Rapid Recap: The Kansas State culture is credited for the win

ADRIAN COMES UP BIG FOR KANSAS STATE

Adrian Martinez had another big game for Kansas State in the win against Iowa State. He completed 12 of his 19 passes for 248 yards and a touchdown and probably should have had another touchdown if Malik Knowles wouldn’t have been stripped at the one yard line.

He also added 77 yards on the ground on 19 carries and even added a reception for 11 yards on the drive that led to the game-winning field goal.

Martinez was knocked and criticized incessantly for his turnovers and inability to make enough plays in tight games for the win while was at Nebraska. But he’s paved the way in three straight one-win games for K-State and done so without turning over the ball.

He has been poised, calm under pressure and has kept Kansas State out of negative plays and gotten them into better ones, according to head coach Chris Klieman.

KANSAS STATE CULTURE

Once again, the K-State culture played a big factor in a road win under the lights. Martinez credited it for the victory. He noted the perseverance and resolve of the team, a continued trust in each other and having confidence in all of his teammates.

Klieman shared how fun it is to find wins like that when you’re not at your best. And it is a product of remaining tough, staying in the fight and the players caring so much about one another. They want to come through for each other.

He continues to state that it is a fun group to be around on a daily basis.

BEAUTIFUL BYE WEEK

After a 5-1 start to the season and a 3-0 conference record, Kansas State heads into their bye week. They are the only team in the Big 12 with a 3-0 record by the way. Both Oklahoma State and TCU are 2-0. Kansas fell at home and are no longer unscathed in the league.

And it is coming at a great time for K-State. It is right at the halfway mark, but more than that, they need time to heal and recover. They are as beat up as we can remember them being. Several are dinged up, including Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Daniel Green, Nate Matlack, Khalid Duke and Deuce Vaughn.

Martinez even entered the postgame media room with a shiner on his face.

K-State will want to have that group ready to go when they travel to Fort Worth in two weeks to take on TCU.

PURNELL SHINES

One week after he provided a monster performance against Texas Tech, Kansas State edge player Khalid Duke left the game early due to an injury and did not return. He was replaced by redshirt freshman Desmond Purnell who logged the most snaps of his career.

And he came through in a big way. He recorded three tackles and two pass break-ups. Purnell was prepared for the moment after he took all of the reps while Duke missed time during spring ball and fall camp.

Klieman called his linebacker a terrific kid, a fierce competitor and someone who personifies K-State.