This week's KSU player to watch: Jeffrey Fitzgerald

Ever since Jeffrey Fitzgerald accepted coach Bill Snyder’s mid-season challenge and became one of Kansas State’s vocal leaders, the Wildcats have looked completely different on the defensive line.

Up front, K-State is now able to rush the quarterback and force turnovers on a consistent basis. In its last two home games, K-State recorded 10 sacks and forced 10 turnovers.

Fitzgerald alone has five sacks against conference opponents this season and one interception return for a touchdown. Continuing that type of play will be key against Kansas.

When the Jayhawks started the season 5-0, they protected their quarterback and took care of the ball.

But during their current three-game losing streak senior signal-caller Todd Reesing has been pressured on seemingly every play and Kansas has committed plenty of turnovers.

In its last three losses to Colorado, Oklahoma and Texas Tech, KU turned the ball over nine times and paid dearly for those mistakes. Opponents have scored eight touchdowns off of those turnovers.

That’s the kind of game K-State likes to play. Rely on its defense to create turnovers and give its offense good field position. Then sit back and watch as the Wildcats take advantage of short fields and score touchdowns.

But the Wildcats can only play that way when Fitzgerald plays well, so he needs to perform well against Kansas.

On the season he has 8.5 tackles-for-loss and six sacks.

He has quickly become one of the best pass rushers in the Big 12, and K-State has quickly become one of the better defensive teams in the Big 12 along with him.