WATCH: Jace Friesen shares stories of fake punt, Cooper Beebe and more on K-Nation
MANHATTAN (KSNT) - K-State football is known, to some, as "Special Teams U" due to how good that third phase of the game is every year in Manhattan. A key piece to that is the buy-in from the players.
Recent graduate Jace Friesen is one of the guys who bought in. A star linebacker in high school, Friesen sat behind all-conference defensive ends at K-State, leading him to anchor the special teams units.
A man with a lots of humility, Friesen sat down in the K-Nation studio to share more about his role as a "left shield/right wing" on field goals and punts.
"What that means is you stand on the field, let someone run at you full-speed, and just get blasted," Friesen said. "...the last line of defense was me."
While Friesen was used as a blocker, he also held a leadership role, calling the plays in the huddle during punts. He was a part of Chris Klieman's first-ever fake punt, executed in the Pop-Tarts Bowl.
"It was heart-pounding, I can't even tell you what it was like sitting there, hoping I make the right call here," Friesen said.
Friesen roomed with and is good friends with All-American offensive linemen Cooper Beebe. K-Nation's Glenn Kinley asked if there are any secrets fans don't know about Beebe.
"Coop's a big gamer," Friesen said. "That's kind of what we would do after games...that's his Zen...he picks up his controller and he's good at everything he does."
Friesen also talks about his role with WildcatNIL, his retirement video, a Nacho Libre outfit and more.
The full interview with Friesen can be watched above. K-Nation airs every Sunday night on KSNT. Click here for more K-Nation content.