MANHATTAN, Kan. | Nobody asked Jordan Voelker what he thought his chances were of becoming a successful defensive end at Kansas State while he was playing tight end for Butler Community College, but he knows what his answer would have been.
“I would have never thought that,” said Voelker, a senior who today will play his final game at Bill Snyder Family Stadium against Iowa State. A former Newton, Kan., standout and son of three-year K-State offensive tackle Randall Voelker, he grew up hoping to play for the Wildcats. When the K-State coaching staff reached out to him in his sophomore season at Butler and asked him to join the program as a walk-on on the defensive line, he quickly agreed. Two years later, he was promoted to scholarship status and became a key player on a top-25 team. His four sacks make him one of the Wildcats’ top pass rushers, and his ability to tip passes at the line of scrimmage makes him dangerous. “I’m really happy with where I am and where we are as a team,” said Voelker, 6 feet 3 and 250 pounds. “It’s good to be a part of this team and do the things to help this team win that I have.” Voelker is one of 22 seniors for the Wildcats, some of whom made the coaching switch from Ron Prince to Bill Snyder. Voelker has seen plenty of change in his time in Manhattan.“I really struggled with the transition,” Voelker said of his position switch. “I never thought it was going to come easy to me, but it was a little more difficult than I planned on that first year. Learning how to tackle again was a struggle of mine. So this offseason, I really tried to work on my tackling and get my body in position to make plays.” He enters the final game of the regular season with 25 tackles and a few signature moments — including a game-clinching pass deflection against Baylor. Beating Miami on the road was another high point, as was the day his hard work was rewarded with a scholarship.Another bonus has been having his family on hand for every game — home and away. Now he wants even more. That’s not something he envisioned three years ago, either. “It’s definitely been an awesome ride,” Voelker said. “Hopefully we’re not finished yet.”
IOWA STATE AT NO. 16 Kansas STATE
11:30 a.m. today in Manhattan, Kan. (Fox Sports KC)
11:30 a.m. today in Manhattan, Kan. (Fox Sports KC)
KANSAS STATE’S Bowl outlook
The Kansas State football team is likely to end up in one of three bowl games in January: the Sugar Bowl, Cotton Bowl or Alamo Bowl. Where the Wildcats play will depend not only on how they play against Iowa State but also on the outcomes of several other games across the country today. K-State’s postseason destination will be known late Sunday. Until then, here is a look at where the Cats might go. •Sugar Bowl: John Sudsbury, Sugar Bowl director of communications, said K-State is in the running for an invitation to New Orleans. He thinks the Wildcats are appealing because of their breakthrough season, and because they have never played in the Sugar Bowl. But K-State will need more than a win over Iowa State to land there. The Wildcats’ best bet is for a Houston loss in the Conference USA championship game. Otherwise they will be competing with Michigan, Boise State and possibly Virginia Tech and Oklahoma State for a single at-large BCS berth. •Cotton Bowl: If K-State defeats Iowa State, the Wildcats will probably head to Arlington, Texas, to take on an SEC opponent. At 10-2, K-State will either share the Big 12 championship with Oklahoma and Oklahoma State or finish second outright. Either finish will make K-State an appealing pick for the Cotton Bowl, though the Sooners and Cowboys may have an edge if they miss the BCS. •Alamo Bowl: If the Big 12 sends only one team to a BCS bowl, K-State may end up in San Antonio if the Cotton Bowl chooses the Bedlam loser over the Wildcats. The Alamo Bowl is expected to send a representative to today’s game.
The Kansas State football team is likely to end up in one of three bowl games in January: the Sugar Bowl, Cotton Bowl or Alamo Bowl. Where the Wildcats play will depend not only on how they play against Iowa State but also on the outcomes of several other games across the country today. K-State’s postseason destination will be known late Sunday. Until then, here is a look at where the Cats might go. •Sugar Bowl: John Sudsbury, Sugar Bowl director of communications, said K-State is in the running for an invitation to New Orleans. He thinks the Wildcats are appealing because of their breakthrough season, and because they have never played in the Sugar Bowl. But K-State will need more than a win over Iowa State to land there. The Wildcats’ best bet is for a Houston loss in the Conference USA championship game. Otherwise they will be competing with Michigan, Boise State and possibly Virginia Tech and Oklahoma State for a single at-large BCS berth. •Cotton Bowl: If K-State defeats Iowa State, the Wildcats will probably head to Arlington, Texas, to take on an SEC opponent. At 10-2, K-State will either share the Big 12 championship with Oklahoma and Oklahoma State or finish second outright. Either finish will make K-State an appealing pick for the Cotton Bowl, though the Sooners and Cowboys may have an edge if they miss the BCS. •Alamo Bowl: If the Big 12 sends only one team to a BCS bowl, K-State may end up in San Antonio if the Cotton Bowl chooses the Bedlam loser over the Wildcats. The Alamo Bowl is expected to send a representative to today’s game.
Winter football
Weather predictions call for temperatures in the high 30s with a chance of rain and snow. That could lead to both teams leaning on their running games like the good ol’ days.
Weather predictions call for temperatures in the high 30s with a chance of rain and snow. That could lead to both teams leaning on their running games like the good ol’ days.
