BIG 12 19
Words from the Big 12 Writers from around the conference weigh in on their teams
ATED PRESS
NSAN
KANSAS STATE WILDCATS
Wildcats hope to rebound on Saturday
ASSOCIATED PRESS
What's at Stake
Kansas State is off to a slow start under head coach Bill Snyder in 2009. The defense has improved from last season, but the offense must establish itself as Big 12 conference play draws near.
Tennessee Tech has had mixed results in its first two games of the season, winning handily against Pikeville College and narrowly losing at No. 22 Eastern Kentucky.
An early-season win against an FBS opponent would be huge for head coach Watson Brown and the Golden Eagles.
Key Matchup
Tennessee Tech running backs vs. Kansas State's defensive line.The Golden Eagles are averaging 168 yards on the ground and also boast 5.8 yards per carry.
Senior defensive tackle Jeffrey Fitzgerald leads a Kansas State line that is giving up just 128.3 yards rushing and 4.3 yards per attempt.
The unit has also recorded nine tackles behind the line of scrimmage and recovered three fumbles.
Players to Watch
Tennessee Tech: Wide receiver Tim Benford. Although Benford hasn't crossed the goal line this season, he has been one of the Golden Eagles' strongest offensive weapons. Through two games, he has hauled in seven receptions for 116 yards, both team highs.
He leads the team in rushing with 294 yards and ranks fourth in receiving with 92.
Kansas State: running back Daniel Thomas. Thomas, a junior college transfer, continues to play several roles on Kansas State's struggling offense. Last week against UCLA, he totaled 115 all-purpose yardage and a rushing touchdown.
Kansas State quarterback Carson Coffman (14) is tackled by UCLA's Kyle Bosworth (54) during the first half their game last Saturday in Los Angeles. UCLA won 23-9.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
K-State offense, special teams struggling
By Justin Nutter
Kansas State Collegian
MANHATTAN — Conundrums as Carson Coffman and the K-State offense try to figure out the secret of moving the ball in opponent territory.
- Take a look at the numbers from K-State's loss at UCLA last weekend: 10 offensive drives, seven drives into Bruin territory, two scores, nine total points. Does not compute.
- If the Wildcats can't manage a respectable point total (28+) on Saturday against Tennessee Tech, then the offense can probably expect to have as much success in conference play as the defense did last season.
- Speaking of defense, it's amazing what Vic Koenning and Chris Cosh have been able to do with one of 2008's worst units in college football. It can't be seen much on the highlight reels, but the improvement is nothing short of fantastic.
- If the team doesn't play a solid game this weekend, it won't be because it lacked fan support. The game is just a few thousand tickets short of a sellout, and there's still three days until kickoff.
- To say the least, John Currie has done an outstanding job in the little time he's had. If you ever get a chance to meet and thank him for what he's done for K-State, I highly recommend it.
- Also on a lighter note, Josh Cherry won't be shut out in 2009. He connected on a 26-yard field goal in the first quarter at the Rose Bowl. Unfortunately, that relief was only temporary as he later missed a 40-yarder and an extra point snap was bobbled.
- Maybe Wildcat fans have just been spoiled with stellar kick/return units for the better part of the last two decades, but I still hate having to cross my fingers during every PAT attempt.
- Does anyone else miss the days when crossing the 50-yard line meant the team was in Martin Gramatica's range?
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THE WAVE SEPTEMBER 25, 2009