BIG1215
Words from the Big 12 Writers from around the conference weigh in on their teams
KANSAS STATE WILDCATS
Slow start keeps Wildcats playing catch-up
By Greg Guggisberg Kansas State Collegian
NORMAN, Okla. — In the press conference following the 42-30 loss to the Oklahoma Sooners, head coach Bill Snyder was quick to dismiss any notion of a moral victory.
"They ought to be upset and disappointed that they lost a ball game against no matter who it is." Snyder said about the team's postgame attitude. "That was a great football team down here at Oklahoma, but you ought to be disappointed you lost because that is what the competitive nature is all about."
That being said, it was evident the coach was pleased with the Wildcats' resiliency, especially after struggling on both offense and defense during the first quarter, which provided the Sooners a 21-0 lead. However, an early deficit was almost impossible to avoid, as the Sooner defense has not allowed any first quarter points all season.
Overall, I thought the Wildcats played well. The Wildcats were going to have to play a near-perfect game to beat the Sooners at home. After all, it hasn't happened since 2005. And yes, it is too bad they started so slowly. If
you take away even one of those three early touchdowns, the Wildcats would have been right there at the end of the game.
The first quarter was bad, but as the second quarter played out, the Wildcats started to gain some momentum. By the third quarter, the Wildcats looked like the an equallytalented team. However, the Sooners pulled away in the fourth quarter after quarterback Landry Jones led multiple drives past the worn-out K-State defense.
The most telling statistic in this game was in the turnover column. Up until the fourth quarter, when quarterback Grant Gregory was forced to throw on every play to try and score quickly, there had been zero turnovers by either team. Part of K-State's success against Texas A&M and Colorado was a high turnover margin. The Aggies and Buffalooes coughed up the ball multiple times, which led to good field position for the Wildcats.
In the Oklahoma game, the Wildcats never had that. Aside from the kick return for a touchdown by Brandon Banks, the team started on its own side of the field on every drive. That makes it extremely tough to score, especially for a team that has struggled on offense most of the year.
Oklahoma's DeMarco Murray dives in for a touchdown against Kansas State during the second half of their game last Saturday in Norman, Okla. Oklahoma beat Kansas State 42-30.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
COLORADO BUFFALOES
Tigers hold off Buffaloes' 2nd-half offensive surge
By Pat Graham Associated Press
BOULDER, Colo. — Behind a 33-0 start and a swarming defensive unit that had eight sacks and forced four turnovers, Missouri held off Colorado, 36-17, on Saturday.
The Tigers (5-3, 1-3 Big 12) roared out, leading 33-0 late in the second quarter and appearing to be on their way to another rout of Colorado (2-6, 1-3).
Instead, the Tigers had to hold off Colorado's second-half surge. The defense came up big in the final quarter, ending three Colorado drives on fourth-down stops and another on an interception.
"We were on a mission and we knew we couldn't lose this game," linebacker Zaviar Gooden said.
"You talk about your options every week and the tangible is that you have to win out to go to a bowl game." Colorado coach Dan
The Buffaloes thought they were on a similar mission.
Hawkins said. "Regardless of what's on the line, we need to show up."
The fans are growing restless, chanting for the firing of Hawkins after a dismal first half.
Is Hawkins losing this team?
"That's people's opinion," Buffaloes receiver Scotty McKnight said. "I know there is a lot of negativity out there, but as a player you have to remain positive no matter what the circumstances."
With their 33-point start, the Tigers had a streak of 139 unanswered points against Colorado spanning the last three games, which was finally halted with Aric Goodman's 48-yard field goal just before halftime for the Buffaloes.
Colorado had a different attitude in the third quarter, with the offense finally showing some spark as Rodney Stewart scored on a 3-yard run.
The momentum was short-lived.
Missouri bottled up Colorado in the fourth quarter, coming up with one clutch stop after another.
IOWA STATE CYCLONES
Arnaud slated to start against Oklahoma State
AMES, Iowa — Two days, 1,000 miles, one practice and a team dinner after losing to Big 12 South foe Texas A&M 35-10, the ISU football team is ready to move on.
By Chris Cuellar Iowa State Daily
Playing at Jack Trice Stadium for only the second time since September and returning injured players to the lineup, the Cyclones are prepared to learn quickly from their problems on the road against the Aggies and welcome their next challenge.
Junior quarterback and team captain Austen Arnau is projected as Iowa State's starter for Saturday after seeing the field for only one play since his hand injury in the second half against Baylor three weeks ago.
Arnaud's leadership ability, as well as his game experience, will be a reaffirming sight for Cyclone fans once he returns to the field, and No. 4 is ready to get back to action as well.
"I was elected captain and I feel like my
The surprising return of Reggie Stephens, coming off of an appendectomy last Wednesday, is also expected in Saturday's lineup. Stephens, a senior from Rowlett, Texas, had made 37 straight starts on the Cyclone offensive line before sitting out against Texas A&M.
"[His return] shocks me, and it shocked our training staff as a matter of fact — he's a player that as the scouts come through, they think he's an NFL player," Rhoads said. "He's got talent, he's got intelligence. It will be very important to our overall team success to get him back in the lineup."
Stephens' return will bring some continuity back to the offensive line, which had moved around all members but left tackle Kelechi Osemele for the start on Saturday. The Cyclones lead the Big 12 in rushing yards and are also tied for eighth in the country for fewest sacks allowed.
role is huge. Even when I'm not playing — it's so key for us to lead vocally and help out our guys that are playing." Arnaud said.
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THE WAVE NOVEMBER 6,2009