oklahoma, has not played yet.

"It feels like we've played a whole season against our own players," sophomore receiver Aaron Lockett said.

With so many positions to fill on offense, the extra time has allowed the K-State staff to sort through those battles.

No interruptions have delayed the construction of new suites and upper grandstand seating on the east side of KSU Stadium, either, though some finishing work, as well as the installation of glass for the suites will not be completed by Saturday.

However, for the players, all of whom had reported by Aug. 13, the wait has been interminable.

"It's a much easier deal when two-a-days are over and you go right into your first game," junior linebacker Turelle Williams said. "This year, these last two or three weeks have been hard. It's time to unload on Temple. That's how we're all looking at it."

There could be one problem, though.

"We may have forgotten how to play," K-State coach Bill Snyder said. "After we see the results of the ballgame, we'll have a little indication if it is (too long a wait)."

Temple won't have to wrestle with that issue. The Owls opened last Thursday and failed to capitalize on a sensational defensive effort, falling 6-0 to Maryland. The Terrapins went 0-for-15 on third-down conversions, but the Owls were just as hapless offensively, punting a school-record 12 times.

- MURPHY SMILES AT SCHEDULE --- One of the Wildcats to benefit from the late start has been senior running back Frank Murphy, who broke his foot during voluntary conditioning in July but has enjoyed a speedy recovery and could be available on Saturday.

"It worked in my favor and I've had an extra week to recover," said Murphy, who said the injury, suffered while running a rope drill, was the first time he'd broken a bone. "Everybody is ready to play and they get kind of mad when they see college games on TV, but I just stand back and smile."

Chris Claybon, a hard-luck junior whose knee and shoulder injuries have curbed his progress, is listed as the Wildcats' No. 2 back behind junior David Allen. WILLIAMS STOCKPILING LETTERS --- Although just a junior, backup linebacker Turelle Williams already has earned three letters and is on course to becoming the first K-State player to receive five letters.

The reason is he played in two games as a freshman but then tore his anterior cruciate ligament and received a medical hardship that restored his freshman year of eligibility.

"I guess I never looked at it like that," the 6-foot, 230-pounder from St. Louis said, smiling. "That is the truth. I should get five letters."

Williams is listed on the depth chart behind Ben Leber. His brother, Melvin, a freshman, is a second-team defensive end behind Darren Howard.

- QUICK KICKS --- Snyder anticipated that no true freshmen would play in the opener. Four redshirt freshmen are listed as backups on the two-deep --- defensive end Melvin Williams, guards Steve Washington and Chris Bailes, and cornerback Terence Newman.

- A few hundred tickets, all in the north end zone, remain for Saturday's game. With the new addition on the east side, the attendance will break the KSU Stadium record of 44,298 set last year against Nebraska. K-State offensive coordinator Ron Hudson was on the same staff at Illinois with second-year Temple coach Bobby Wallace. The two served together there in 1987 under Mike White.

- Wildcats working as returners in addition to All-American David Allen include Newman, Lockett, Murphy, Lamar Chapman, George Williams and Quincy Morgan.

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