Carson Coffman wants to prove to Kansas State fans that he’s got this.

The senior quarterback is chomping at the bit to give those doubters out there the peace of mind that he is capable of leading this team to big things.

So far, the 6’3 – 211 lb. product from Peculiar, Missouri, who is also the son of former Wildcat and NFL player, Paul Coffman, is succeeding. Coffman has earned the respect of his teammates, his coach, and is slowly but surely gaining the respect of the fans clad in purple.

The respect from Bill Snyder came last year when Coffman, who lost his starting role in week five against Iowa State to Grant Gregory, responded with class. Although it stung, he decided to man up and help out his replacement, even though inside he didn’t feel so great.

Coffman still doesn’t quite know all of the reasons behind the switch, but he does know it made him work harder, and more importantly taught him how to be a real teammate.

“I just tried to get better and wanted to make sure it wouldn’t happen again if I won the job back,” Coffman said.  ”More importantly, I wanted to help the team win.”

So Coffman swallowed a little pride, and did whatever he could to help Gregory learn the offense, and prepare him to lead the team.

Because of that ability to put the team first, he found a fan of his character in Snyder.

“Carson is a very team oriented young guy and wants to do anything and everything that he can to help his teammates and his team,” Snyder said.

His teammates respect came this year when they voted Coffman a team captain. It came again in a meeting before the season, when Coffman saw that players competing with each other for spots weren’t exactly uniting as teammates.

Knowing the negative feelings that can creep in when competing, he decided to give a speech and told his story of the 2009 season. He spoke about feeling inadequate, and even hoping at first that Gregory would fail, and he’d get his spot back. He then talked about how ridiculous that was, and the importance of team, regardless of what role that may put someone in.

He then said…”Be there for each other and put the team ahead of yourself.”   It was then that his teammates knew they had a leader to believe in.

Now, the fans are finally starting to see what his teammates and coach already do.

Before the season, fans were skeptical he was the guy after his 2009 numbers consisted of completing 71-117 passes for 860 yards, with 4 interceptions, and only 2 touchdowns. They grumbled a little when Coffman struggled in the second quarter of the opening game against UCLA. When a fumble by Coffman ensued on KSU’s 11-yard line which led to a Bruin touchdown, some were wanting a change already. However, this year proved to be different in how Coffman responded on the field to adversity. This year, Coffman would end the game with a statement. Despite leaving and receiving intravenous fluids from fighting dehydration, Coffman came back in to lead his team on a key offensive drive. With around 6 1/2 minutes remaining, the Coffman engineered drive ended with a beautiful touchdown pass to Brodrick Smith.

The Bruins wouldn’t lead again.

That kind of toughness, and ability to get the job done that late in the game made even the most cynical Wildcat fan take notice.

And when Carson Coffman delivered 280 yards and 3 touchdowns in the air against Missouri State last Saturday, many fans decided to start believing in him.

However, Coffman isn’t gloating at all about last week’s game in which he put up career high numbers. The thing he’s happiest about is that his team is 2-0 with him as a starter. He feels there is still a pluthera of work to do offensively especially after last game.

“I think we pictured it a little differently. I thought we’d score every time we were out there,” Coffman said. “That didn’t happen.”

With expectations like that, Wildcat fans are hopeful that Coffman may be the man to help lead the offense alongside Daniel Thomas to a win Saturday at Arrowhead against Iowa State.

Coffman knows there’s some uncertainty though in the Wildcat community about whether he’s the guy that can get it done.

“To all those people out there who are saying this or that,” Coffman said. “Well, it just makes me want to prove them wrong.”