Kansas.com: Kansas State Wildcats

Kansas State looks sharp in exhibition against Pittsburg State

Kellis Robinett — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:29 CST

MANHATTAN — The final score of 89-53 didn't mean all that much to Kansas State men's basketball coach Frank Martin.

The Wildcats easily won their exhibition opener on Sunday, which was nice, and none of his players got hurt in the process, which was better. But more than anything all he wanted to see from his team the first time out was growth.

As long as K-State's five freshmen and newcomer Curtis Kelly could blend in well with their veteran teammates it would be a good day in his eyes.

Sunflower Showdown goes to Kansas State

KELLIS ROBINETT — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 02:24 CST

MANHATTAN — It wasn't that long ago that the Governor's Cup lived in a Kansas State trophy case on a year-round basis.

Bill Snyder was the Kansas State football coach back then, and he recalls winning the hardware so many times that the award presentations following all those victories against cross-state rival Kansas became "matter of fact" for his players.

They listened to the governor talk, posed for pictures with the trophy and moved on. There wasn't much to the celebration.

Sutton keeps his game in range

KELLIS ROBINETT — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:07 CST

MANHATTAN — As long as Dominique Sutton is a member of the Kansas State basketball team, coach Frank Martin expects to be asked the same prevailing question about his game.

When is he going to become a better shooter?

In his two seasons, the 6-foot-5 junior guard has made 6 of 28 three-point attempts. Martin, though, says Sutton is improving by the day.

Wildcat report

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:07 CST

First Quarter

Key play: Emmanuel Lamur intercepted a Todd Reesing pass on Kansas' second possession near the end zone and helped keep the first quarter scoreless.

Key stat: Minus-2, the Wildcats' passing yards in the opening 15 minutes.

KU-KSU BOX SCORE

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:07 CST

Scoring

Kansas0 7 0 3 — 10 Kansas State0 10 7 0 — 17

Attendance—48,306.

High stakes for KU-KSU

J. BRADY MCCOLLOUGH — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:43 CST

All week, Kansas and Kansas State players and coaches downplayed the magnitude of today's game at Snyder Family Stadium. But for evidence that the Sunflower Showdown is indeed important for gauging where each program is headed, it would be wise to remember the aftermath of last season's game:

The Jayhawks pounded the Wildcats 52-21 in Lawrence for their third straight victory over K-State, and KU players said things like "I think the tide has finally turned in favor of Kansas." A few days later, K-State athletic director Bob Krause fired coach Ron Prince, who was 0-3 against KU. Krause couldn't deny that the beating at the hands of the Jayhawks was the backbreaker for the Prince regime.

"That certainly was a factor, yeah," Krause said then.

What the critics are saying about Frank Martin's winter collection

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:27 CST

In his first two seasons at Kansas State, Jacob Pullen played in both the NIT and NCAA Tournament.

The guard enjoyed both experiences, but he only has one goal in mind for his junior year.

"You want to go back to the NCAA," Pullen said. "There's nothing wrong with the NIT, but after being in the NCAA it's like having a fine wine. You don't want to go drink a nasty, cheap wine after that. You want fine wine.

Kansas at Kansas State statistics

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:33 CST

11:30 a.m. today at Snyder Family Stadium (50,000), Manhattan

Radio: KFH, 1240-AM, 98.7-FM; KFTI, 1070-AM

TV: Versus, Ch. 257

Nothing has changed: Snyder remains capable of getting best from team

KELLIS ROBINETT — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:05 CST

MANHATTAN — Bill Snyder can't relate to his players through twitter or rap music, and at the age of 70 he isn't likely to learn how anytime soon. But at this point, it wouldn't make a whole lot of sense for him to adapt his old coaching ways to the present times.

They seem to be holding up just fine.

The killer hours, the demanding practices, the always-pushing-to-be-better mentality — even after wins — have the Kansas State football team on the right track today just as they did when Snyder first came to Manhattan.

