Tag: Kansas State

Aug 31, 2024; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats head coach Chris Klieman watches the game during the third quarter against the Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images

No. 17 Kansas State rallies, tops Tulane on fumble return

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Avery Johnson threw two touchdown passes and Jack Fabris’ 60-yard fumble return produced the winning touchdown as No. 17 Kansas State rallied past Tulane 34-27 on Saturday afternoon in New Orleans.

Johnson completed 15 of 23 passes for 181 yards, with one of his scoring passes going to DJ Giddens, who added 114 rushing yards on 19 carries for the Wildcats (2-0). Fabris’ return broke a tie midway through the fourth quarter.

Tulane’s Darian Mensah was 19-of-29 passing for 342 yards and two touchdowns, but his fumble led to the decisive score. Mekhi Hughes rushed for 128 yards and a touchdown and Mario Williams had 128 receiving yards for the Green Wave (1-1).

Tulane drove to the Kansas State 1 in the final minute, but an offensive pass interference penalty nullified Mensah’s touchdown pass, and VJ Payne intercepted a Mensah pass with 12 seconds remaining.

Chris Tennant kicked a 28-yard field goal to start the second-half scoring and pull Kansas State within 20-13.

Tulane, which scored two touchdowns and made two field goals on its last four possessions of the first half, punted at the end of its first two possessions of the third quarter.

Johnson threw a 45-yard touchdown pass to Giddens to tie the score at 20 late in the third.

On the second play of the fourth quarter, Mensah threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Alex Bauman to give the Green Wave a 27-20 lead, but on the ensuing possession Dylan Edwards ran 13 yards for a tying touchdown.

Tulane reached the Kansas State 18 on the next possession before going backward, and Fabris’ score gave the Wildcats a 34-27 lead with 8:13 remaining.

On Kansas State’ second possession of the game, Tennant kicked a 48-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead. Tulane responded on the ensuing possession as Hughes rushed 3 yards for a touchdown and a 7-3 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Green Wave increased the lead to 14-3 on its next possession as Mensah threw a 36-yard touchdown pass to Bauman.

The Wildcats responded with a 7-yard touchdown pass from Johnson to Will Swanson to get within four points. Jacob Barnes kicked field goals of 40 and 41, leaving the Green Wave with a 20-10 halftime lead.

–Field Level Media

Aug 31, 2024; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Avery Johnson (2) passes the ball during the third quarter against the Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images

Tulane preparing for ‘big-boy football’ against No. 17 Kansas State

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Kansas State and Tulane didn’t have to reveal a whole lot of their identities in season-opening victories against outmanned FCS opponents.

The Wildcats defeated UT Martin 41-6 and the Green Wave blanked Southeastern Louisiana 52-0.

So both teams realize they might witness more than what they’ve seen on film when No. 17 Kansas State visits Tulane on Saturday in New Orleans.

“We have a lot of things we haven’t shown yet,” Wildcats coach Chris Klieman said.

The Green Wave are even more of a mystery because they have a new head coach in Jon Sumrall. Kansas State isn’t totally in the dark about Sumrall because it defeated his visiting Troy team last season, 42-13, in one of just four losses Sumrall had in two seasons there.

“We watched all the Troy film from last year when we played them last year and now it looks like we’re playing them again,” Klieman said. “There are a lot of similarities, offensive and defensively in scheme.”

Klieman’s team prides itself on discipline, but it was a mixed bag in regards to that in the opener.

The Wildcats weren’t penalized the whole game — “Our kids know how important it is to play a clean game,” Klieman said — but Kansas State was minus-2 in turnovers.

“We’ve got to get that thing flipped,” Klieman said.

This game marks the first true road start for quarterback Avery Johnson.

“I think it’s important for this group to go on the road because we’re going to have to win some games on the road in order to have a successful season,” Klieman said.

Both coaches dismissed the significance of Tulane’s 17-10 road victory against a Kansas State team favored by two touchdowns two seasons ago. In addition to the Green Wave’s coaching change, both teams feature just a handful of players that played significant snaps in that game.

Sumrall acknowledged that this game is “a big opportunity against a really good opponent in our stadium.”

But he cautioned that his team must improve significantly even from its lopsided victory in the opener.

“They’re a top-20 team,” he said. “We’re not and we didn’t play like one last week. If we don’t get ready and improve a lot it’s not going to matter what the opportunity looks like. We’ve got to get better in house before we worry about the opponent.”

Redshirt freshman quarterback Darian Mensah made his college debut for the Green Wave last week, completing 10 of 12 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns.

