Austin Moore ready to end Wildcats’ losing skid at Boone Pickens
Kansas State linebacker Austin Moore lines up before a play in the fourth quarter against UCF Saturday September 23, 2023 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. (Lynn Harrington/stayaliveinpower5)
MANHATTAN, Kan. — The reigning Big 12 champs are coming off a bye-week, and preparing to play their first conference road game of the season.
It just so happens that the Wildcats are traveling to a place it hasn’t won at since 2017. Boone Pickens Stadium only packs 60,000 fans, but it gets pretty loud. The venue is even more intense at night, and Oklahoma State will be hosting Kansas State under the Friday lights.
Senior linebacker Austin Moore is looking forward to accomplishing a feat he has yet to experience as a student-athlete. Snapping the Wildcats’ losing streak in Stillwater is very important to him and the rest of the veterans.
“It’s something we’ve talked about as older players, told the younger guys that we know it’s going to be a tough environment,” Moore said. “We haven’t had a whole lot of success there in many years, so it’s really important that we go in with a mindset that we’re going to block out the outside noise, and focus on what we’re going to be doing.”
Moore thought the defense utilized the week off, and should operate more smoothly. He wants to set the tone up front early too. Which shouldn’t come as a surprise, considering Moore is Kansas State’s leading tackler. The six-foot-one, 219-pounder led the Wildcats in stops last season too.
Moore expects the Cowboys to have some motivation for this matchup after last year’s shutout loss at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. On top of that, Oklahoma State (2-2) is trying to snap a two-game losing streak, and is still looking for its’ first Big 12 win of the season.
Moore is concerned about the explosive players Oklahoma State (2-2) has on offense, especially at the skill positions. Coach Mike Gundy has a great offensive mind, and will likely throw the kitchen sink at the Wildcats’ defense. That’s why Moore and his teammates have made communication priority No. 1 throughout practice. Players are back healthy and everyone is looking more fluid in Moore’s eyes.
“We got to go against our starting offense quite a bit, and just getting back to the fundamentals,” he said. “Going against our offensive scheme kind of helps us to go back to playing our rules and principles.”
Moore just wants to continue being the enforcer of the defense. He’s currently second in the Big 12, and tied for 10th in the FBS in tackles for loss. Not to mention he put the quarterback to the turf in the season-opener. The Wildcats want to make a statements in front of a hostile crowd. Kansas State has won its’ last two Big 12 road games, and Moore wants that streak to continue.
“Their fans are right on top of you along the sidelines, it’s hard for some guys to block that stuff out,” the 23-year old said. “When the coaches are trying to talk to you, and you got fans yelling in your ear, you have to make adjustments.”
It’s going to be intriguing with Gundy and Chris Klieman matching wits. Moore is anticipating a dogfight at Boone Pickens because the Cowboys are always scrappy. The Wildcats will have to silence the crowd with execution. Moore just wants to keep his foot on the gas after benefiting from the bye-week.
“Oklahoma State is going to have some different things that we haven’t seen, so it was a good week.”
