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Tulane Football Must Overcome Unique Safety Role on Kansas State

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Tulane Football Must Overcome Unique Safety Role on Kansas State


While Tulane football is solidifying an identity on offense under a new quarterback, they face a difficult test against Kansas State in pass coverage.

The team has momentum following their 52-0 season opener victory, and while the Big 12 is a markedly different opponent than the FCS, Tulane’s shown the ability to hang with the big dogs.

Their victory in Kansas State in 2022 was the single best-game display of tackling I’ve ever seen, with Tulane’s fourth down stops sealing the victory. The 17-10 final score exemplified the struggles both offenses faced on the day.

The Wildcats’ quarterback struggled as the Green Wave shut down his mobility and top back, Deuce Vaughn. This season, Avery Johnson is a more credible passer to face.

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The real test for the team is how they fare against the Wildcats secondary and their unique employment of three-safety shells. Michael Pratt struggled to generate a passing game when he faced them, as evidenced by his 13 completions, one touchdown, and two interceptions.

Kansas State runs a 3-3-5 base defense, with eight players in coverage. That unit returns eight starters and five of their six leading tacklers. Joe Klanderman enters his fifth season as the team’s defensive coordinator and sixth-year coaching safeties—apt for his defensive strength.

Prior to the 2021 season, Klanderman overhauled their defense, going from a four-man front to the 3-3-5 structure for the first time in his career. That structure has three safeties: strong, free, and jack safety.

Two-year starter at the role Kobe Savage, now at Oregon, described the role on Kansas State’s website last season:

“A jack is like if a 4-2-5 defense had a middle linebacker, that’s what a 3-3-5 defense is for the jack,” Savage said. “It’s just an extra middle linebacker who can play anywhere from the boundary to the field, who can come down in the box, who can blitz, and who can play man defense. They call it a ‘jack’ because it’s a ‘jack of all trades.’ You can do whatever.”

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A jack of all trades is otherwise known as a nightmare for opponents, especially this early in the season, with a new player in the role. Transfer Jordan Riley from Ball State is the one to watch next Saturday at Yulman Stadium.

Riley was a high school wrestler who switched from defensive tackle to defensive back, and it shows in his physicality and playmaking ability. In his last season at Ball State, he had 61 tackles, 3 TFL, eight pass deflections, and a fumble recovery.

Ultimately, he’s only going to be in his second start as a jack safety, something he’d never played anything close to in his career. That gives Tulane an opportunity to take advantage of some inexperience there—but shutting down that third jack safety will be key.

Tulane wants to establish their ground game, so they’ll need to keep Riley out of reach through downfield blocking. The offense wasn’t incredibly creative with their run plays in the season opener but will have to lean on their rush attack to beat the Wildcats. The passing game will need to be sharp, smart, and focused on protecting the football.

Reading Jordan Riley’s role in three-safety shell coverage will be key for Darian Mensah, but so will opportunities to tuck it and run like Pratt. It’s then up to the team, especially the wide receivers, to get out in front and shut Riley out. The Green Wave’s path to victory against Kansas State and their scheme rests on their ability to execute cleanly and defeat a unique position at jack safety.

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Kansas City gets first look at 2026 Parade of Hearts sculptures ahead of summer display

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Kansas City gets first look at 2026 Parade of Hearts sculptures ahead of summer display


Kansas City gets first look at 2026 Parade of Hearts sculptures ahead of summer display

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MULTIPLE TIMES AND FIND NEW BOOTHS AND ARTISTS. THE METRO IS GETTING ITS FIRST LOOK AT ALL THE HEARTS THAT WILL BE FEATURED IN THIS YEAR’S PARADE OF HEARTS. THERE WAS A SNEAK PEEK EVENT AT THE OVERLAND PARK CONVENTION CENTER YESTERDAY. THE PARADE OF HEARTS SHOWCASES KANSAS CITY’S CREATIVITY AND HIGHLIGHTS LOCAL ART. EACH SCULPTURE WAS DESIGNED BY A LOCAL ARTIST AND WILL BE ON DISPLAY AROUND THE METRO. MY FAVORITE MOMENT IS JUST SEEING THE SMILES ON EVERYONE’S FACES AND THOSE PROUD MOMENTS WHERE YOU HAVE PARENTS SITTING THERE WATCHING THEIR KIDS. WE HAVE ARTISTS AS YOUNG AS NINE YEARS OLD, SEVEN YEARS OLD, AND THEN UP UNTIL CLOSE TO 80. SO WE HAVE ALL AGES REPRESENTED, SO WE SEE THEIR FAMILIES SUPPORTING THEM, AND IT’S JUST A GREAT MOMENT. AND SOON THE ART, THE HEARTS WILL GO TO THEIR DESIGNATED LOCATIONS ACROSS THE AREA. THEY’LL BE THERE ALL SUMMER LONG BEFORE BEING AUCTIONED OFF. THE PROCEEDS WILL GO TOWARDS SUPPORTI