“For his first game action along with his first start I thought he looked poised and played with good command,” Sumrall said. “I’m not really surprised by that, but you never know what a guy’s going to do when he gets in a game under the lights and he handled the moment really well.”

Tulane and Mensah are stepping up in class as the game against the Wildcats is followed by a visit to No. 15 Oklahoma next week.

“The challenges are about to get much harder,” Sumrall said. “We’re going into big-boy football real fast.”

–Field Level Media

Aug 31, 2024; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats running back Dylan Edwards (3) is tackled by Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks cornerback Robert Johnson (3) during the first quarter at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

No. 18 Kansas State runs over UT-Martin

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Avery Johnson was 14-of-21 for 153 yards and two touchdowns as No. 18 Kansas State defeated Tennessee-Martin 41-6 Saturday night in Manhattan, Kan., in the season opener for both teams.

DJ Giddens ran for 124 yards on 13 carries for Kansas State, which outrushed UT-Martin 283-36 and held the Skyhawks to fewer than 1 yard per carry. The Wildcats outgained the visitors 265-51 in the second half after managing just 184 yards in the first half while punting twice and throwing an interception.

Trailing 17-3, UT-Martin recovered a fumble at the Kansas State 33-yard line on the opening kickoff of the second half, but the Skyhawks only managed to get a Jaren Van Winkle 31-yard field goal.

Chris Tennant responded with a 45-yard kick to stretch the Wildcats’ lead to 20-6.

On Kansas State’s next possession, Johnson’s 44-yard pass to Jayce Brown set the Wildcats up at the 1-yard line. Sophomore running back Dylan Edwards scored his first collegiate touchdown on the next play to make it 27-6 with 59 seconds left in the third quarter.

After Kansas State forced a three-and-out, Johnson found Edwards on a 15-yard touchdown for a 34-6 lead early in the fourth quarter. La’James White’s 12-yard touchdown closed the scoring at the 8:19 mark of the fourth quarter.

Johnson’s first touchdown of the season came on play-action when he found Brayden Loftin for a 23-yard score down the left sideline at the 6:30 mark in the first quarter. After forcing another UT-Martin three-and-out, Ty Bowman blocked a punt that Colby McCalister returned for a 1-yard touchdown.

The Wildcats have been the nation’s best in scoring non-offensive touchdowns for a quarter-century. Heading into the 2024 season, Kansas State has scored 131 non-offensive touchdowns since 1999, six more than Alabama, the next closest team.

Johnson, a sophomore, threw his first career interception early in the second quarter with the Wildcats threatening to take a three-touchdown lead. The Skyhawks converted a third-and-19 on the drive before Van Winkle made a 34-yard field goal to pull the visitors within 14-3.

Tenant’s 43-yard field goal with 21 seconds left in the first half gave Kansas State a 17-3 halftime advantage.

–Field Level Media

Dec 28, 2023; Orlando, FL, USA; Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson (2) runs the ball against NC State in the fourth quarter at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports

No. 18 Kansas State gets early test in FCS contender UT-Martin

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As opening acts in Manhattan go, there are big implications for the season-opening game at Kansas State.

No. 18 Kansas State hosts FCS power UT-Martin on Saturday under the lights with bright expectations encircling both programs.

K-State is looking for its second appearance in the Big 12 Championship Game in three seasons and the accompanying guaranteed appearance in the new 12-team College Football Playoff.

UT-Martin strives to build on three straight Ohio Valley Conference championships and add another appearance in the FCS playoffs. Changing the final outcome — only one playoff showing in three seasons — is at the top of the priority list for the Skyhawks and coach Jason Simpson.

“These guys want more,” Simpson said. “We know we have won three straight conference championships, but we have only been rewarded with one playoff appearance. We have a list of the things that we are chasing, but we have to focus on everything we have to do on a daily basis with relentless intent to ultimately accomplish our goals.”

Simpson can lean on experience and a roster that includes 27 seniors or graduate students and 25 redshirt juniors.

“I am excited about this team,” Simpson said. “We had a really good summer, and I love seeing the kids in the building and their growth. We have an experienced team at a lot of positions and the players have done a good job of leading by example. We give the players direction and the road map for the journey that we want to accomplish for that day, but these kids have done a good job of being player led. There are some mature, grown men on this team that have great character.”

Kansas State can lean on success while introducing a new crop of starters, led by quarterback Avery Johnson and a largely new starting offensive line.

Johnson played in eight games last season as a true freshman. His only start was in the Pop-Tarts Bowl victory over North Carolina State, a game in which he was named the MVP.

“Be himself,” head coach Chris Klieman said when asked what he wants for Johnson in his first regular-season start. “We have a lot of guys around him that can make plays. I don’t think he’s going to be nervous. That’s not his nature. We just want him to play within himself and make the plays he’s capable of making.”

