MANHATTAN, Kan. — Nebraska and its fans, under different circumstances, might really like this Grant Gregory guy.

The Kansas State quarterback is a connoisseur of college football — notably its stadiums. And he admires the Huskers and their historic home.

“When I was growing up,” he said, “they had what I considered the best team in college football history in 1995.”

In his only season at K-State, he has started all seven Big 12 games after coming off the bench in nonconference play. In league games, he ranks third in completion rate (.630), yards per attempt (6.9) and passing efficiency entering KSU’s regular-season finale Saturday night at Nebraska.

The 23-year-old QB served as the South Florida backup for three years after transferring from Indiana. Gregory earned a sixth season of eligibility from the NCAA and clearance to play immediately after moving this year to KSU.

A 2007 USF graduate, he devotes some of his time away from practice to studying stadiums.

It’s a passion, he said, born from his life around the game. Gregory was raised in West Point, N.Y., during his father’s time on staff at the U.S. Military Academy. Greg Gregory, now offensive coordinator at South Alabama, served in the same role at South Florida during his son’s time in Tampa.

When Grant wanted to leave last year, USF coach Jim Leavitt — an ex-Kansas State assistant — connected the quarterback with K-State coach Bill Snyder.

Gregory’s move to the Big 12 has allowed him to broaden his stadium horizons. He added Oklahoma’s Memorial Stadium and the Rose Bowl this year to his list of top college venues after K-State trips to play OU and UCLA.

Other Gregory favorites include Oregon’s Autzen Stadium, Ohio State’s Ohio Stadium and Auburn’s Jordan-Hare Stadium. He recites capacities and other stadium information without hesitation.

As for Nebraska’s Memorial Stadium, Gregory said he’s looking forward to seeing it almost as much as playing the Huskers.

“If we win,” he said, “it will be probably my favorite stadium that I’ve ever been in. But I anticipate, atmosphere-wise and stadium-wise , it will be right up there.”

Unprompted, he discussed Nebraska’s NCAA-record sellout streak, set to reach 304 games on Saturday, and the giant press box atop the west stands.

“I know they have the reputation for being excellent fans,” Gregory said. “They’re not rabid toward the other team. I’ve heard they’re really knowledgeable and nice fans, similar to what Oklahoma was like — a really awesome atmosphere.

“Awesome stadium. It’s a sea of red. I remember hearing that since I was in fourth or fifth grade.”

Gregory said he often takes pictures of stadiums with his cell phone if the Wildcats visit for a walk-though on the day before a road game. He likes to walk outside and examine stadiums from every direction, noting the intricacies of construction and building materials.

“You can find almost any picture online,” he said, “and I try to do that in my spare time. I try to find all the pictures I can. Google Images is a great thing.”

As for the Huskers, Gregory recalled that the Huskers’ closest game in the 1995 championship season was decided by 14 points and that NU averaged more than 400 yards rushing per game. He said he “loved” ex-Husker QB Tommie Frazier.

“That team was unbelievable,” Gregory said. “Nebraska football is a very proud tradition, and they’re trying to get back to what they were in the mid-’90s.”

But don’t misunderstand. He’s focused on helping earn Kansas State a win this week. Gregory’s teams at South Florida played every year in the postseason.

If K-State beats Nebraska, the Wildcats get a shot at Texas in the Big 12 championship game and then a bowl trip. If the Huskers win, Kansas State’s season is over.

“It’s kind of nuts,” Gregory said. “I’ve never seen anything like this, but it’s a great opportunity. Bowl games are awesome — just the opportunity to play in an extra game, in this case, it would be two extra games.

“I love my family, but I don’t want to go home yet.”

Contact the writer:

402-444-1031, mitch.sherman@owh.com

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