How Dalton Risner ignores fan unrest as K-State looks to salvage its football season

Dalton Risner says he doesn’t look at social media anymore.

Why?

“It’s unfortunate to see what some people write about my coaches and write about our team,” he said, “and I don’t like it.”

Risner, a senior right tackle and three-time captain for the Kansas State football team, says the Wildcats (3-6, 1-5 Big 12) are doing their best to block out all outside voices as they attempt to turnaround a disappointing season.

With three games remaining, they are focused on beating Kansas on Saturday and turning that into a winning streak that would extend the team’s eight-year streak of reaching a bowl game.

They continue to see that as a realistic goal, regardless of what some outsiders may think.

“I sense a ton of unrest in the fan base and among the media, for sure,” Risner said. “I don’t sense any unrest from my football team. I have talked to them several times and been in meetings, and the ship, I wouldn’t say it’s smooth sailing, but the ship is fully intact.”

“We are riding waves and being hit by waves and getting beaten, everyone knows that. But we are intact. Everyone is on board.”

K-State football coach Bill Snyder agrees.

He liked the way K-State’s players fought until the end of a 14-13 loss to TCU over the weekend and came within a few special teams miscues of pulling off a road upset.

Some have called for Snyder, 79, to retire at the end of the season. His future seems more uncertain than ever. But he has not let that distract him from his work.

“I don’t pay attention — good, bad or indifferent — to what goes on outside, so I can’t tell you that I know,” Snyder said. “I would imagine people are upset about the fact that we’re whatever our record happens to be, but the most significant thing is what takes place in this vicinity.”

Still, criticism of K-State isn’t easy to avoid. The Wildcats entered the year with hopes of playing in a quality bowl game and a high Big 12 finish.

Now, as the season winds down, they find themselves tied with the Jayhawks for last place in the conference standings.

“It’s hard to not see that, just with how social media is right now,” K-State center Adam Holtorf said. “I do my best to try and not pay attention to that stuff.”

Risner will help his teammates keep their focus on the games ahead. He has stood up and given speeches at meetings throughout the season and he isn’t about to stop now.

He thinks the Wildcats can still have a successful season, because he says things inside the K-State football team are in much better condition than some may think.

“Whenever things go astray and things start to get negative, people love to point fingers,” Risner said. “I’ll point a finger at myself before I point a finger at anybody else. It’s definitely sad to see how many fans and media members are against our team this year and are against our program and coaches, but that’s not affecting me, my teammates and my coaches, I can promise you that.”

This story was originally published November 6, 2018 at 4:50 PM with the headline "How Dalton Risner ignores fan unrest as K-State looks to salvage its football season."