MANHATTAN (KSNT) – K-State Football players Avery Johnson and Joe Jackson held a meet and greet at the Manhattan Town Center today.
The ‘Cats took some time to sign autographs and take pictures with fans of all ages ahead of the upcoming season.
Kansas State was 9-4 overall last season, and an impressive 5-1 at home. Both players are looking to improve their game individually and as a team.
“I’m just trying to pinpoint what I didn’t do well and improve on it and then finding things I was successful at last year, talking to coaches, and getting to more positions to be able to showcase that.” junior quarterback Avery Johnson said. “Really, just having fun and going out and winning games this year.”
“Everybody really knows us for, and everybody really talks about our record on the last couple of years and we’re always winning eight games, win at least eight games,” redshirt sophomore running back Joe Jackson said. “We’ve got to push for more than that this year, we’re not settling for that anymore, we’re expanding to win it all and go farther than that and stop being known as just winning eight games a year.”
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Jackson made appearances in 10 games last season, recording 227 rushing yards and a touchdown. His standout performance came in the Rate Bowl against Rutgers where he recorded career highs in receptions and receiving yards, while scoring his first touchdown. Jackson attributes his early success to leaders on the team.
“Learning from the older guys that were in front of me, just watching them every day and working hard with them, learning from them.” Jackson said. “It felt very good to put up those numbers and just coming of that you just plan to expand a lot this year and build on top of that and go from there.”
Johnson racked up a combined 3,317 yards last season, with 25 passing and seven rushing touchdowns.
The quarterback was also named to the Davey O’Brien Award Great 8 list, picking up some “Player of the Week” honors along the way. He knows his own improvement is crucial to that of the team.
“I have to play better for the guys around me and then, just continuing to grow as a leader, and as a quarterback so that we can go out and put together a 10-plus win season this year,” Johnson said.
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With the start of the season a little over a month away, Johnson and Jackson are already looking forward to their season opener in Dublin, Ireland.
“That’s a big one I’m looking forward to, but I think it’s just the next one on the schedule for me. That’s the kind of mentality I like to have,” Johnson said.
“Just looking forward to Ireland, that’s going to be a heck of an experience, especially with it being a conference game to start off,” Jackson said. “But all of them, we’re looking forward to all of them. Just the next game, the next Saturday.”
The Wildcats will take on the Iowa State Cyclones on August 23rd at 11 a.m. on ESPN.
