A few minutes with ... K-State tight end Andre McDonald

When Kansas State absolutely had to get a first down against Central Florida last weekend, the Wildcats called on Andre McDonald.

Facing a third-and-long on their final drive of the day, Carson Coffman dropped back and to the right, turned to his left and lobbed a pass to the redshirt freshman tight end. McDonald, a 6-foot-8 receiver/blocker, was wide open on the misdirection play and rumbled 18 yards down field.

A few plays later, Coffman went to him again for a five-yard gain. By making two big grabs, McDonald helped K-State score a game-winning touchdown.

Coming into the drive, the odds of McDonald catching a key pass seemed slim. He had yet to make a single catch with the Wildcats, and had earlier scared K-State coaches by dropping a catchable ball. But he came through when his teammates needed him, and they in turn are grateful.

McDonald talked at length about his catches and role with the Wildcats this week. Turns out he’s quite the character.

Bill Snyder was asked if you are a quiet guy off the field today, and he chuckled a bit. What’s that about?

When we’re in practice I’m making race car noises. I’m doing imitations. I act like a plane flying around sometimes. It sounds childish, but sometimes it’s the right time. Sometimes it’s the wrong time. I was an only kid growing up, so I found ways to entertain myself. I feel that if I entertain myself other people will be happy as well. A couple laughs never hurt anyone.

How are you handling the bye week? Had any time to relax?

This practice should be a time to work and improve, not to relax and think that we are good and think that we are just going to go into the Nebraska game and get everything done. So there is a lot left here to do. We’re going to get it done this week.

Can you walk me through that big catch you made last week? You were wide open. Was it a perfect play for you?

It was perfect. When it’s coming you don’t have a lot of time to think about it, you’ve just got to get it done. But knowing that there weren’t going to be a lot of people around me, I just opened the hands and let the ball come to me. I turned around and was surprised that no one (was closing) on me.

Did you like getting another catch on the same drive?

It was nice. Anytime the tight end gets the ball more than once or twice a game you’re excited. I got two passes and I was happy. I was glad I contributed to our climb back toward winning.

Has it been difficult to adjust to blocking at the college level?

Coming from high school I was the biggest guy back then. Blocking was very easy. Coming up here you’ve got to use precise footwork and put your hands in the right place. I’m still learning every day. A lot left to learn and a lot to work on.

Are you hearing a lot of venom toward Nebraska around campus?

Not so much venom as so much just excitement for the Wildcats, a 4-0 team. I hear that Nebraska is doing pretty good, they had a little slip up against South Dakota but they’re a great team. We can’t come in thinking we’re the top dog. When you come in with that mentality you get beat. I’m hearing a lot of tension around campus, K-State beat Nebraska and all that, but they’re a great team. We need to play well to get it done.

Do you think playing the Cornhuskers on ESPN is K-State’s chance to prove itself.

This is our shot to rise again. We had so many 11 win seasons and we kind of fell down a little bit. This is our chance to rise back up. A lot of teams have done great things at K-State that have gone 4-0. Coach Snyder tells us about that almost daily.

And finally, how excited are you to be a contributing factor on this team?

I’m absolutely ecstatic. To come from a redshirt position last year where I was on scout team, my work was done through the week. But now I get to step up and play in front of all these great crowds and fans at K-State. I’m absolutely excited.