Five true facts about … Kansas State football
Matthew Hinton, AP Photo
Kansas State running back Dylan Edwards (3) high steps in the end zone for a touchdown past Tulane safety Jack Tchienchou (29) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024.Each week the Daily Herald will provide five true facts about BYU’s latest football opponent for your enjoyment. This week, the Kansas State Wildcats.
One: Taking the title
Kansas State has won seven conference championships, six outright and one shared. The last time the Wildcats won a title was in 2022 in the Big 12.
Two: Sing along
The Kansas State marching band plays “The Wabash Cannonball” before the game and fans stand, clap and dance. The tradition began after a music instructor saved the sheet music from a campus fire in Nichols Hall in 1968. Since most of the other music was destroyed, the band played the song frequently at a basketball game and it became a fan favorite.
Three: Honoring the GOAT’s
Both teams have home stadiums named after legendary coaches: LaVell Edwards Stadium for BYU and Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium for Kansas State. The two coaches were contemporaries, with Edwards leading the Cougars from 1972 to 2000 and Snyder in charge of the Wildcats from 1989-2005 and 2009-2018.
Four: Call us by our name
Kansas State had used “Aggies” as its nickname but prior to the 1915 season, new coach John “Chief” Bender gave his squad the nickname “Wildcats.” The moniker lasted the one season Bender coached at K-State. Under Z.G. Clevenger in 1917, the school team became known as the “Farmers.” In 1920 another new coach, Charles Bachman, took over the program, renaming the team “Wildcats.” This time, the nickname stuck.
Five: Heard of them?
Famous Kansas State alumni includes Tiger Woods’ father Earl, the real Erin Brockovich, former Super Bowl MVP Larry Brown, former NFL quarterback Steve Grogan and actors Eric Stonestreet and Scott Bakula.
