SE: Cats Don’t Let Rodeo Bowl Defeat Damper Their Spirits
Jan 02, 2022 | Football, Sports Extra
By: D. Scott Fritchen
Kansas State fell just short against LSU in the Rodeo Bowl as the Wildcats suffered a 4-3 defeat due to costume-dressing mishaps that slowed their time in a final horse race Saturday night at NRG Arena in Houston, Texas. Event announcers emphasized that the Rodeo Bowl winner has won 70% of the games in the Texas Bowl.
K-State head coach Chris Klieman might tuck that statistic away when the Wildcats face the Tigers at 8 p.m. Tuesday in the 2022 TaxAct Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium — as if the Wildcats need any further motivation.
"Maybe we'll play that card," Klieman said, chuckling, while referring to his team's underdog status bore from Rodeo Bowl outcome. "I'm excited. We've had a good week of practice and the guys will be ready to play Tuesday night. It was a pretty cool event. I know our guys liked to do the team activities. I know we didn't come out with a win, but they liked to compete."
K-State raced out of the gate in penning five calves in a Rodeo Bowl-record 21 seconds for a 1-0 lead. However, LSU answered by winning the roping contest and the calf ribbon pull.
The Wildcats were victorious in the barrel roll, as freshman wide receiver Shane Porter jumped into a barrel and teammates rolled him across one end of the arena before Porter jumped out of the barrel and sprinted back across the arena to the finish line.
"I was in the barrel and got a little dizzy but it's always fun trying some new stuff," Porter said. "A little dizziness and pulling out the win was worth it. I just hoped I wasn't too dizzy and I could run straight."
LSU took control when it won the calf-branding competition in which players ran across the arena and held down a calf while a teammate branded its backside with a chalk mark. All participating players then had to run back across the arena to the finish line. LSU performed the task in 15 seconds — 4 seconds faster than the Wildcats.
A bit of controversy rocked the hay bale-stacking event. Players from both teams had to pass eight hay bales across the arena and stack the bales in a uniformed manner. Although LSU initially won the competition to clinch the Rodeo Bowl, judges seconds later disqualified the Tigers, tying the score at 3-3, and giving the Wildcats one final chance to earn the Rodeo Bowl Championship Belt.
The final event entailed a five-player relay in which players from each team costumed themselves in a miniature fabric horse and had to race across and back, then successfully un-costume and allow the next teammate in line to dress and race.
"There was some controversy on the hay bale stacking," junior long snapper Randen Plattner said. "We had them stacked exactly how they wanted them, and they had a little mishap with theirs. We got it all straightened out and tied it 3-3 and then we lost the last event with some transition issues with the horseracing. Thanks to TaxAct and the Texas Bowl for putting this on. It was a lot of fun."
Plattner appeared unfazed that the Rodeo Bowl winner has won 70% of the time in the Texas Bowl.
"Interesting stat," he said. "We had a good time here competing against LSU and I hope they had a good time competing, too. I hope that stat doesn't come true on Tuesday, but we did what we could here, and we'll do the same on Tuesday."
Klieman says Skylar Thompson is "as healthy as he's been all year"
K-State Sports Extra will write more in-depth on Skylar Thompson after we hear from K-State's sixth-year senior quarterback prior to the bowl game, but Klieman gave rave initial reviews of Thompson's health heading toward Tuesday.
"He looks really healthy," Klieman said. "I think he's as healthy as he's been all year, to be honest with you. Coming off the couple injuries that he's had, I've seen no ill-effects of anything that's gone on, he's throwing the ball crisp and running the ball well, so I'm looking forward to him having a big football game and he's excited to play."
COVID remains an ever-present concern as kickoff nears
Five bowl games have been cancelled due to COVID issues. Heck, the Holiday Bowl between UCLA and North Carolina State was called off just hours before kickoff this past Tuesday, casting a sense of uneasiness among remaining bowl participants — including K-State.
"Yeah, absolutely," Klieman said. "We're always still nervous just because some games have gotten cancelled 24 hours before. We're excited that we're here. I've talked to (LSU interim head coach) Brad (Davis) and I know they're excited to be here as well. We still have to be diligent about our preparation and about the protocols to make sure we do get to Tuesday night. Each day that passes, we feel like we're one day closer, and I'm excited for both teams to get an opportunity to play.
