Rapid Recap: Kansas State offense better when going faster
ADMISSION ON KANSAS STATE TEMPO
For those that want to see Kansas State continue to operate with tempo and a bit more pace on offense like we saw last Saturday against Oklahoma in Norman, it sounds like your wish will be granted. Head coach Chris Klieman made that clear when he wasn’t even directly asked about it.
He admitted that Collin Klein choosing to go fast and reel off a bunch of plays versus the Sooners was one of the keys of the night for K-State. Klieman pointed out that they were a better offense when they went faster. It gave them rhythm.
The Kansas State head coach also admitted that, in the past, they’d want to slow it down versus Texas Tech just because they reel off a bunch of plays on offense and snap the ball very quickly as well. But they can’t afford to do that. They have to go fast as well.
However, he did acknowledge that the key to going fast is to convert on third down.
UPDATE ON LEINGANG
Unfortunately, the update on K-State offensive lineman Andrew Leingang is not a promising one. Klieman shared that the North Dakota native is out indefinitely with a medical issue. They’re awaiting further tests, and additional tests will be completed and they’re listening to the doctors.
Obviously, that makes the offensive line situation more precarious for the Wildcats. They’ve already been deal with a lot of adversity in that group. Taylor Poitier is lost for the season after an injury, Hadley Panzer is a little banged up and Cooper Beebe and KT Leveston have been battling cramps.
12 ONE-WEEK SEASONS FOR K-STATE
The Big 12 is a very balanced league. Everyone can beat everyone and that isn’t hyperbole. Even Kansas has taken a giant step forward and West Virginia is still a team that will force you to earn the win. Because of that, Kansas State is approaching it as if there are 12 one-week seasons.
We’ll see if it works. They are attempting to come down from the emotional high of the win over Oklahoma and recalibrate and shift the focus entirely to Texas Tech. Their first attempt at doing so was a failure when they responded to the victory over Missouri with a loss at home to Tulane.
Joey McGuire and the Red Raiders are tasked with a similar job. Texas Tech knocked off Texas at home for the first time since 2008, stormed the field and were very jubilant afterwards. Returning to equilibrium and having the appropriate amount of concentration and energy when in Manhattan for an 11:00 a.m. kick will be a challenge.
It is a hangover bowl of sorts between the Wildcats and Red Raiders.
MORE SNAPS
More snaps are ahead for both K-State safety TJ Smith and nose guard Uso Seumalo, according to the Wildcat football boss. He was very pleased how both did in spot duty on Saturday night in the upset win over the Sooners.
KSO also identified those two as emerging and giving great minutes for the Wildcats. Smith had been banged up and was as healthy as he’s been all season and it showed. He tackled well and played with confidence.
Seumalo has played just a little bit here and there in about every game, but he always seems to make splash plays in the limited amount of playing time he receives. I have been selfishly wanting to see more of him and Klieman wants the same.
FURTHER HEALTH UPDATES
Although it didn’t look particularly optimistic at one point, the prognosis for safety Drake Cheatum is a positive one. Klieman said he was fine and available, and Cheatum was then one of the players that spoke to the media on Tuesday. There are no concerns. That’s great to hear after he played his best game of the season.
Nate Matlack tried to give it a go on Saturday night but he just couldn’t respond or play through the pain. There is hope that more rest will be the solution and that he will have a chance to play when they host Texas Tech this weekend.
