KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas State football team is dealing with another COVID-19 outbreak.
On Tuesday, head coach Chris Klieman said mostly young players have been affected by the latest virus outbreak.
“We're down, I think, upwards of 20 guys right now, mostly the young guys and so we've got to be really creative in what we do this week,” Klieman said. “Because we have a few young guys that have already had it and if they haven't had it, they're probably either in quarantine or isolation.”
With the low numbers, Klieman said that there’s not enough players for a scout team.
“It's just an interesting week of trying to get better with our young players, the kids that are still around, as well as keep moving the team forward with respect to game planning some of Iowa State," Klieman said. "Just probably won't be out at practice as long as we typically would just because of a lack of numbers but plenty of things to work on for us in all three phases."
The Wildcats head coach said coaches and staff are constantly telling the players to practice social distancing, mask-wearing and other protocols to prevent the spread of the virus.
“I remember saying it last week even, that guys, this is getting hotter and hotter. COVID is spiking everywhere. Our campus is as a bunch.” Klieman said.
Klieman said it isn’t just a Kansas State problem.
Tuesday afternoon, the Southeastern Conference announced Alabama vs LSU and Texas A&M vs Tennessee games have been postponeddue to positive COVID-19 tests, contact tracing and subsequent quarantine of individuals within the LSU and A&M programs.
Freshman running back Deuce Vaughn said that players need to treat one another with “tough love” to make sure every player is doing his part.
“I feel like if I'm told something by a coach, of course I'm going to say, ‘Alright, I have to do that.’ But then again, when it's your best friend or a close peer that tells you, ‘Hey like come on, like, we're gonna pull you along kicking and screaming no matter what.’ I mean I feel like it's different that way,” Vaughn said.
Kansas State’s next game against Iowa State will be played in Ames on Nov. 21.
