Why Dual-Threat Avery Johnson Makes Kansas State Wildcats Offense So Much Better

Now, this was more like it. 

On Saturday, the Kansas State Wildcats fan base got to see what they wanted ever since quarterback Avery Johnson arrived in 2023. They saw Dual Threat QB1 again. It's not that they haven't seen this player before, but this time it was in the most important game of the season to date.  

The Wildcats were on the verge of letting the season slip away. They had lost two straight games to the Cincinnati Bearcast and Houston Cougars. A three-game losing streak through six games wasn't the way first-year coach Collin Klein wanted to start. 

Instead, Johnson stepped up. 

This was arguably the most key performance of his time as the three-year starter. He completed 14 of 24 passes for 209 yards and a touchdown. He also had 132 yards rushing on 12 carries. Performances as such is when Johnson and the Wildcats offense are at their best. It keeps defenses guessing because they are unaware if Johnson is going to hurt them on the ground or through the air. 

Games as such is why Johnson was such a highly-recruited player out of Maize (Kan.) High School. It was why the Wildcats spent so much time chasing Johnson when Klein was the top recruiter as the offensive coordinator. 

K-State is now 4-2 overall and 1-2 in the Big 12 conference. Saturday's win keeps them alive in the race. Just imagine the gloom in Manhattan had the Wildcats lost to their in-state rival? No, they extended the winning streak to 18. More importantly, they are back at the adult table in the league. 

And they can thank Johnson. 

It was his play that allowed them to bounce back from a 10-point, first-quarter deficit to rally for a 35-24 victory at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Johnson looked every bit of the player he was expected to become. 

Moments like these are why he chose to return to play for the Wildcats another season despite receiving big-money interest from other schools. In this NIL era, it's a rarity to see a player, especially a starting quarterback, play all four years in the same program. 

Johnson will accomplish this but he's not done yet. As silly as this seems, the Wildcats are only two games back of first-place in the Big 12. This is not to say they are closing in Utah Utes, BYU Cougars or Texas Tech because those teams are playing great football. 

But at least there is the chance of something happening for the Wildcats. The next step is keeping the momentum next weekend on the road against the Arizona State Sun Devils.