Prince Hopes To Expand On Winning Record From 2006

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) _ Kansas State coach Ron Prince isn't looking for comfort and contentment. He's not satisfied after leading the Wildcats to a 7-6 record and an appearance in the Texas Bowl

Tuesday, August 28th 2007, 2:21 pm

By: News On 6

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) _ Kansas State coach Ron Prince isn't looking for comfort and contentment. He's not satisfied after leading the Wildcats to a 7-6 record and an appearance in the Texas Bowl in his first season as their coach.

Then again, Prince was that way even before he came to Manhattan.

``I'm never comfortable,'' said Prince, who opens his second season Saturday at No. 18 Auburn. ``I've never been comfortable in my life. I don't think it's fair to the people of this state to have a team that ever thinks it's arrived. That's how I come to work every day; I don't even drive the same route every day.

``It's not necessarily paranoia, but I'm never comfortable.''

Prince doesn't care that he's putting Kansas State's 17-game winning streak in season openers in serious jeopardy by scheduling the Tigers. He has bigger goals.

Prince wants to win big games at the end of the season _ the Big 12 championship game on Dec. 1 in San Antonio, for example.

When Prince and players Josh Freeman, Ian Campbell and Rob Jackson were in San Antonio for the Big 12 media days in July, Prince made sure to take his three standouts to the Alamodome, site of the title game.

If Prince is able to prove his critics wrong again _ the media picked Kansas State to finish third in the Big 12 North _ he will need a lot of help from someone else who's entering his second season with the Wildcats.

Freeman, the sophomore quarterback who started eight games for Kansas State last year, is expected to make great strides in year two.

He will have an immediate tough test facing the Tigers. Auburn returns seven starters from the No. 7 defense in the nation a year ago, and coach Tommy Tuberville consistently produces one of the top defensive units in the country.

``The first thing that everybody can see is that in big games (Freeman) is very poised and emotionally neutral,'' Prince said. ``I don't mean that he doesn't care. He expects to do well.''

In big games against Texas and Oklahoma State last season, Freeman carried his team to emotional victories. His ability to thrive in the spotlight has never been a concern. However, his ability to play consistently from week to week was a problem.

Freeman went 4-4 as a starter, but failed to throw a touchdown pass in any of the losses. His quarterback efficiency rating was considerably lower in losses (75.6) than in wins (166.2).

The key to developing, Freeman said, is a principle Prince reminds him of every day: balance.

``My coaches in high school talked about it, but it's emphasized even more on this level,'' he said. ``With the timing, the windows are a lot smaller so you have to be balanced and ready to get rid of the ball.''

If Prince, Freeman and the rest of the Wildcats are able to have continued success this season, it won't be because of a favorable schedule. The trip to Auburn is just the beginning. Also on the slate are road games against No. 4 Texas, Oklahoma State, No. 20 Nebraska and Fresno State.

``This is the reason why you become coach at Kansas State,'' Prince said. ``You want to play to win these kinds of games. Where we are with our program, we need to play these kinds of games and we need to win these kinds of games.''

But even if he does, don't expect Prince to get comfortable.