Johnson has a strong arm, but his speed — and perhaps his flowing locks — sets him apart. He rushed for a school-record-tying five touchdowns in the Wildcats’ 38-21 victory at Texas Tech last season.

He’ll be joined in the backfield by leading rusher DJ Giddens, who gained 1,226 net yards at a 5.5 yards-per-carry clip last season. Giddens is a power runner, while Colorado-transfer Dylan Edwards will stretch the edges. The Cats will have plenty of options for UT-Martin to prepare for.

The Wildcats return eight starters on defense, including five of their top six tacklers from 2023. Linebacker Austin Moore and safety Marques Sigle each had 63 tackles last year.

Klieman has smashed FCS competition, going 69-6 with four national championships in five years as the head coach at North Dakota State.

Since coming to Kansas State in 2018, he’s 4-0 with a 159-37 point differential against FCS foes. The Wildcats have shut out their last two FCS opponents, South Dakota, 34-0 in 2022, and Southeast Missouri State, 45-0 in 2023.

–Field Level Media

Nov 25, 2023; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Will Howard (18) celebrates a touchdown in the third quarter against the Iowa State Cyclones at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Ohio State lands K-State QB Will Howard

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Will Howard is Ohio State’s solution at quarterback.

The prolific Kansas State veteran is transferring to the Buckeyes, ESPN and On3 reported Thursday.

Howard was a popular target in the transfer portal, with Southern California and Miami also wooing him. It was reported earlier in the week that Howard would visit the Buckeyes’ campus in Columbus, Ohio.

Howard spent four seasons with the Wildcats and holds the school record with 48 career passing touchdowns. In 2023, he tied the school single-season record of 24 TDs set by Ell Roberson in 2003.

“When I started talking to Ohio State, everything kind of lined up,” Howard told ESPN. “I had a list of things I was looking for, in terms of needing to go somewhere where there was a lot of talent around me and … compete for a national championship.”

Last year’s starting quarterback, Kyle McCord, transferred from Ohio State to Syracuse following the 2023 regular season.

Quarterbacks Devin Brown and Lincoln Kienholz completed 10 of 23 pass attempts for 106 yards as stand-ins during a 14-3 loss to Missouri in the Cotton Bowl.

With Howard at the helm, Kansas State went 8-4 in 2023. He threw 15 TD passes in his final six games and posted a four-TD performance against Texas. Howard also had a big game against the same Mizzou team that manhandled Ohio State in the bowl game (270 yards, three TD passes in a 30-27 loss in September).

Howard helped guide Kansas State to a memorable 31-28 overtime upset of TCU in the 2022 Big 12 championship game.

He passed for 5,786 yards and threw 25 interceptions in 34 games (27 starts) for the Wildcats. He also rushed for 19 touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Nov 25, 2023; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Will Howard (18) calls a play during the first quarter against the Iowa State Cyclones at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Ohio State joins pursuit of K-State QB Will Howard

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Ohio State plans to host Kansas State quarterback Will Howard, who has also received interest from Southern California and Miami in the transfer portal.

According to multiple reports, Howard’s visit is expected to take place before Monday’s national championship game. Howard was also considering the 2024 NFL Draft as of the end of the 2023 regular season.

Ohio State starting quarterback Kyle McCord transferred to Syracuse following the 2023 regular season.

Quarterbacks Devin Brown and Luke Kieholz completed 10 of 23 pass attempts for 106 yards as stand-ins during a 14-3 loss to Missouri in the Cotton Bowl.

With Howard at the helm, Kansas State went 8-4 in 2023. He threw 15 TD passes in his final six games and posted a four-TD performance against Texas. Howard also had a big game against the same Mizzou team that manhandled Ohio State in the bowl game (270 yards, three TD passes in a 30-27 loss in September).

Howard spent four seasons with the Wildcats and holds the school record with 48 career passing touchdowns. He tied the school single-season record of 24 TDs set by Ell Roberson in 2003.

Howard helped guide Kansas State to a memorable 31-28 overtime upset of TCU in the 2022 Big 12 championship game. The victory put the Wildcats in the Sugar Bowl, where they lost 45-20 to Alabama. Kansas State finished 10-4 in 2022.

Howard passed for 5,786 yards and threw 25 interceptions in 34 games (27 starts) for the Wildcats. He also rushed for 19 touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Dec 28, 2023; Orlando, FL, USA; Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson (2) runs for the touchdown against NC State in the second quarter at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports

K-State runs over NC State in Pop-Tarts Bowl

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Avery Johnson found Jayce Brown for an 11-yard touchdown to cap the clinching drive in the fourth quarter as No. 25 Kansas State defeated No. 18 North Carolina State 28-19 in the Pop-Tarts Bowl on Thursday in Orlando.

