Grades from K-State’s 21-6 win over Texas Tech and a look ahead to Iowa State
The Kansas State Wildcats defeated the Texas Tech Red Raiders 21-6 on Saturday at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
Here are some grades, thoughts and awards from the football game.
Player of the game
Wyatt Hubert and Reggie Walker: The Wildcats mounted an impressive pass rush against the Red Raiders. Hubert and Walker were the main reasons why, complementing each other perfectly on opposite ends of the defensive line. Hubert had two sacks and five tackles. Walker had two sacks and six tackles.
Play of the game
Skylar Thompson found Malik Knowles for an eight-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter. It wasn’t the prettiest scoring play of K-State’s season, but it was the only touchdown in this game.
Stat of the game
181: Texas Tech couldn’t even eclipse 200 total yards against K-State. It entered the game averaging almost 500.
Quote to note
“I think everyone across the board on defense played extremely well. You have to look at who you line up and play against and Texas Tech is a good offensive team as you’ll find. Numbers will probably prove that.” — Bill Snyder.
Grades
Offense — C: This would have been a banner day for K-State’s offense, if it could have finished a few more drives with touchdowns. The Wildcats entered the red zone seven times and scored just one touchdown. They came up empty on three trips. K-State’s short-yardage plays need major improvement. Otherwise, it was a solid showing. Skylar Thompson gave the unit an obvious upgrade at quarterback by throwing for 213 yards and a touchdown. Alex Barnes added 136 yards on the ground.
Defense — A+: What more could you ask from K-State’s defense? The Wildcats created three turnovers and flirted with one or two more while holding the Red Raiders to 181 yards. Yes, Texas Tech was without starting quarterback Alan Bowman, but Jett Duffey didn’t have any trouble moving the ball against Texas last week. Justin Huges, Hubert and Walker all had great games. Blake Seiler deserves credit for the work he has done with K-State’s defense this season.
Special teams — A: This was K-State’s best game on special teams in quite some time. Blake Lynch connected on four field goals, Brock Monty blocked a punt, which resulted in a safety, and Phillip Brooks had a 33-yard return.
Coaching — B: Bill Snyder was in serious danger of posting his lowest victory total for a season since 1989 two weeks ago when the Wildcats fell to 3-6. But they responded with home wins over Kansas and Texas Tech to keep their bowl hopes alive. They can pull off another late-season turnaround with a win at Iowa State in the regular-season finale.
Next up
Kansas State will head to Iowa State for its final game of the regular season at 6 p.m. on Saturday. The game will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1.
It will be an interesting game for both teams. The Wildcats can clinch bowl eligibility with a win. The Cyclones can improve their bowl stock and make a run at nine wins with a victory.
K-State has won its last two games, but both of those games came at home. The Wildcats haven’t won a road game all season. Iowa State is coming off a dispiriting loss at Texas, but the Cyclones have still won five of the past six.
This will be a matchup of some of the Big 12’s best running backs, with Alex Barnes going against David Montgomery.
The Wildcats have owned the Cyclones under Bill Snyder, and have won 10 straight over the Cyclones. Iowa State was painfully close to ending that losing streak last season in Manhattan, but Thompson won the game with a touchdown pass to Isaiah Zuber on the final play. Matt Campbell and his players will have revenge on their minds.
This story was originally published November 18, 2018 at 11:56 AM.