The Kansas State Wildcats were without starting quarterback Avery Johnson last week against the Arizona State Sun Devils. Jacob Knuth got the start, but he was unable to prevent the Wildcats from falling to a 28-17 defeat.

But with Knuth also out injured, Wildcats head coach Collin Klein is turning to a new starting quarterback for Saturday's clash against Colorado.

“Sources: Kansas State will start sophomore quarterback Dillon Duff at Colorado today. It will be Duff’s first career start, as he’s yet to take a snap in his two seasons at Kansas State,” ESPN's Pete Thamel wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

The Wildcats are currently 4-3 in their first season under Klein, who played quarterback for the school in 2009-2012. Johnson has been the team's starting quarterback this season, but he has been sidelined with an injury to his neck/shoulder area. Knuth, who started in place of Johnson against Arizona State, picked up an ankle injury during the game, and is also listed as out.

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At 6-foot-2, Duff is a traditional pocket quarterback with a strong arm. Given Duff's profile, the K-State receivers could end up playing a key role against Colorado. Senior Jaron Tibbs has 34 catches for 325 yards and four touchdowns, with all lead the team this season. Meanwhile, Derrick Salley Jr. is back after missing several games and has eight catches for 133 yards over his last two games.

Duff will be going up against a Colorado team that has lost five games in a row, with the latest coming in a 57-24 collapse against Oklahoma State. The Buffaloes' pass defense has struggled mightily this season. They are ranked near the bottom in the nation in passing yards allowed per game (253.0) and passing touchdowns allowed (16).