Three things we learned from Kansas State’s latest preseason football practice

The Kansas State football team allowed reporters to watch the first five periods of its practice on Monday.

Here are some key observations from the workout:

Collin Klein acts just like Bill Snyder before practice

Before the start of every football game he coached at Kansas State, Bill Snyder made sure to greet all of his players on the field with a handshake or a pat on the back while they stretched at the beginning of warm ups.

It was his pregame ritual.

New offensive coordinator Collin Klein, who used to play quarterback for Snyder, likes to follow the same routine.

Klein walked up and down K-State’s grass practice fields on Monday to share encouraging words and fist bumps with every member of the team’s offense as they stretched their muscles before the start of drills and scrimmages.

He spent the most time talking to K-State quarterback Adrian Martinez, which makes sense because he is now at the controls of the offense after transferring from Nebraska. But Klein also showed love to every offensive lineman, fullback and tight end who was dressed in purple.

That is at least one thing he picked up from his former coach.

Key defensive players out with injuries

Three notable members of K-State’s defense were either missing from action or limited on Monday.

Defensive end/linebacker Khalid Duke watched practice in street clothes for the second straight week. His continued absence makes it difficult for fans to expect the senior defender to be at full strength for the season opener against South Dakota on Sept. 3.

K-State coach Chris Klieman was optimistic on Duke’s outlook last week when he said that Duke will be ready for that game. He added that the Wildcats are taking special precautions with Duke and expect him to play this season.

Duke suffered a torn ACL last season and has also been dealing with a hamstring injury. His return to action seems to be going slower than originally expected.

Two other prominent defenders were limited: defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah and linebacker Will Honas. Both players were in uniform on Monday but spent much of practice working out away from the team on the sideline. They are each expected to participate more in the near future.

Tight end Konner Fox was also wearing a no-contact jersey while participating fully on offense.

The Wildcats are having fun

It’s easy to tell K-State football players are enjoying themselves right now.

Even though preseason camp can be exhausting, the Wildcats have found various ways to make it fun.

For example: Facial hair has become a humorous topic for the team. Hayden Gillum and Kade Warner have both been showing off mustaches at recent practices. And long snapper Randen Plattner has been rocking a red mullet.

He stopped by unannounced at K-State’s media availability and argued that he had the best hair on the entire roster, as many of his teammates listened and laughed a few feet behind reporters.

“Ty (Zentner), my punter, his hair is getting pretty long,” Plattner said. “But he puts it in a man bun so I deduct points. There is some pretty good facial hair coming back. Gillum’s is pretty good. I wonder if that is going to stay for the season. The statement I want to make is my mullet is staying for the season.”