The Wildcats took the ball with 10:12 left in the fourth quarter and kept it for 7:24 on the decisive march, which lasted 15 plays and covered 72 yards.

Kansas State (9-4) only had one quarterback on the roster Thursday, limiting the Wildcats’ use of Johnson in the running game. He still finished with 71 yards on seven carries to go with 14-of-31 passing for 178 yards and two touchdowns through the air.

North Carolina State (9-4) was seeking its second 10-win season in program history (2002). Brennan Armstrong was 14 of 28 for 168 yards and one interception. He led the Wolfpack with 121 yards rushing and a touchdown on the ground but ran for only 7 yards in the second half.

After trailing 21-10 at halftime, NC State dominated the third quarter, outgaining the Wildcats 166-44. Brayden Narveson hit a 49-yard field goal on the opening drive of the second half. Narveson missed a chance to cut into the lead further when he missed a 52-yard attempt on the Wolfpack’s next possession.

NC State used a fake punt to cut the deficit. Trent Pinnix took the snap and went 60 yards for the score. The two-point conversion attempt failed when Armstrong was sacked before he could find a receiver, leaving Kansas State up 21-19 with 1:50 left in the third quarter.

Seth Porter appeared to put the Wildcats up by two scores with a 62-yard punt return for a touchdown, but a penalty nullified the score. The Wildcats had another touchdown wiped out by a penalty, but Johnson ran for a first down on third-and-10 to keep the drive alive. Eight plays later, Johnson and Brown connected for the crucial touchdown.

On the first play of the ensuing drive, Jacob Parrish intercepted an Armstrong pass to all but seal the victory. The Wildcats were able to run out the final 2:33.

–Field Level Media

Oct 21, 2023; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Avery Johnson (5) drops back to pass during the first quarter against the TCU Horned Frogs at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

Backups in focus for No. 18 NC State, No. 25 Kansas State in Pop-Tarts Bowl

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The official name is the Pop-Tarts Bowl, but the tasty matchup set to be played Thursday in Orlando, Fla., might as well be called the Transfer Bowl.

The game will feature No. 18 North Carolina State and No. 25 Kansas State, which had a combined 33 players enter the transfer portal, in their first-ever matchup on the football field. All-American linebacker Payton Wilson also announced Sunday he won’t play in the game, choosing to focus on the NFL draft preparations instead.

This game, formed in 1990 as the Blockbuster Bowl, has gone by a variety of names, including the Carquest Bowl, Champs Sports Bowl and Camping World Bowl. The moniker doesn’t matter to NC State head coach Dave Doeren, who said he has nothing but respect for Kansas State.

“We are thrilled to be headed to Orlando to play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl,” Doeren said. “This will be a great reward for our team and we’re looking forward to a great trip and a great game. I think this was the right location for us to go.

“I grew up in Kansas City before Coach (Bill) Snyder was (at Kansas State), and it wasn’t much of a program. I have so much respect for what Coach Snyder did, twice, and now what Coach (Chris) Klieman has done.”

What Klieman did this year was lead the Wildcats to an 8-4 mark. In Klieman’s fifth season at the helm of the program, this is the fourth bowl berth for Kansas State.

Doeren’s Wolfpack (9-3) have some uncertainty at quarterback. Brennan Armstrong started the season as the starter but was replaced by MJ Morris after five games. Morris went 3-1 in four games before deciding to redshirt and eventually enter the transfer portal.

Armstrong finished the season completing 62.4 percent of his passes with 11 touchdowns and six interceptions. Doeren was pleased with Armstrong’s approach after being benched.

“My respect for him has always been high,” Doeren said, adding Armstrong handled the situation “as well as you can hope.”

There’s no uncertainty at quarterback for Kansas State, partly because of a lack of depth and partly because of excitement about the future.

Avery Johnson, the Wildcats’ freshman quarterback, will make his first career start after seven solid relief appearances in 2023. He backed up quarterback Will Howard, who entered the transfer portal with one year remaining, maybe because he envisioned his starting job being turned over to Johnson even if he stuck around.

Johnson finished the season 23-of-35 passing for 301 yards and three touchdowns, and he added 225 yards and six touchdowns on 45 carries. Five of those rushing touchdowns came in one game against Texas Tech, tying the school record for touchdown runs in a game.

“We all know he’s a really special talent,” Klieman told WIBW-TV. “I’m excited because I think we’re going to showcase a lot of his abilities.

