Avery Johnson likely out, Blake Barnett starts for K-State

Klein didn't rule his QB1 out for the year Monday. He didn't sound hopeful either.

Ryan Gilbert

@RyanGilbert_

Collin Klein says there may be an 'outside chance' that QB Avery Johnson plays again this season, but said it's 'looking longer than not'. Blake Barnett is set to start on Saturday against Oklahoma State, says Klein.

'Looking longer than not' is coach-speak for don't count on it. Johnson got hurt early in the Kansas game with what's been listed as an upper body injury. He's now missed 2 straight weeks, and this news means the rest of the season is probably on the backups. For a program that built everything around him, that's a gut punch.

It's also been a mess behind him. Jacob Knuth started at Arizona State and rolled his ankle twice in that loss, so he was doubtful for Colorado. Dillon Duff started in Boulder, didn't get much going, and Klein went to Barnett. Barnett had just come off the injury report himself.

Barnett played well. He threw for 224 yards and 3 touchdowns, and he tied the game with a 3-yard jump pass to tight end Garrett Oakley with 2 seconds left in regulation. K-State still lost 27-24 in overtime, but the job was his after that. Monday made it official.

Kellis Robinett

@KellisRobinett

Collin Klein says Blake Barnett will start for Kansas State at quarterback against Oklahoma State.

The problem isn't only at quarterback. Colorado's offense had been struggling, and the K-State defense gave up 407 yards to it. Klein's big quote Monday covered the whole roster, not just one position.

Ryan Gilbert

@RyanGilbert_

K-State head coach Collin Klein: "We're bleeding out right now over a thousand little cuts."

That's about as honest as a head coach gets in November. There's no single disaster, just injuries, missed tackles and late-game losses piling up until the season starts slipping. Klein called the situation 'crazy' last week, and nothing has calmed down since.

Next up is Oklahoma State at noon on TNT in Manhattan. Barnett is the starter, and against Colorado he looked like a guy who can keep the offense moving. The question is whether anyone can stop the bleeding on defense. Watch the Johnson updates too. 'Outside chance' still isn't zero, but he'll need a reason to come back, and K-State has to give him one by winning now.