Kansas State backup quarterback Alex Delton had just one start under his belt heading into Saturday's game against No. 9 Oklahoma. He went 11-of-29 for 146 yards and added 19 yards for 39 yards in the 26-6 loss to the TCU Horned Frogs last week.
A week later, Delton was excellent on the ground, using his feet to tear apart the Sooners defense and leading the Wildcats on back-to-back touchdown drives to tie the game twice in the fourth quarter.
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While Kansas State came up short as Baker Mayfield led one last touchdown drive for the Sooners to finish the game off with a 42-35 Oklahoma win, Delton was nonetheless impressive.
He finished 12-of-14 for 144 yards, a touchdown and an interception through the air; and took 26 carries for 161 yards and three scores on the ground, an impressive showing for the young signal-caller.
Who is this young QB who stepped in for the injured Jesse Ertz and nearly led an upset of the No. 9 team in the country?
Delton, a sophomore, was the first commit in Kansas State's class of 2015, giving his pledge 11 months before signing day. He told the Kansas City Star after his commitment that "he tries to play like Johnny Manziel and behave like Russell Wilson."
He elaborated to the Star when talking about his recruitment: “My coaches always tell me, ‘I kill you with my arm and I bury you with my legs.”
He also talked about being a perfect fit for Bill Snyder's offense:
“It fits me to a ‘T'. The fit couldn’t be any better. Everything they do plays to my strengths, a lot of read-option stuff. I love that stuff, being able to run and pass at a 50-50 split. There are few programs in the nation that do it like that, and K-State is very successful with it.”
Delton should get the first chance to lead the Kansas State offense next season when Jesse Ertz has graduated. Based on his performance in his first couple of starts, expect to see him among the list of Heisman darkhorses when the 2018 season begins.
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