Kansas State’s defense proves it can be a plus (VIDEO)

Football, and everything surrounding it, can be so fickle.

That’s why Kansas State senior linebacker Jonathan Truman laughed when asked how, just a month ago, the Wildcats’ defense was the biggest question mark on the team ... and three games later they’re the best thing since sliced bread.

“We heard the question-mark thing, but our attitude was kind of to hear what people were saying, but not to listen to it,” said Truman, a Kapaun Mount Carmel product who leads the team with 43 tackles. “I think you ask anybody on our defense, and we expect to be good as long as we prepare the right way.”

That preparation has been sharp over the last three games, all stellar performances by the defense — a heartbreaking loss to No. 2 Auburn and blowout wins over UTEP and Texas Tech. In that span, No. 17 K-State (4-1, 2-0 Big 12) hasn’t given up a rushing touchdown and opposing teams are averaging 81.4 rushing yards.

The Wildcats also stymied Texas Tech’s passing attack last Saturday, intercepting Davis Webb four times.

“(The defense) has been somewhat consistent, and that’s what we hope for,” K-State coach Bill Snyder said. “They’re easy to work with because they work hard on the practice field, they’re committed to preparation and committed to trying to improve day in and day out. It’s a good group of young guys.”

A group that was feeling some heat after squeezing out a 32-28 win at Iowa State on Sept. 6 in Ames.

That day, the Cyclones seemed to do what they want against K-State in the first half, when Iowa State scored all 28 of its points.

Never mind that K-State pitched a second-half shutout that day, the questions were there.

“It might be a surprise to some people that we’re playing well,” K-State defensive tackle Travis Britz said. “It’s no surprise to us. We just keep working. We’ve been successful so far, but there’s a lot of areas to improve.”

The Wildcats are off until traveling to No. 11 Oklahoma (4-1, 1-1) on Oct. 18.

“Oklahoma, they have the capacity offensively that they can run it and they can throw it,” Snyder said. “(Trevor) Knight’s completion percentage is down, but the throws he’s making are difficult throws. Last week, Webb’s throws are all in the four- to five-yard category, just raising up and throwing it outside.

“Knight is casting the ball downfield, where you have to be on target and it’s a little harder to complete. What they lose in completion percentage, they make it up in big plays. Their running backs can make yardage on their own and they’re quick enough to get to the outside. Knight can also bring it down and run it.”

So, the Sooners will take some time to prepare for.

“Seeing the success we’ve had on defense gives us a little sense of pride, but at the same time we check ourselves,” Truman said. “We have a lot of humble guys that are eager to get better, no matter how well we perform on Saturdays. I think keeping things in perspective is important for us.”

Snyder turns 75 — Snyder, the oldest coach in the Bowl Subdivision, turned 75 Tuesday and offered a few nuggets of wisdom and reflection.

“If you pay attention, you learn an awful lot (in life),” Snyder said. “Part of it is choosing the right people to embrace in your life, making your family important, being who you are, work hard at whatever it is you do ... but a ton of things you learn just by having good people in your life.”

And, as he has done many times in the past, Snyder credited his mother, Marionetta, for steering him on the right path.

“My mother was the true guiding light in my life,” Snyder said. “Any good things about me certainly came from her.”

Snyder laughed when asked if he had any birthday plans.

“I’ll be right here, doing what we always do,” Snyder said. “Evaluating film after our practice, looking at practice tape, looking at Oklahoma tape. Same old.”

This story was originally published October 7, 2014 at 4:11 PM with the headline "Kansas State’s defense proves it can be a plus (VIDEO)."