Kansas

Tulane Football Must Overcome Unique Safety Role on Kansas State

Published

1 year ago

September 2, 2024

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.

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.”

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

Kansas ag officials take comment on proposed water rules

Published

54 minutes ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

Kansas ag officials take comment on proposed water rules

by: Wil Day

Posted: Jan 8, 2026 / 07:19 PM CST

Updated: Jan 8, 2026 / 07:19 PM CST

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — The Kansas Department of Agriculture held a meeting on Thursday to discuss proposed rules regarding the Kansas Water Appropriation Act.

The Division of Water Resources is proposing new regulations and changes to current regulations under the law.

The division is looking at amending or revoking regulations related to flowmeters tracking water usage.

It is also proposing changes to groundwater usage rules on how far you can move a well from its original location to prevent harming the water rights of other landowners.

Another regulation would create voluntary Water Conservation Areas, where landowners work with the division to establish water conservation plans on their properties.

Some of the concerns raised at Thursday’s meeting dealt with property rights and the transfer of land to new owners. Some expressed concern about the sale of water rights to other landowners in the area.

There is no listed timeline for when the changes could be made.

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Kansas

Rural Kansas fire department reports record number of calls in 2025

Published

13 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

Rural Kansas fire department reports record number of calls in 2025

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — A rural Kansas fire department says it saw yet another increase in calls in 2025.

On Tuesday, Butler County Fire District #3 posted data about last year on social media.

It responded to 782 alarms in 2025, which is a new record.

The majority of the calls were for rescue and emergency medical services, followed by service calls.

Courtesy: Butler County Fire District #3

The department’s data show the number of calls has been trending upward over the last 20 years.

From 2006 to 2010, the department handled an an average of 550 calls a year. From 2021 through 2025, that average was 720, a 31% increase.

Courtesy: Butler County Fire District #3

Officials said continued growth in the community has increased the demand for emergency services.

“These numbers reinforce the importance of ongoing training, staffing, equipment planning, and community support to ensure we can continue to provide timely and effective service,” the department said on Facebook.

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Clay County Commissioner says he’s ‘done’ negotiating with Kansas City Royals

Published

1 day ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

Clay County Commissioner says he’s ‘done’ negotiating with Kansas City Royals

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Clay County Commissioner Jason Withington said Wednesday that he still loves baseball, but is “done” negotiating with the Royals on a new stadium for the team in the county.

According to Withington, Thursday, Jan. 8, was the deadline for the Royals to appear on the April 2026 ballot in the county.

Withington said the Royals told the county that they were not ready to meet that deadline.

Withington took to Facebook to explain that “the joy has been drained” out of him over the last few years and expressed his dislike towards the business of baseball.

He called negotiations with the team “a closed chapter” and said that the county is shifting its focus elsewhere.

“It’s time for the Commission to focus fully on priorities we control—either upgrading our existing county jail or building a new one,” Withington wrote.

The Royals’ lease at Kauffman Stadium in the Truman Sports Complex in Jackson County expires in January 2031.

KSHB 41’s political reporter Charlie Keegan reported in May 2025 on efforts by Missouri to keep both the Royals and Chiefs in Missouri.

While the Chiefs announced that they will move to a new stadium site in 2031 in Wyandotte County, the Royals have not announced their next steps to get a new ballpark built.

A stadium site near 119th Street and Nall Avenue in Overland Park has emerged as a possibility for a stadium site for the ball club.

Some residents in that area are not happy about that possibility.

KSHB 41 News reached out to the Royals for comment, but has not heard back.