MANHATTAN (KSNT) - Through three games of the 2024 season, it would appear K-State quarterback Avery Johnson has found his favorite targets when throwing to the end zone.
Tight ends Brayden Loftin and Will Swanson have two receiving touchdowns apiece, accounting for four of the Wildcats' six receiving touchdowns so far. However, both head coach Chris Klieman and Johnson say it's more about the overall looks the offense has been getting rather than just favoring that position group.
"I think they're doing a great job of selling some run fakes and getting open," Klieman said of the tight ends. "... I think they're doing a really good job of finding windows and being big targets for Avery [Johnson], and Avery's got a lot of confidence in those guys to."
Johnson joked about Swanson and Loftin 'stepping up' to help him out in the red zone following Friday's win over then-No. 20 Arizona, and he iterated that thought on Monday.
He echoed Klieman in saying both tight ends are able to act and trick the opposing defense effectively. Confusing the defense, whether it be through using running backs as decoys or running a 13 personnel formation, is a big factor in Johnson's eyes.
"I think what opens it up so much is our run game and how well they do in our run game," Johnson said. "The guys that are guarding them, they have to respect how well we run the ball ... it's definitely some scheming stuff that those guys do upstairs that they do a really good job with."
Running backs DJ Giddens and Dylan Edwards have hauled in the other two receiving touchdowns.
K-State opens Big 12 conference play on the road against BYU. Kickoff is set for 9:30 p.m. CST on Saturday, Sept. 21.
