Wildcat report
First quarter
Key play: Morgan Burns returned a kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown. It was K-State’s only positive of the opening 15 minutes.
Key stat: Texas Tech amassed 298 yards.
Second quarter
Key play: Joe Hubener completed a 35-yard pass to Kyle Klein on third down to extend a drive, leading to a touchdown.
Key stat: Joe Hubener threw for 102 yards.
Third quarter
Key play: Will Geary forced a fumble and recovered the loose ball to give K-State good field position.
Key stat: Hubener didn’t complete a pass.
Fourth quarter
Key play: Texas Tech recovered K-State’s final onside kick attempt, effectively ending the game.
Key stat: K-State scored 16 consecutive points.
Report card
Offense: C. Texas Tech entered the game allowing nearly 300 yards rushing, yet K-State attempted more passes than runs. It moved the ball well at times, but didn’t play to its strength much of the way.
Defense: F. K-State defensive backs appeared lost early trying to stop Texas Tech’s passing attack with zone coverage. The front seven also got burned against the run. The Red Raiders topped 600 yards.
Special teams: C. Burns gave K-State early hope with a kickoff return, but the Wildcats managed few other positive plays on special teams. Its punting was particularly poor.
Coaching: C. K-State has fallen into a bad habit of allowing opposing teams score on the opening drive, including Saturday, which suggests the coaching staff doesn’t have the team properly prepared.
Player of the game
Tech running back DeAndre Washington gashed K-State for 248 yards and three touchdowns on 27 carries. He averaged 9.2 yards.
Reason to hope
Three regular-season games remain. New recruits and healthy players could give K-State a new look in 2016.
Reason to mope
The Wildcats simply aren’t playing well enough to win. Outside of Kansas, no team has looked worse throughout the Big 12 season.
Looking ahead
A home game against Iowa State provides an excellent opportunity for K-State to snap its losing streak, but the Cyclones looked good on Saturday in a narrow loss to Oklahoma State. The Wildcats and Cyclones typically play each other close. Expect the same next week.
Klein stands out
Kyle Klein played the finest game of his Kansas State career. The senior receiver grabbed six passes for 131 yards and a touchdown. Many of his catches were difficult ones in the face of coverage, but he used his size and hands to pick up long gains.
“I was so proud of him,” K-State coach Bill Snyder said. “He went up and made some plays. Obviously, he is a big, physical wide receiver, but he was so competitive for so many throws and made some heavily contested catches.”
Klein has battled injuries this season and missed games. At times it is difficult for him to practice. But he came through when his team needed him on Saturday.
Why not run?
Snyder defended K-State’s strategy to throw 42 times and run 34. Though Texas Tech has struggled mightily against the run this season, and the Wildcats are at their best on the ground, he wanted to maintain a balanced approach.
“It’s just who we are,” Snyder said. “We have got to be able to throw the ball and have balance in our offense to be a productive offensive football team. If we are one-sided and you are a decent football team than we are in trouble.”
Cook misses time
Senior receiver Kody Cook didn’t play in the second half after suffering an injury on a catch in the first half. Snyder said he didn’t know the extent of the injury.
Kellis Robinett: @kellisrobinett
This story was originally published November 14, 2015 at 8:20 PM with the headline "Wildcat report."