Battle-Tested Wildcats Enter Bye Week on High Note
Oct 10, 2022 | Football, Sports Extra
By: D. Scott Fritchen
Kansas State is the No. 17 team in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll. Let that sink in a moment. The Wildcats, 5-1, are atop the Big 12 Conference standings today as the only team with a perfect 3-0 record, tossing aside the doomsday predictions that arrived after the Tulane loss, and powering into a much-needed bye week carrying momentum like a lunch pail, and rolling up the old sleeves for an exciting second half of the season.
Today, the doubt-stricken faces of some a few weeks ago emit that victorious glow at the water cooler, as folks discuss the craziness of the Big 12 this season — and which teams are separating themselves, and which ones are falling flat on their face.
So far, seven Big 12 games have been decided by single digits, and none closer than the Wildcats' 10-9 win at Iowa State on Saturday in Ames, Iowa — a gritty series matchup that has featured 11 single-digit margins in the last 15 meetings, and that typically tests the limits of toughness, discipline and execution.
We have discovered at the midway point of this season that K-State is tough, disciplined and executes. Which is why K-State outlasted then-No. 6 Oklahoma (41-34) in Norman, Oklahoma, and why the Wildcats held on against Texas Tech (37-28), and why when, with their backs against the wall in front of more than 60,000 at Jack Trice Stadium, the Wildcats out-scraped the Cyclones in come-from-behind fashion — a glaring characteristic of good teams.
"What a win," K-State head coach Chris Klieman told reporters shortly after K-State scored the game's lone touchdown and held Iowa State to three field goals. "A really good football team. This is what it's like in Big 12 play. It's going to come down to fourth-quarter games and making plays in the fourth quarter.
"Our guys did that."
Once chided for a non-conference home loss, the Wildcats today are celebrated, and have two weeks to recover before traveling to face No. 13 TCU, 5-0 and 2-0, on October 22 in Fort Worth, Texas.
"(Our bounce back) really speaks to the culture of this team and program, the leadership of Coach Klieman and some of the older guys on the squad," quarterback Adrian Martinez told reporters. "We were determined not to let (a non-conference loss) run our season.
"All our goals are still on the horizon. Big 12 is what it's about. It's a one-week season every week and we found a way to get it done. That's all that really matters to us."
Safety Josh Hayes believes the rumors of the Wildcats' demise were greatly exaggerated.
"I'm sorry to say it," he said, "but anybody expecting us to fold over is mistaken."
Today, K-State possesses one of the best rushing offenses (244.5) in school history and a defense that is on pace to allow its fewest points (16.7) since 2003. Today, K-State has one of the best special teams units in America. Today, K-State gets much-needed and well-deserved rest and recovery while reflecting upon its achievements and how much more better the Wildcats can still become down the stretch of the league season.
"It was a battle (at Iowa State)," wide receiver Phillip Brooks said. "It was a war out there. Both teams were struggling to score, and the defense showed up well. It just shows we can get it out the mud if we have to.
"We have a lot of confidence, especially after this game, and we can't wait to continue the season."
Today, the water at the water cooler tastes a little cooler, as fellow co-workers — avid fans of some other Big 12 teams — look at the carpet. Today, Powercat flags flap in the breeze a little crisper. Today, purple is atop the Big 12 standings.
Tomorrow, the Wildcats get back to work.
Kansas State is the No. 17 team in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll. Let that sink in a moment. The Wildcats, 5-1, are atop the Big 12 Conference standings today as the only team with a perfect 3-0 record, tossing aside the doomsday predictions that arrived after the Tulane loss, and powering into a much-needed bye week carrying momentum like a lunch pail, and rolling up the old sleeves for an exciting second half of the season.
Today, the doubt-stricken faces of some a few weeks ago emit that victorious glow at the water cooler, as folks discuss the craziness of the Big 12 this season — and which teams are separating themselves, and which ones are falling flat on their face.
So far, seven Big 12 games have been decided by single digits, and none closer than the Wildcats' 10-9 win at Iowa State on Saturday in Ames, Iowa — a gritty series matchup that has featured 11 single-digit margins in the last 15 meetings, and that typically tests the limits of toughness, discipline and execution.
We have discovered at the midway point of this season that K-State is tough, disciplined and executes. Which is why K-State outlasted then-No. 6 Oklahoma (41-34) in Norman, Oklahoma, and why the Wildcats held on against Texas Tech (37-28), and why when, with their backs against the wall in front of more than 60,000 at Jack Trice Stadium, the Wildcats out-scraped the Cyclones in come-from-behind fashion — a glaring characteristic of good teams.
"What a win," K-State head coach Chris Klieman told reporters shortly after K-State scored the game's lone touchdown and held Iowa State to three field goals. "A really good football team. This is what it's like in Big 12 play. It's going to come down to fourth-quarter games and making plays in the fourth quarter.
"Our guys did that."
Once chided for a non-conference home loss, the Wildcats today are celebrated, and have two weeks to recover before traveling to face No. 13 TCU, 5-0 and 2-0, on October 22 in Fort Worth, Texas.
"(Our bounce back) really speaks to the culture of this team and program, the leadership of Coach Klieman and some of the older guys on the squad," quarterback Adrian Martinez told reporters. "We were determined not to let (a non-conference loss) run our season.
"All our goals are still on the horizon. Big 12 is what it's about. It's a one-week season every week and we found a way to get it done. That's all that really matters to us."
Safety Josh Hayes believes the rumors of the Wildcats' demise were greatly exaggerated.
"I'm sorry to say it," he said, "but anybody expecting us to fold over is mistaken."
Today, K-State possesses one of the best rushing offenses (244.5) in school history and a defense that is on pace to allow its fewest points (16.7) since 2003. Today, K-State has one of the best special teams units in America. Today, K-State gets much-needed and well-deserved rest and recovery while reflecting upon its achievements and how much more better the Wildcats can still become down the stretch of the league season.
"It was a battle (at Iowa State)," wide receiver Phillip Brooks said. "It was a war out there. Both teams were struggling to score, and the defense showed up well. It just shows we can get it out the mud if we have to.
"We have a lot of confidence, especially after this game, and we can't wait to continue the season."
Today, the water at the water cooler tastes a little cooler, as fellow co-workers — avid fans of some other Big 12 teams — look at the carpet. Today, Powercat flags flap in the breeze a little crisper. Today, purple is atop the Big 12 standings.
Tomorrow, the Wildcats get back to work.
Players Mentioned
Wednesday, June 03
Tuesday, June 02
Monday, June 01
Thursday, May 28
