Coaching ties: Kansas coach Mark Mangino was an assistant at Kansas State from 1991-98. … KU offensive coordinator Nick Quartaro was a K-State aide from 1989-93. He also worked on the same Iowa staff with Kansas State coach Bill Snyder and co-offensive coordinator Del Miller at Iowa in 1978 and worked with K-State defensive coordinator Bill Elliot at Iowa State in 2000-01. … Kansas director of football operations George Matsakis was Kansas State’s video coordinator from 1993-96. … Kansas graduate assistant Mitch Running played wide receiver for KSU from 1992-95.
Chart topper: KU leads the all-time series 61-34-5. The 61 victories are the most by the Jayhawks against any opponent.
Record watch: KU quarterback Bill Whittemore has tied the school’s single-season record with 15 touchdown passes.
More on Bill: Whittemore has thrown only two interceptions this year and hasn’t been picked off in the last five games. … K-State’s defense has eight interceptions this season and has at least one in 67 of its last 75 games.
KSU dominance: Kansas State has won the last 10 games in the series and has outscored Kansas 418-91 in those games. If Kansas State wins today it would mark the first time either team has won 11 in a row in a rivalry that dates back to 1902. Snyder is 11-3 against the Jayhawks.
Player to watch: Kansas State linebacker Josh Buhl is on pace to break the Wildcats’ single-season record for tackles. He has 113 tackles and has been in double figures in all eight games.
Block party: KSU senior Rashad Washington blocked two punts last week against Colorado. The Jayhawks have had a punt blocked in each of the last two games.