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Kansas City gets first look at 2026 Parade of Hearts sculptures ahead of summer display

Updated: 6:26 PM CDT Apr 5, 2026

Editorial Standards

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Kansas City is getting an early look at one of its most recognizable public art displays.A preview event for the 2026 Parade of Hearts was held Saturday at the Overland Park Convention Center, giving attendees a first glimpse at this year’s heart sculptures.The annual event highlights local artists and showcases creativity across the metro, with each sculpture designed by a Kansas City-area artist.In the coming weeks, the hearts will be placed at locations throughout the region, where they will remain on display throughout the summer.Organizers say the installations are meant to encourage people to explore the metro while supporting the arts.At the end of the season, the sculptures will be auctioned off, with proceeds going toward supporting local artists.A full map of heart locations will be available online once installations are complete.

Kansas City is getting an early look at one of its most recognizable public art displays.

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A preview event for the 2026 Parade of Hearts was held Saturday at the Overland Park Convention Center, giving attendees a first glimpse at this year’s heart sculptures.

The annual event highlights local artists and showcases creativity across the metro, with each sculpture designed by a Kansas City-area artist.

In the coming weeks, the hearts will be placed at locations throughout the region, where they will remain on display throughout the summer.

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Organizers say the installations are meant to encourage people to explore the metro while supporting the arts.

At the end of the season, the sculptures will be auctioned off, with proceeds going toward supporting local artists.

A full map of heart locations will be available online once installations are complete.

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Where to watch Milwaukee Brewers vs Kansas City Royals: TV channel, start time, streaming for Apr. 5

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Where to watch Milwaukee Brewers vs Kansas City Royals: TV channel, start time, streaming for Apr. 5


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Baseball is back and finding what channel your favorite team is playing on has become a little bit more confusing since MLB announced plans to produce and distribute broadcasts for nearly a third of the league.

We’re here to help. Here’s everything you need to know Sunday as the Milwaukee Brewers visit the Kansas City Royals.

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See USA TODAY’s sortable MLB schedule to filter by team or division.

What time is Milwaukee Brewers vs Kansas City Royals?

First pitch between the Kansas City Royals and Milwaukee Brewers is scheduled for 2:10 p.m. (ET) on Sunday, Apr. 5.

How to watch Milwaukee Brewers vs Kansas City Royals on Sunday

All times Eastern and accurate as of Sunday, April 5, 2026, at 10:03 a.m.

  • Matchup: MIL at KC
  • Date: Sunday, Apr. 5
  • Time: 2:10 p.m. (ET)
  • Venue: Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium
  • Location: Kansas City, Missouri
  • TV: Royals.TV and Brewers.TV
  • Streaming: MLB.TV on Fubo

Watch MLB all season long with Fubo

MLB regional blackout restrictions apply

MLB scores, results

MLB scores for Apr. 5 games are available on usatoday.com . Here’s how to access today’s results:

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See scores, results for all of today’s games.



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Kansas State adds linebacker Colton McComb

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Kansas State adds linebacker Colton McComb


It is safe to say Kansas State has it rolling a bit on the recruiting trail in the 2027 recruiting class. K-State has landed Edmond, Oklahoma linebacker Colton McComb.

The announcement from McComb comes while on an unofficial visit to Kansas State. It was the first time the linebacker had visited Manhattan and he was blown away by the Wildcats on his visit leading to his commitment.

McComb was a newer target of Kansas State when Collin Klein was announced as the new head coach. His recruitment was much more of the sprint variety. The Oklahoma native was offered by K-State January 16 by area recruiter Brian Lepak.

Shortly after his offer from the Wildcats, McComb was visited by Kansas State defensive coordinator Jordan Peterson who conducted an in-home visit with the junior. After the in-home visit, he scheduled a visit to Manhattan for this weekend where he pulled the trigger. The K-State defensive coordinator deserves a lot of credit for getting this commitment done for the Wildcats.

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The junior held offers from Baylor, Boston College, Kansas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Purdue, Memphis and Tulane along with the offer from the Wildcats. McComb had official visits scheduled to Baylor and Kansas for the summer, but will no longer take those. Both Sooner State schools also wanted the junior linebacker, so he was a very wanted prospect on the recruiting trail. He is also the older brother of David McComb who began his college career at Kansas.

Overall, McComb is commitment No. 5 for Kansas State. At this point last year, K-State still had not received its first commitment yet. He joins the Wildcat class of defensive lineman Dawayne Jones, safety Julian Elzey, cornerback Nazir Pitchford and offensive lineman Canaan Smith. McComb is also the second Oklahoma native to join the class joining Jones.



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