“It’s a look into the future. He had some pretty good snaps this fall, so it’s not like he’s going to be nervous or anything. He’s a very confident guy. The players are confident in him and I think we’re going to have a lot of fun to see when he can do.”

Johnson is the only experienced quarterback on the roster as backups Jake Rubley and Adryan Lara joined Howard in the portal.

Should Kansas State need a backup in the game, they’ll likely turn to freshman Jacob Knuth, who has appealed for a waiver to play after transferring from Minnesota. If Knuth is not granted the waiver, backup safety Max Marsh would be the emergency quarterback.

The quarterback room is not the only place fans will see changes for Kansas State. Defensive captain Kobe Savage, a safety, and defensive end Nate Matlack lead the list of departures on that side of the ball.

–Field Level Media

Nov 25, 2023; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Will Howard (18) passes the ball during the fourth quarter against the Iowa State Cyclones at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

Kansas State QB Will Howard enters transfer portal

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Kansas State quarterback Will Howard announced Monday that he is leaving the school and entering the transfer portal.

Howard has spent the past four seasons with the Wildcats and holds the school record of 48 career passing touchdowns.

Howard also tied the school single-season record of 24 set by Ell Roberson in 2003. He passed for 2,643 yards and eight interceptions.

“It has been an absolute honor to play for Kansas State University,” Howard said on social media. “With that being said, I am going to explore the transfer portal and evaluate my options for next season. I’m looking forward to this next chapter in my life and the possibilities that lie ahead.”

Howard helped guide Kansas State to a memorable 31-28 overtime upset of TCU in the 2022 Big 12 championship game. The victory put the Wildcats in the Sugar Bowl, where they lost 45-20 to Alabama. Kansas State finished 10-4.

This season, Kansas State is 8-4 after losing 42-35 to visiting Iowa State on a snow-covered field on Saturday. Howard threw a touchdown pass in that game, giving him 15 over the past six games.

Overall, Howard passed for 5,786 yards and threw 25 interceptions in 34 games (27 starts) for the Wildcats. He also rushed for 19 scores.

–Field Level Media

Nov 25, 2023; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Will Howard (18) takes the snap during the second quarter against the Iowa State Cyclones at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

Abu Sama III powers Iowa State’s upset of No. 19 Kansas State

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Abu Sama III rushed for 276 yards and three touchdowns as Iowa State defeated No. 19 Kansas State 42-35 in a high-scoring affair, despite a heavy snowstorm in Manhattan, Kan.

The Cyclones had five scoring plays of at least 60 yards, including four of at least 70. Three of those long plays were runs by Sama.

Rocco Becht threw for 230 yards and three touchdowns despite throwing just 12 passes for Iowa State (7-5, 6-3 Big 12).

Will Howard was 24-of-48 for 288 yards with a touchdown and an interception for Kansas State (8-4, 6-3 Big 12).

Iowa State scored the first points of the third quarter with its third 70-plus-yard scoring play. Becht hit Jaylin Noel on a slant and Noel raced 79 yards to put the Cyclones up 21-20.

Howard rushed in for a 5-yard touchdown to help K-State regain the lead. He then flipped a pass to a crossing Phillip Brooks for the 2-point conversion and a 28-21 lead.

But the Cyclones tied it again when Sama had his third long run of the game. He outran the secondary for a 60-yard touchdown run.

Treshaun Ward scored on a 2-yard run early in the fourth quarter. But the Cyclones weren’t done. Becht hit Jayden Higgins on a 33-yard scoring play to tie it again at 35-all.

Noel then caught a short screen pass and raced up the right sideline for an 82-yard touchdown to give Iowa State the lead.

K-State’s final drive started on its own 2-yard line but the Wildcats turned it over on downs at the ISU 18.

Iowa State jumped out quickly, scoring on Sama’s 71-yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage. It was the longest run from scrimmage this season for the Cyclones. At least for a little while.

Sama fumbled on the next drive and K-State’s Austin Moore recovered at the Iowa State 39. K-State turned it into a 23-yard Chris Tennant field goal. K-State then went 80 yards in 14 plays, but again had to settle for a 22-yard field goal by Tennant, cutting the ISU lead to 7-6.

But on the first play of the second quarter, Sama did it again. This time, he went 77 yards.

The Wildcats cut it to 14-13 with a 1-yard touchdown run by DJ Giddens. K-State grabbed the lead just before halftime. The Wildcats took over on the Iowa State 41 after a punt caromed off an Iowa State player. Howard found Ben Sinnott on a tight end screen and Sinnott scored from the 15 for a 20-14 halftime lead.

–Field Level Media