Desmond Purnell shines as the ‘underrated’ star of Kansas State’s win over TCU
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Desmond Purnell dominated TCU with five tackles, two TFLs, two INTs, a sack and TD.
- Purnell’s 25-yard pick-six swung momentum and drew jubilation on K-State sideline.
- Veteran linebacker converted consistency into game-changing plays that sealed 41-28 win.
In college football, it is rare for a defensive player to perform so well that he is considered the slam-dunk choice for Player of the Game.
But that is exactly what Desmond Purnell did during Kansas State’s 41-28 victory over TCU on Saturday at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
The senior linebacker from Topeka put up a dream stat line against the Horned Frogs: five tackles, two tackles for loss, two interceptions, one sack ... and a touchdown.
His scoring play (a 25-yard pick six) had K-State quarterback Avery Johnson pumping his fist with excitement on the sideline.
“It was the it was the best feeling in the world,” Johnson said. “We have just come off of the field after one of the worst three-and-outs that we’ve had in a while, and we were really frustrated.
“Coach (Matt) Wells was trying to get us right. He was talking to (Jaron) Tibbs and to me, just trying to get everything figured out. Then you hear the crowd erupt, and Desmond is strutting into the end zone. There’s nothing you can do but smile and just be happy because of the play Desmond made.”
Purnell was due for a game like this.
The veteran linebacker has been a steady contributor for the Wildcats all season and he entered Saturday with 32 tackles. But he hadn’t made many big-time plays like has in years past. They all came at once on a memorable day against the Horned Frogs.
“Desmond is one of the best players in our conference,” K-State football coach Chris Klieman said, “and I’ve said that for the last couple of years. He’s very underrated. He’s very smart, and he’s always that guy that can make those splash plays.”
Klieman said the K-State coaching staff put Purnell in good positions to make big plays against TCU by mixing up defensive coverages.
The Wildcats tried to confuse TCU quarterback Josh Hoover with different looks and formations than they showed in their first six games of the season. Purnell took advantage of those changes by grabbing a pair of interceptions, and nearly snagging a third.
He was so excited about his touchdown return that it was hard for him to remember how it happened.
“That was my third career touchdown, but I’ve never had a pick six before,” Purnell said. “My mind was everywhere. I couldn’t really think straight for those 30 seconds.”
Fellow K-State defensive back Gunner Maldonado had a close-up view for both of Purnell’s turnovers against TCU quarterback Josh Hoover.
“He was just reading the quarterback really well,” Maldonado said. “It’s hard to find linebackers who can really move in their zone and break on the ball. But that’s what he did twice today. He almost got a third one, too. I can’t say I’m surprised. He does that in practice all the time.”
Purnell has to be considered the favorite to win Big 12 Player of the Week honors on Monday.
He gave the Wildcats a major boost against the Horned Frogs, and they will head into the remainder of the season with momentum because of it.