Kansas State players of the game in loss to TCU

KANSAS STATE OFFENSIVE MVP: Will Howard

That game consisted of some of the most unfortunate circumstances I’ve ever seen Kansas State given in a single game. Injuries piled up and would not relent and there were some calls from the officials that were questionable on more than one occasion that favored TCU.

However, when Adrian Martinez left with his injury very early in the contest, it was Will Howard that came in and looked great. He ended up going down with his own injury of his own for a period of time and was replaced by redshirt freshman Jake Rubley.

Before being knocked out, Howard accounted for three touchdowns and was throwing the ball with impressive touch and velocity.

He returned and finished the game and ultimately threw TCU’s game-clinching interception. But the loss isn’t on the backup quarterback. Two missed field goals and a missed opportunity on a fourth and short in TCU’s territory in the second half were very detrimental for K-State.

Deuce Vaughn dealt with some injuries that limited him a bit, but he was still really good when he was on the field and received his chances. He averaged almost seven yards per carry and scored a touchdown. Vaughn also caught four passes and pushed his total offensive output over 100 yards on only 16 total touches.

Kade Warner was a positive early in the game and made one of the most impressive catches of the season from any Kansas State player. It happened on a Will Howard heave where Warner had to steal the ball away from the defensive back who arguably committed a defensive pass interface on the play.

It went for a score and gave K-State a boost before injuries just got way too out of hand.

There was one touchdown drop that Warner wishes he had back when Kansas State trailed late. It was slightly overthrown by Howard, but Warner went for the one-handed catch that negated what might have been a massive play had he gone for it with both hands.

KANSAS STATE DEFENSIVE MVP: Austin Moore

The defense was handed a slew of injuries, which included cornerback Julius Brents and linebacker Daniel Green. Both were playing exceptionally well before getting dinged up and leaving the field. Felix Anudike-Uzomah even was in and out of the game due to his own ailments.

Austin Moore was one of the few to stay healthy throughout the game for K-State. The leading Wildcat tackler this season led the team with five solo tackles and was second to only reserve middle linebacker Nick Allen in total tackles.

Safeties Josh Hayes and Cincere Mason played some quality snaps before Kansas State became too wounded. Khalid Duke was called for a targeting penalty in the second half, and that ended his night early and will keep him sidelined for the first half of next week’s matchup with Oklahoma State at home.

True freshman cornerback Jacob Parrish almost had a key interception in later in the contest but just missed the opportunity when his foot landed on the sideline as he caught it. The pass rush got home on four separate occasions by four different Wildcats.

KANSAS STATE SPECIAL TEAMS MVP: Ty Zentner

Chris Tennant missed two field goals from intermediate range, and that hurt K-State in a significant way. It will be interesting to see if there are any changes in that department. He has been far from consistent this season.

Ty Zentner only punted it twice but dropped both inside the 20-yard line. Phillip Brooks had one good kick return for 41 yards.