There's already some history with KSU quarterback Freeman
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BY BRIAN ROSENTHAL / Lincoln Journal Star
MANHATTAN, Kan. — It’s just another week, just another game, just another opponent. That’s what Kansas State quarterback Josh Freeman said he feels about facing No. 21 Nebraska in only his second career start Saturday night at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
Not that reporters didn’t prod a just a little bit on Tuesday to see if Freeman, the true freshman who at one time planned on being a Husker, would budge with a little bit of bulletin board material.
He didn’t.
“To me, it’s just another team,” Freeman said of facing Nebraska. “You try to go out and prepare the best you can.”
Freeman’s history with Nebraska, then Kansas State, is well-documented. The Kansas City, Mo., native orally committed to Nebraska and attended a quarterback camp in Lincoln.
Then, new Kansas State coach Ron Prince arrived and convinced Freeman to renege on his commitment and come to Manhattan. The Freeman family supposedly informed the NU coaching staff of their change of heart via a short text message. Nebraska coach Bill Callahan later commented that Nebraska had no room for prima donnas or drama queens, and such people “can go to Kansas State.”
“Everybody is entitled to their opinion, and that’s obviously his opinion,” Freeman said, “so I can’t say anything about it.”
Freeman was asked again, after that subject, whether he was certain the Nebraska game wasn’t any bigger than others. He maintained his stance.
“I have respect for Coach Callahan and the things he’s done as a coach, and I assume he respects me as a player,” Freeman said. “I don’t feel like there’s any bad blood between me and Nebraska people. Maybe the fans, but not the coaches.”
When asked whether the prima donna comment had been posted in K-State’s locker room, Prince responded: “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Drama or no, Freeman is already a big name in these parts. If he does anything to Nebraska like he did last week to Oklahoma State, he’ll likely garner hero status.
In a 31-27 victory over Oklahoma State, Freeman led the Wildcats on touchdown drives of 92 and 58 yards in the final 4 minutes, 25 seconds. He scored the winning touchdown on a 21-yard run and became the first true freshman quarterback in Kansas State history to lead the Wildcats to victory.
Freeman finished 10-of-15 after completing his final six passes. For the season, Freeman is 24-of-62 (38.7 percent) for 391 yards, no touchdowns and four interceptions.
Prince said he was impressed with Freeman’s poise and command in his first career start, regardless of the victory.
“Had it not come down to the last drive,” Prince said, “I still would’ve been proud of how he handled the previous drive.”
Prince had some recruiting contact with Freeman while he was offensive coordinator at Virginia but didn’t meet the player in person until he became coach at Kansas State. Quickly, Prince’s first major recruiting coup was luring Freeman away from the grasp of a Big 12 North rival.
Prince, though, when asked how key it was to snag Freeman from Nebraska, said he didn’t view it as a recruiting victory over another school.
“I don’t negatively recruit against any school, I don’t talk about the other school, what they may or may not have to offer,” Prince said. “I just talk about what we have to offer and what we’re going to do.
“They (Freeman’s family) said they liked the people involved, they liked the situation, they liked the offense, they liked his opportunity to … his parents said they felt comfortable with me and how our relationship would be.”
Come Saturday night, Freeman said he won’t think about what might’ve been had he gone to Nebraska. He likes Manhattan, and said the Wildcats will have a “really good team” the rest of the season and in seasons to come.
And if he happens to become the first K-State true freshman quarterback to ever beat Nebraska … well, great.
But it’s just another game.
“It’d mean more to me in the grand scheme of the season, winning the game and getting closer to the Big 12 championships,” Freeman said, “more so than just beating Nebraska.”
Briefly
Prince announced that sophomore running back Parrish Fisher, who has no carries this season, has been suspended indefinitely because of a violation of team rules. … Saturday night’s game is sold out. It’s the first sellout in Manhattan since the last time Nebraska visited in 2004. … Prince on Nebraska quarterback Zac Taylor: “He’s as dangerous (a quarterback) as we’re going to find.”
Reach Brian Rosenthal at 473-7436 or brosenthal@journalstar.com.
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