Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson remains the starter for next season after a promising sophomore campaign.

Still, newcomer Dillon Duff should be able to learn and grow as a backup.

He’s already got admiration from Wildcats coach Chris Klieman, who recognized Duff’s high school development as a stepping stone for his potential collegiate career.

“Kid is a stud,” Klieman said. “I’ve been so impressed with Dillon Duff, the person… he’s got a great family support system, and he’s at a really good high school that does a good job developing people. Guy’s an athlete. He spins it, he can run it, he’s a leader. He’s reached out to so many of these kids in the class. That’s what you want your quarterback to do, so he’s going to be a tremendous fit here.”

The freshman could possibly get some play behind Johnson after former backup Ta’Quan Roberson entered the transfer portal. Duff threw for 1,863 yards and 15 touchdowns as a junior at Desmet Jesuit High School, while adding 595 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground.

Klieman on tight end Linkon Cure’s versatility implemented in the Wildcats offense:

“He can be a flex guy, he can be kind of a pseudo wide receiver as he develops from a weight and strength standpoint,” Klieman said. “His versatility is going to be so important for what we do offensively, and we can highlight guys like that and the fact that he’s one of the best athletes in the country—not in the state, but in the country—speed, size, strength, ability to jump, run, all those things.”

Jayden Armant is a journalism school graduate of Howard University and a contributor to Kansas State Wildcats on SI.

RILEY COUNTY—A man was injured in an accidental shooting in Manhattan.

Just before 7p.m. Tuesday, officers filed a report of discharging a firearm in the 2500 Block of Farm Bureau Road, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

A 19-year-old man shot himself in the foot.  He was transported to Via Christi for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.  The RCPD released no additional details.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (KCTV) – A Christmas experience in Kansas City has left many feeling not so jolly after attending.

JINGLE! at Legends Field in KCK is a winter wonderland that features more than 4 million lights, a skating rink, and a tubing hill but some don’t feel like they got what they were promised.

Carly Pasceo went to JINGLE! on opening night with three others, excited to get into the Christmas spirit.

“We were just disappointed and let down and kind of just felt like it was a little bit of a scam,” said Pasceo.

Instead, she said she couldn’t enjoy a lot of what she saw advertised on the event’s website

“They had advertised like an ice-skating rink through the lights. There was a tiny ice-skating rink, maybe the size of my living room, kind of off in the corner but it wasn’t open,” explained Pasceo.

KCTV5 reached out to JINGLE! and they admit the opening wasn’t what they’d hoped.

“Unfortunately, this vision was delayed due to circumstances beyond our control – specifically a port strike in Canada,” Jingle! Holiday Kansas City said in its statement. “We are obviously disappointed that we were not able to deliver the full experience to our guests on opening night.”

Pasceo also complained there was a manure-like smell while walking through the lights, and mud piles everywhere.

JINGLE! Also admitted to having drainage issues.

“This was due to an unanticipated field drainage issue exacerbated by heavy rain prior to and after flooring install,” the event organizers said, acknowledging they’re working to fix the problem.

“At this point, I have to laugh so I don’t cry, but when I was there, I almost did cry,” said Ashley Mitchell, another unhappy customer.

Mitchell went to JINGLE! with her sister and daughter and said she also had an unpleasant experience.

“It was almost like I was being punked because every time I went somewhere I was like what is this? The tree was tilted by the way the big tree it’s on its last leg,” said Mitchell. “The number of even the lights that they had, like they were advertising millions of Christmas lights, and you get hundreds.”

JINGLE! responded to those claims, too.

“We have worked to identify any misleading past or present graphics. Of note, no market for enchant and Jingle! has identical lighting and feature components – as they rotate year over year.”

Both women said they reached out to organizers for a refund. Pasceo said she was told she would get a refund but has not heard back. Mitchell said she called and was told she wouldn’t be receiving a refund but could get discounted tickets to return.

They both hope JINGLE! fixes the issues so other families don’t leave disappointed like they were.

“They either need to close, change what they have there or offer refunds to everybody. From what I’ve seen not a single person had an enjoyable experience,” said Pasceo.

JINGLE! said it remains dedicated to delivering a magical and memorable holiday experience and said guests’ safety and well-being will always be their top priority.

“We deeply appreciate the feedback we’ve received and are committed to making improvements throughout the 2024 season,” the event organizers said.

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