"We did make it down with a bulk of our roster. We're down a few guys but hopefully it's just that few handful of guys and we don't have anymore."
Klieman tells interim offensive coordinator Collin Klein to "have fun"
Former K-State quarterback and current K-State quarterbacks coach Collin Klein was elevated to interim offensive coordinator prior to preparation for the Texas Bowl with Klieman's announcement giving Klein play-calling duties for the first time. Klein, a 2012 Heisman Trophy Finalist, served in various capacities on the K-State staff in 2014 and 2015, and is in his fifth season tutoring the Wildcats' quarterbacks.
Klieman's advice to Klein?
"Have fun," Klieman said. "Collin is great, great young coach, and I'm excited for him to have this opportunity. I've spent an awful lot of time with the offense, and I love the way he's led the guys. Our guys are practicing hard. It'll be fun to watch him."
Count All-American sophomore running back Deuce Vaughn among Klein's supporters.
"He's been really good," Vaughn said. "The verbal communication that he brings as an offensive coordinator is pretty cool. He's always asking me questions about how I feel about things and how he can do better and how I feel about a route or a play call. It's been really cool to have him step into that role during this brief time. He's done a great job."
Could the offense feel different under Klein?
"Not too much," Vaughn said, "just from the mere fact that it's only been a month so you can't go and change the whole playbook, but he's implemented some things that he believes will help us win and we're behind him 100%."
LSU appears to be facing some questions heading into the Texas Bowl
LSU appears to be uncertain at quarterback, and starting running back Ty Davis-Price announced on Friday that he has opted-out of the bowl game to instead prepare for the NFL Draft, creating some offensive challenges for interim head coach Brad Davis heading into Tuesday's game.
Sophomore quarterback Max Johnson has entered the transfer portal after passing for 2,814 yards and 27 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. Myles Brennan initially entered the transfer portal and then decided to return to LSU but will not play in the bowl game. It remains unclear if freshman quarterback Garrett Nussmeier will play. LSU applied for a waiver that would allow Nussmeier, who has already played in four games, to participate in the bowl game and still retain his redshirt year of eligibility. Nussmeier has completed 29 of 57 passes for 329 yards and 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.
Only one other player has attempted a pass for LSU this season: place-kicker Avery Atkins.
If Nussmeier doesn't play, the Tigers could turn to either walk-ons Matt O'Dowd or Tavion Faulk. Or they could perhaps thrust wide receiver Jontre Kirklin, who also serves as a scout-team quarterback, into the starting spot behind center.
"We've got a group of guys who've all been preparing for this opportunity. Really, the biggest piece for us is the coaching staff is putting together a scheme for what each of those guys do well. Last time I spoke with the media, we talked about having contingencies and those things are still in play. We plan on putting our guys into position to have success."
Asked if Nussmeier was in the running to play in the game, Davis replied, "He always is."
Pressed on whether Nussmeier had received a waiver, Davis said, "You'll have to ask him that, but he'll be in the running to play, for sure."
Klieman called defensive preparation given LSU's uncertainty at quarterback "difficult."
"It's been difficult, but it's LSU and you go look at the film, and they've got really good players and they're going to have the ability to run the football, and they have an awfully good offensive line and good running backs, so it'll be a big challenge for us," Klieman said.
At running back, the Tigers will likely lean on freshman Corey Kiner, who has 65 carries for 271 yards and 2 touchdowns while appearing in 10 games. No other available LSU running back has more than 16 carries this season.
LSU star wide receiver Kayshon Boutte suffered a season-ending injury in October. Freshman tight end/wide receiver Jack Bech leads the team with 43 catches for 489 yards and 3 touchdowns.
All of LSU's starting offensive linemen are expected to play, but left tackle reportedly has been a concern.
Defensively, starting linebacker Damone Clark and defensive tackle Neil Farrell have opted out to focus on preparations for the NFL Draft. Senior linebacker Micah Baskerville leads all active players with 83 tackles, including 9 tackles for a loss and 2 sacks to go along with 1 interception.
"We've got to prepare for everything," Klieman said. "They have really talented guys at all three levels of the defense and guys that even if they haven't played a bunch will be chomping at the bit to get an opportunity to play just like we'll have a few of those guys."
