MANHATTAN — John Hubert’s confidence skyrocketed after running for 970 yards last season for Kansas State, but the statistics didn’t fuel his confidence.

Instead, they fueled his disappointment.

“That’s motivation,” Hubert said of coming 30 yards shy of hitting 1,000 yards rushing. “I wasn’t pleased with myself; I wanted the 1,000 yards, that was one of my goals.”

While Hubert is the clear-cut No. 1 running back for K-State coming into the 2012 season, he said relaxing isn’t an option.

“It actually feels pretty good, but I got three other guys coming to take my spot so they just push me and make me work harder each and every day so I just tip my hat off to those guys,” Hubert said. “You got Angelo Pease, Robert Rose and DeMarcus Robinson that are undoubtedly good backs. We’re all small, but we all bring a punch.”

Pease, whose specialty was taking snaps out of the Wildcat formation last season, will complement Hubert as a more powerful, short-yardage back.