The Sports Xchange
NCAAF Team Report – Kansas State – INSIDE SLANT
Sitting third in the Bowl Championship Series standings, the objective for Kansas State is at least simple to state — just win out, baby.
If the Wildcats play to the potential they have demonstrated during a 7-0 start, including a 4-0 mark in the Big 12, an undefeated run through the regular season is quite possible.
Still, looking ahead is a dangerous proposition for anyone in the program. Especially with an Oct. 27 home game looming against Texas Tech, which features a senior quarterback, Seth Doege, with 28 touchdown passes after firing seven of those in a confidence-inspiring triple-overtime win at TCU.
Since he first took over as Kansas State coach, from day one Bill Snyder implored his players to take things one day at a time. That was in 1989, and the message has not changed, even this season, with national implications reaching new heights following a 55-14 rout at West Virginia.
“All young people read and watch and get on the cyberspace stuff,” Snyder said. “You can’t keep that away from them, and it’s not my intent to do that.
“Our intent is to brand the message that it really is day to day, and however they’re thought of externally is not a major factor for us. The important thing is how well we prepare today, and today is going to be the most important day and tomorrow will take on that role when the time comes.”
Young people tend to get distracted. However, leaders such as quarterback Collin Klein and linebacker Arthur Brown, as well as others who have bought into Snyder’s approach, have managed to keep the Wildcats grounded and humble while emerging as the Big 12 frontrunner.
Attention will keep growing. Particularly with Klein now a leader in the race for the Heisman Trophy. Yet as a senior who adequately handles responsibilities, and does so after already obtaining an undergraduate degree in finance, Klein is fit to lead. If that means dismissing potential distractions, he’s more than capable.
Keeping pressure on opponents is essential. By completing 19-of-21 passes for 323 yards and three touchdowns against West Virginia while also rushing for four touchdowns, Klein gave rivals some additional work. He proved capable of taking what defenses give him after the Mountaineers designed a defense intent on stopping Klein in the run game.
Despite the overwhelming performance, Snyder was reluctant to predict just how good Kansas State could be as a national championship hopeful.
“I’m not one to put any limitations on (players), but I’m not very good at being able to predict what level of success we may or may not happen to have,” Snyder said. “I thought they could be a pretty good football team. How good? That remains to be seen.”
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NCAAF Team Report – Kansas State – NOTES, QUOTES
–Tyler Lockett first made his mark as a kick returner for Kansas State last year as a freshman before his season was cut short by a lacerated kidney. Still, the family name — father Kevin and uncle Aaron also starred for the Wildcats — almost dictated that Lockett also contribute heavily as a receiver. He did in the Oct. 20 romp at West Virginia, establishing career-best marks with nine catches for 194 yards. “I think it will boost my confidence in a lot of ways,” Lockett said. “I found out ways I’m able to help the team. We know a lot of teams are going to play in on our run game, so we’ve really been working day in and day out on passing the ball.”
–Kansas State sent out a promotional flyer touting QB Collin Klein without mentioning the Heisman Trophy in the slick mailer, which was folded neatly and sealed with a bandage to reflect Klein’s toughness. Kansas State coach Bill Snyder has never made a big deal out of endorsing players for postseason honors. No promotional material was sent out in 1998, the year Michael Bishop finished second in Heisman Trophy balloting. Snyder did not even accompany Bishop to that ceremony in New York. In the case of Klein, athletic department officials would not even go as far as to comment on the intent or desired impact of the mailer.
SERIES HISTORY: Texas Tech leads Kansas State 8-4 (last meeting, 2011, 41-34 Kansas State).
SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: The performance against West Virginia almost seemed to make the Wildcats whole. Although their passing game always posed a threat, QB Collin Klein had not demonstrated the kind of touch or zip that led to him burning the Mountaineers for 323 yards on 19-of-21 accuracy. WRs Tyler Lockett and Tramaine Thompson, though small, are both burners who can elude defenders deep. WR Chris Harper, a transfer who was once a quarterback at Oregon, continues to develop as a 6-1 target who can out-position cover men and even snagged one ball in double coverage for a touchdown at West Virginia.
SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: Pressure is often key to containing the high-powered passing attacks that are predominant in the Big 12. Kansas State, after recording no tackles for loss in its Oct. 13 win at Iowa State, constantly harassed West Virginia QB Geno Smith. DEs Meshak Williams and Adam Davis are both disruptive, combining for 10 sacks through seven games. Davis leads the Big 12 with three forced fumbles. LB Arthur Brown adds to the mix when the Wildcats choose to send him on blitzes, though much of their defensive package is conventional.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “I always expect us to come out and play good. I expect our defense to do their part, and they did (at West Virginia), and we executed on our part.” — Kansas State WR Chris Harper
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NCAAF Team Report – Kansas State – STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
THIS WEEK’S GAME: Texas Tech at Kansas State, Oct. 27 — Since the formation of the Big 12, the Red Raiders have been one of the Wildcats’ biggest thorns, holding a 5-4 advantage in conference matchups. Much of that fortune, including a 66-14 rout the year Bill Snyder returned as Kansas State’s coach in 2009, was achieved under former coach Mike Leach. His successor, Tommy Tuberville, is in his third season and is beginning to make his own imprint with the Red Raiders leading the Big 12 in total defense. Finding additional depth to allow for a defensive rotation was key to Tuberville’s approach while noting the number of snaps defenders must play at times in the fast-paced Big 12. With its deliberate attack, Kansas State won’t strain Tech as much as long as the Wildcats maintain possession.
KEYS TO THE GAME: As much as the Tech defense has improved, it was still riddled for more than 500 yards in a triple-overtime win at TCU on Oct. 20. The key for the Red Raiders, and the first player to account for, was QB Seth Doege, who threw seven touchdown passes against the Horned Frogs to boost his season total to 28. Doege averages 315.6 yards per game passing while distributing the ball to several receivers, as injuries have thinned out that group at Tech. Pressure will be key for Kansas State’s defense, though Doege is adept at changing calls at the line of scrimmage as an experienced senior who was first groomed in Leach’s system.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
QB Collin Klein — Ranks first among Big 12 scorers with 84 points off 14 rushing touchdowns, yet also leads the conference in pass efficiency with a 175.8 rating after going 19-for-21 against West Virginia. Klein has thrown for 10 touchdowns.
RB Angelo Pease — Although he fell out of favor and was benched earlier in the year, Pease has gradually become a threat again as a backup behind John Hubert. Pease gained 46 yards on seven carries at West Virginia, exposing some outside creases.
P Ryan Doerr — Ranks ninth in the Big 12 with a 40.8-yard average, yet no punter in the league may be as adept at creating long fields for opponents. Doerr has placed half of his 16 punts inside the 20-yard line, including several near the goal line, while capitalizing on a good cover unit.
ROSTER REPORT:
–OG Nick Puetz played as a backup at West Virginia, his first action since suffering a foot injury in the season opener, which he started.
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