Kansas State fell just short against LSU in the Rodeo Bowl as the Wildcats suffered a 4-3 defeat due to costume-dressing mishaps that slowed their time in a final horse race Saturday night at NRG Arena in Houston, Texas. Event announcers emphasized that the Rodeo Bowl winner has won 70% of the games in the Texas Bowl.
K-State head coach Chris Klieman might tuck that statistic away when the Wildcats face the Tigers at 8 p.m. Tuesday in the 2022 TaxAct Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium — as if the Wildcats need any further motivation.
"Maybe we'll play that card," Klieman said, chuckling, while referring to his team's underdog status bore from Rodeo Bowl outcome. "I'm excited. We've had a good week of practice and the guys will be ready to play Tuesday night. It was a pretty cool event. I know our guys liked to do the team activities. I know we didn't come out with a win, but they liked to compete."
K-State raced out of the gate in penning five calves in a Rodeo Bowl-record 21 seconds for a 1-0 lead. However, LSU answered by winning the roping contest and the calf ribbon pull.
The Wildcats were victorious in the barrel roll, as freshman wide receiver Shane Porter jumped into a barrel and teammates rolled him across one end of the arena before Porter jumped out of the barrel and sprinted back across the arena to the finish line.
"I was in the barrel and got a little dizzy but it's always fun trying some new stuff," Porter said. "A little dizziness and pulling out the win was worth it. I just hoped I wasn't too dizzy and I could run straight."
LSU took control when it won the calf-branding competition in which players ran across the arena and held down a calf while a teammate branded its backside with a chalk mark. All participating players then had to run back across the arena to the finish line. LSU performed the task in 15 seconds — 4 seconds faster than the Wildcats.
A bit of controversy rocked the hay bale-stacking event. Players from both teams had to pass eight hay bales across the arena and stack the bales in a uniformed manner. Although LSU initially won the competition to clinch the Rodeo Bowl, judges seconds later disqualified the Tigers, tying the score at 3-3, and giving the Wildcats one final chance to earn the Rodeo Bowl Championship Belt.
The final event entailed a five-player relay in which players from each team costumed themselves in a miniature fabric horse and had to race across and back, then successfully un-costume and allow the next teammate in line to dress and race.
"There was some controversy on the hay bale stacking," junior long snapper Randen Plattner said. "We had them stacked exactly how they wanted them, and they had a little mishap with theirs. We got it all straightened out and tied it 3-3 and then we lost the last event with some transition issues with the horseracing. Thanks to TaxAct and the Texas Bowl for putting this on. It was a lot of fun."
Plattner appeared unfazed that the Rodeo Bowl winner has won 70% of the time in the Texas Bowl.
"Interesting stat," he said. "We had a good time here competing against LSU and I hope they had a good time competing, too. I hope that stat doesn't come true on Tuesday, but we did what we could here, and we'll do the same on Tuesday."
Klieman says Skylar Thompson is "as healthy as he's been all year"
K-State Sports Extra will write more in-depth on Skylar Thompson after we hear from K-State's sixth-year senior quarterback prior to the bowl game, but Klieman gave rave initial reviews of Thompson's health heading toward Tuesday.
"He looks really healthy," Klieman said. "I think he's as healthy as he's been all year, to be honest with you. Coming off the couple injuries that he's had, I've seen no ill-effects of anything that's gone on, he's throwing the ball crisp and running the ball well, so I'm looking forward to him having a big football game and he's excited to play."
COVID remains an ever-present concern as kickoff nears
Five bowl games have been cancelled due to COVID issues. Heck, the Holiday Bowl between UCLA and North Carolina State was called off just hours before kickoff this past Tuesday, casting a sense of uneasiness among remaining bowl participants — including K-State.
"Yeah, absolutely," Klieman said. "We're always still nervous just because some games have gotten cancelled 24 hours before. We're excited that we're here. I've talked to (LSU interim head coach) Brad (Davis) and I know they're excited to be here as well. We still have to be diligent about our preparation and about the protocols to make sure we do get to Tuesday night. Each day that passes, we feel like we're one day closer, and I'm excited for both teams to get an opportunity to play.
