Grades from Kansas State’s win over TCU and a look ahead to the Sunflower Showdown
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Defense produced two touchdowns, Purnell’s interceptions and big plays decided.
- Offense struggled overall yet held possession, Johnson threw three touchdowns.
- Team enters off week to heal injuries and prepare for high-stakes Sunflower Showdown.
The Kansas State football team learned a valuable lesson during a 41-28 victory over TCU on Saturday at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
You can’t lose a close game when you win big.
Much has been made about how the Wildcats have lost four games by a combined total of 13 points this season. But fans forgot all about that stat as K-State zoomed to a 35-14 lead over the Horned Frogs thanks to a complete team effort that featured nearly as many touchdowns on defense (two) as on offense (three).
Things are beginning to look up again for K-State.
Let’s dive into those topics and more with analysis from the TCU game, plus a look ahead to the Sunflower Showdown against Kansas ...
Player of the game: Desmond Purnell
The Kansas State linebacker will be a strong candidate for Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week. His stat line from the TCU game looks like it came out of a video game — five tackles, two interceptions, two tackles for loss and one sack.
He also returned one of his interceptions for a touchdown.
“Desmond was having one of those days,” K-State football coach Chris Klieman said. “I am so happy for him and his family and the game that he had.”
Stat of the game & quote to note
K-State scored a pair of touchdowns on defense. It’s hard to lose when that happens.
As for the quote ...
“We’re an ascending football team. I think we’re getting better in all areas.” — Klieman.
K-State football grades
Offense: B. The Wildcats weren’t at their best on offense. TCU (448 yards) out-gained K-State (343 yards) by a significant margin. But the home team did some nice things, like possessing the ball for 36 minutes, 20 seconds. Avery Johnson threw for 198 yards and three touchdowns. Garrett Oakley found the end zone twice. And Joe Jackson rushed for 110 yards.
Defense: A+. Wesley Fair returned a fumble for a touchdown in the second quarter. Desmond Purnell returned an interception for a touchdown in the third quarter. It didn’t really matter what the rest of the defense did after those big plays. Joe Klanderman’s defense won this game.
Special Teams: B. Luis Rodriguez kicked a pair of field goals in the fourth quarter. There weren’t many other opportunities for big plays in this area.
Coaching: A. Some gave up on this team after it lost at Baylor and slumped to a 2-4 record. But the Wildcats are still playing hard. Klieman deserves credit for that. A bowl game remains within reach. K-State can also prove that it is an “ascending” team in upcoming games against Kansas and Texas Tech.
Next up for K-State: at Kansas
First things first, the Wildcats are about to get a much-needed off week.
Starting running back Dylan Edwards could use that time to get healthy. Top wide receiver Jayce Brown has also been playing at less than 100%. Tobi Osunsanmi, JB Nelson, Bryce Noernberg and Adonis Moise also missed the TCU game because of injuries.
K-State will gladly take a few days off and hope for a better injury report before it turns it attention to rival Kansas.
But it’s hard not to look ahead to the Sunflower Showdown. The stakes are going to be high when K-State and KU meet on Oct. 25 in Lawrence.
Kansas (4-3, 2-2 Big 12) has the better record, but that won’t mean much to KU fans if they lose to the Wildcats. KU has not beaten its cross-state rival since 2008, and some have circled this season as the time for that streak to end.
K-State (3-4, 2-2 Big 12) got off to a nightmarish start to the season, but much of that will be forgiven if the Wildcats continue their winning streak over the Jayhawks and get back to .500 in the process.
The Jayhawks are coming off a 42-17 loss to Texas Tech. The Wildcats are coming off a 41-28 win over TCU.
For once, it feels like anything could happen at the Sunflower Showdown.