Kansas at Kansas State

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:07 CST

What's at stake

The winner could easily go on to win the Big 12 North. A K-State win keeps the Cats in prime position. A KU win has the Jayhawks back in the race if they can win out.

KU will win if...

kansas at Kansas state

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:07 CST

When: 11:30 a.m. Saturday

Where: Snyder Family Stadium, Manhattan

Records: KU 5-3, 1-3 Big 12; KSU 5-4, 3-2

K-State exploits homefield advantage

KELLIS ROBINETT — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:22 CST

MANHATTAN — When playing away from home, the Kansas State football team is unpredictable. It has lost big, lost close and won by blocking a late extra-point attempt.
But at home the Wildcats are completely different.
When taking the field at Snyder Family Stadium this season, they've led almost from start to finish, played stingy defense and won all four of their games. Two by convincing fashion.

Kansas State's Thomas battles pain

KELLIS ROBINETT — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:52 CST

MANHATTAN — With a loss to Oklahoma still fresh in his mind, Daniel Thomas didn't feel like standing.
The junior running back had just gutted out 88 yards on 16 carries against one of the nation's best defensive fronts and, as he does in most games, also took direct snaps out of the wildcat formation and threw for 41 yards.
That kind of workload can wear on anyone, and Thomas is no different. Add a nagging shoulder injury into the equation and it was no surprise to see Thomas looking for a place to sit outside the visiting locker room while he fulfilled his media obligations.

Banks keeps reeling in honors for KSU

KELLIS ROBINETT — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:05 CST

MANHATTAN — By now, Kansas State wide receiver Brandon Banks has got to be a Monday person.
That's the day the Big 12 Conference announces its player of the week awards, and Banks has been honored as the special teams performer three times this season after picking up the third award Monday.
Banks, a senior, tied a program record with 351 all-purpose yards and returned a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown in K-State's 42-30 loss at No. 22 Oklahoma.

Oklahoma holds off Kansas State

KELLIS ROBINETT — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 23:29 CDT

NORMAN, Okla. — The Kansas State football team came to Oklahoma as a big underdog. After a forgettable first quarter in which the Wildcats fell 21 points behind, the prospect of an upset seemed almost impossible.
But in the face of a big deficit and 84,021 fans rooting against them, the Wildcats fought back and made things extremely interesting before falling to the Sooners 42-30 on Saturday.
How interesting?

Wildcat report

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 23:28 CDT

First Quarter
Key play: Oklahoma flexed its defensive muscle early. On K-State's first possession, OU's Jeremy Beal sacked Grant Gregory for a 9-yard loss on third down without exerting much effort.
Key stat: Landry Jones threw three touchdowns in the opening 11 minutes.

Oklahoma-Kansas State box score

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 23:27 CDT

Scoring
Kansas State 0 9 14 7 — 30
Oklahoma 21 7 0 14 — 42

Jones growing into role at Oklahoma

KELLIS ROBINETT — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 02:12 CDT

MANHATTAN — After twice injuring his shoulder this season, Sam Bradford is done at Oklahoma. The Heisman Trophy winning quarterback will likely take his next snap in the NFL.
Moving on without such a talented player hasn't been easy for Oklahoma. When Bradford initially went down in a season-opening loss to BYU, the Sooners scored 13 points. When Bradford reinjured himself during a loss to Texas, OU again scored 13. In Oklahoma's loss to Miami, it scored 20.
All three of the Sooners' setbacks could easily be blamed on their offense, but with freshman Landry Jones now looking more comfortable under center, Oklahoma may not have to rely so much on its defense anymore.

K-state at OU

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:03 CDT

6 tonight at Memorial Stadium (82,112), Norman, Okla. Radio: KFTI, 1070-AM; KSGL, 900-AM

TV: FSN, Ch. 34

What's at stake today

Kansas State at No. 22 Oklahoma

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:08 CDT

What's at stake

Kansas State will control its own destiny in the Big 12 North race no matter what happens, but the Wildcats could gain an enormous amount of respect by pulling the upset. The Wildcats could even turn some heads with a competitive loss.

Cheers if . . .