MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Kansas State fans placed quarterback Avery Johnson on a pedestal before he arrived on campus. He was the top recruit who decided to stay home and play for the in-state school, and he was expected to lead the Wildcats to Big 12 greatness.

There were games last year in which he did exactly that. There also were games in which he fell right off that pedestal.

The question now, as the No. 17 Wildcats prepare to open the season against No. 22 Iowa State on Saturday in Dublin, Ireland, is whether the junior QB can play consistently at an elite level. Whether coach Chris Klieman wants to acknowledge it or not, the chances of Kansas State playing for a conference title this season rest largely on Johnson's shoulders.

“He's doing a really good job of holding other people a

See Full Page