K-State will be ‘patching it together’ on offense without key playmakers at Utah
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- K-State will deploy three-tight-end sets and expand targets after key injuries.
- Staff emphasizes downhill run and first-down gains to set up third-and-short.
- Utah's defense limits yards, while K-State must generate points despite roster losses.
Kansas State football coach Chris Klieman might not have been acting coy earlier this week when he said the Wildcats were still trying to figure out their offensive game plan for an upcoming matchup against Utah at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
With star running back Dylan Edwards no longer on the roster and top wide receiver Jayce Brown out with a season-ending injury, K-State is searching for new ways to move the ball.
And there don’t appear to be any easy solutions.
“We’re patching it together right now,” Klieman said.
Klieman has suggested that K-State may use more formations that feature three tight ends this week. The Wildcats may also look to get pass-catchers like Linkon Cure, Adonis Moise and Sterling Lockett more involved when quarterback Avery Johnson tries to move the chains with his arm.
Every option is on the table against a Utah defense that ranks second in the Big 12 in points allowed per game (15.6) and fourth in yards allowed per game (327.3).
Offensive coordinator Matt Wells can prove his worth in this matchup.
It will also be an opportunity for the K-Sate offensive line to make a statement. The Utes are one of the best defensive teams in the conference, but they aren’t always salty against the run. Teams have rushed for 1,432 yards and nine touchdowns against Utah this season.
Running the ball effectively, especially on first down, will be important for K-State. That may not be easy, considering the Wildcats are coming off a game in which they rushed for 107 yards and a touchdown during a 14-6 win against lowly Oklahoma State.
But it will be a point of emphasis.
“We have got to go back to the basics and be able to play some downhill run game,” Klieman said. “We need to three or four yards on first down so we are getting into third-and-two, where Avery becomes a bigger factor running the football and throwing the football.
“Sometimes when you misfire on something and you’re in second-and-10, it puts you behind the sticks the whole time. We’ve got to do some really good things to be into second-and-five. I’ve been a part of a few of the conversations about how we can be creative, but in the same respect you’re going to have to be able to block these guys.
“It’s going to be a challenge. We’ve got to play our best at tight end and offensive line and even some of the wide receivers on the perimeter with their blocking, too.”
Perhaps the most challenging aspect of Saturday’s game is that K-State will likely need to put up its fair share of points to pull off a road upset.
Utah is averaging 41.1 points per game this season. And the Utes have found a higher gear in recent wins over Colorado (53-7), Cincinnati (45-14) and Baylor (55-28).
Not only will the Wildcats have to keep pace, they will need to do it without some of their best playmakers.