11/13/2009

By ARNE GREEN

Salina Journal

MANHATTAN -- Grant Gregory has experienced the worst of senior day.

That shouldn't be the case Saturday, when he joins 23 other Kansas State seniors at Snyder Family Stadium for a farewell appearance against Missouri.

"It's my second senior day, which is weird," said Gregory, who transferred to K-State from South Florida over the summer after gaining an extra year of eligibility from the NCAA. "But at South Florida it was kind of a really sad day because all that time I never accomplished anything, in my opinion.

"Then to come here and finally get a chance to help the team, I feel like I've done that. So this season gives me a little bit of closure."

After serving as the backup quarterback for four nonconference games, Gregory has led the Wildcats to a 4-2 Big 12 record and a half-game lead in the North Division with two games remaining. One more victory and they'll be bowl eligible for the first time in three years.

"When this season's over -- we still have a lot of things to play for -- me and these seniors want to look back at it and just take pride in what we've accomplished," Gregory said. "If we can close out this season the way we want to, it will be a great feeling."

Left offensive tackle Nick Stringer has spent his entire career at K-State after signing out of Topeka Hayden High School in 2005. He's been through two coaching changes, played on the last Wildcat bowl team as a redshirt freshman and suffered through a couple of lean years as well.

"I'd never think that it would be here this fast," he said of his final home game. "Playing in front of our fan base is a great experience.

"We have some of the best fans in the nation, and this home field means a lot to me and a lot of other Wildcats."

The past week has been one of reflection for him and no doubt several other seniors.

"You think about all the things that you've gone through, the coaching changes and things like that -- getting coach (Bill) Snyder back," Stringer said. "It's been kind of a wild ride.

"You appreciate all of your teammates, and you look forward to going out and playing well. I'm really grateful that coach Snyder came back."

For Snyder, who went through 17 senior days during his first K-State tenure, this one will be a bit different. Only four players are around from his last team in 2005.

"For me, I feel bad in the respect not just that they're leaving ... but just not having an opportunity to spend very much time with the 24 seniors," Snyder said. "So I feel bad that I didn't have the opportunity to be around them for a longer time."

Like Gregory, defensive end Jeffrey Fitzgerald only played one season for the Wildcats. He transferred from Virginia last year but sat out the 2008 season in accordance with NCAA rules.

"I don't think it has really hit me yet, but I'm sure that I'll be aware of it," Fitzgerald said. "Especially when it comes down to the senior day ceremony.

"But right now I'm just trying to focus as much as possible on this upcoming game. This is the last time playing in front of this crowd and they've done a lot for us, so hopefully we can reward them with an undefeated home record."

Nine seniors are listed as starters on the depth chart: Gregory, Stringer, tight end Jeron Mastrud, receivers Attrail Snipes and Brandon Banks on offense, with Fitzgerald, nose tackle Daniel Calvin and linebackers John Houlik and Ulla Pomele on defense.

Snyder said he addressed the senior day emotions with his team at the start of the week.

"I think that there's an emotional aspect to that, relative to certain players, to their families, to the fans, to myself, to their coaching staff," he said. "I've seen it over the years and I've encouraged our players to cherish it and give thought to it during the course of the week -- the early stages of the week -- so the emotion doesn't all of a sudden jump on their back.

"You have to have the right perspective and use the emotion that comes from it in a very positive way and not let it be a burden."

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