"We did make it down with a bulk of our roster. We're down a few guys but hopefully it's just that few handful of guys and we don't have anymore."
Klieman tells interim offensive coordinator Collin Klein to "have fun"
Former K-State quarterback and current K-State quarterbacks coach Collin Klein was elevated to interim offensive coordinator prior to preparation for the Texas Bowl with Klieman's announcement giving Klein play-calling duties for the first time. Klein, a 2012 Heisman Trophy Finalist, served in various capacities on the K-State staff in 2014 and 2015, and is in his fifth season tutoring the Wildcats' quarterbacks.
Klieman's advice to Klein?
"Have fun," Klieman said. "Collin is great, great young coach, and I'm excited for him to have this opportunity. I've spent an awful lot of time with the offense, and I love the way he's led the guys. Our guys are practicing hard. It'll be fun to watch him."
Count All-American sophomore running back Deuce Vaughn among Klein's supporters.
"He's been really good," Vaughn said. "The verbal communication that he brings as an offensive coordinator is pretty cool. He's always asking me questions about how I feel about things and how he can do better and how I feel about a route or a play call. It's been really cool to have him step into that role during this brief time. He's done a great job."
Could the offense feel different under Klein?
"Not too much," Vaughn said, "just from the mere fact that it's only been a month so you can't go and change the whole playbook, but he's implemented some things that he believes will help us win and we're behind him 100%."
LSU appears to be facing some questions heading into the Texas Bowl
LSU appears to be uncertain at quarterback, and starting running back Ty Davis-Price announced on Friday that he has opted-out of the bowl game to instead prepare for the NFL Draft, creating some offensive challenges for interim head coach Brad Davis heading into Tuesday's game.
Sophomore quarterback Max Johnson has entered the transfer portal after passing for 2,814 yards and 27 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. Myles Brennan initially entered the transfer portal and then decided to return to LSU but will not play in the bowl game. It remains unclear if freshman quarterback Garrett Nussmeier will play. LSU applied for a waiver that would allow Nussmeier, who has already played in four games, to participate in the bowl game and still retain his redshirt year of eligibility. Nussmeier has completed 29 of 57 passes for 329 yards and 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.
Only one other player has attempted a pass for LSU this season: place-kicker Avery Atkins.
If Nussmeier doesn't play, the Tigers could turn to either walk-ons Matt O'Dowd or Tavion Faulk. Or they could perhaps thrust wide receiver Jontre Kirklin, who also serves as a scout-team quarterback, into the starting spot behind center.
"We've got a group of guys who've all been preparing for this opportunity. Really, the biggest piece for us is the coaching staff is putting together a scheme for what each of those guys do well. Last time I spoke with the media, we talked about having contingencies and those things are still in play. We plan on putting our guys into position to have success."
Asked if Nussmeier was in the running to play in the game, Davis replied, "He always is."
Pressed on whether Nussmeier had received a waiver, Davis said, "You'll have to ask him that, but he'll be in the running to play, for sure."
Klieman called defensive preparation given LSU's uncertainty at quarterback "difficult."
"It's been difficult, but it's LSU and you go look at the film, and they've got really good players and they're going to have the ability to run the football, and they have an awfully good offensive line and good running backs, so it'll be a big challenge for us," Klieman said.
At running back, the Tigers will likely lean on freshman Corey Kiner, who has 65 carries for 271 yards and 2 touchdowns while appearing in 10 games. No other available LSU running back has more than 16 carries this season.
LSU star wide receiver Kayshon Boutte suffered a season-ending injury in October. Freshman tight end/wide receiver Jack Bech leads the team with 43 catches for 489 yards and 3 touchdowns.
All of LSU's starting offensive linemen are expected to play, but left tackle reportedly has been a concern.
Defensively, starting linebacker Damone Clark and defensive tackle Neil Farrell have opted out to focus on preparations for the NFL Draft. Senior linebacker Micah Baskerville leads all active players with 83 tackles, including 9 tackles for a loss and 2 sacks to go along with 1 interception.
"We've got to prepare for everything," Klieman said. "They have really talented guys at all three levels of the defense and guys that even if they haven't played a bunch will be chomping at the bit to get an opportunity to play just like we'll have a few of those guys."
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