Thirty Statistics to Know Prior to the Pop-Tarts Bowl
Dec 12, 2023 | Football, Sports Extra
By: D. Scott Fritchen
No. 25 Kansas State has put up some impressive numbers during the 2023 season.
From being one of just 11 Power 5 teams to rank top-30 nationally in scoring offense and scoring defense, to posting a school record for total touchdown passes, to holding six of nine Big 12 Conference opponents under their scoring average at the time the teams met, the Wildcats fought hard while finishing the regular season with an 8-4 record, including a 6-3 mark in the Big 12.
Here's a look at 30 statistics to know as the Wildcats prepare to face No. 18 NC State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl on December 28 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida:
1 — Phillip Brooks finished his 2023 season as the only active player in the FBS with 1,000 receiving yards, 100 rushing yards, 800 kickoff-return yards and 700 punt-return yards in a career, while he joined TCU's KaVontae Turpin as the only two players in Big 12 history to reach those marks.
2 — Times Cooper Beebe was selected Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year, becoming just the fifth player in conference history to achieve the feat as a two-time honoree for an award that began in 2006. The other two-time honorees were Oklahoma's Creed Humphrey (2019 and 2020) and Orlando Brown (2016 and 2017), along with Baylor's Spencer Drango (2014 and 2015) and Cyril Richardson (2012 and 2013).
5 — Touchdown rushes by Avery Johnson at Texas Tech, tying the single-game record achieved by Jonathan Beasley in 2000 and Collin Klein in 2011. It was the most rushing touchdowns by a freshman in school history. Johnson's five rushing touchdowns against the Red Raiders tied Oklahoma State's Ollie Gordon and Troy's Kimani Vidal for the most rushing touchdowns in a single game this season.
5.25 — Average margin of defeat by K-State in 2023 as the Wildcats suffered losses by 3, 8, 3 and 7 points. It was the closest average margin of defeat by any Power 5 team with three or four losses.
5.51 — Rushing yards per carry by DJ Giddens, which ranks eighth in single-season history at K-State.
6 — K-State held six of nine Big 12 foes under their season scoring average at the time the teams met in 2023. Under head coach Chris Klieman, the Wildcats have held 35 of 45 Big 12 opponents under their season scoring average at the time they face the Wildcats.
11 — K-State is one of 11 Power 5 teams to rank top-30 nationally in both scoring offense and scoring defense this season. The Wildcats rank 10th in scoring offense (37.8 points) and 29th in scoring defense (21.2).
14 — Consecutive sellouts dating to the start of the 2022 season, marking the first time K-State has sold out every game in consecutive seasons since 2015 and 2016.
15 — Consecutive wins over Kansas. When K-State outlasted Kansas, 31-27, on November 18, it extended the Wildcats' series-record in Sunflower Showdown history — a streak that began with a 17-10 win over Kansas on November 7, 2009. The streak includes eight victories in Lawrence, Kansas.
21.2 — Average points allowed per game this season. K-State allowed 21.0 points per game in 2021 and 21.9 points in 2022. This is the first time K-State has allowed less than 22.0 points per game in three-straight seasons since going 13-straight years from 1991 to 2003.
24 — Touchdown passes by Will Howard in 2023, which tied the school record shared by Ell Roberson in 2003.
28 — Passing touchdowns by K-State, the most in school history. Howard threw 24 touchdowns, Avery Johnson threw three, and running back Treshaun Ward threw one.
30 — Total selections on the 2023 Coaches' All-Big 12 teams, which ranked second in the conference behind Texas (34) and ahead of Texas Tech (28), Oklahoma (27) and Oklahoma State (26). The Wildcats had six players garner first- or second-team honors, tied for second in the league with Oklahoma and behind Texas (11).
37.8 — Scoring average by K-State in the regular season, which ranks 10th in the FBS and second in the Big 12 behind Oklahoma (43.2). It also ranks sixth in school history behind 1998 (48.0), 2002 (44.8), 2000 (39.5), 1999 (39.4) and 2012 (38.8).
41.94 — K-State has allowed opponents to score touchdowns just 41.94% (13-of-31) of their trips inside the red zone, a mark that ranks fifth in the FBS. The Wildcats made the biggest jump in the FBS as they ranked 108th in the department in 2022.
45 — Career touchdown passes by Will Howard, setting the all-time record for touchdown passes by a K-State quarterback. Howard topped Josh Freeman, who had 44 touchdown passes from 2006-08. Howard's record-setting scoring toss came when he found Christian Moore from two yards out in the second quarter against Baylor on November 11.
48 — Red-zone touchdowns, which is tied with Georgia for second in the FBS and only behind Oregon (51). The Wildcats had a season-high five red-zone touchdowns against Troy, UCF, Houston and Baylor.
74.8 — Winning percentage by Chris Klieman (110-37), which ranks fourth among current FBS coaches that have led programs for at least 10 seasons.
86 — Third-down conversions, which is tied with Georgia for third most in the FBS this season. The Wildcats rank eighth overall in third-down conversion percentage at 49.3% (86-of-174). The Wildcats converted 10 third downs against Troy, TCU and Houston, and had 11 against Iowa State.
91 — Yards on senior Keenan Garber's blocked extra-point return against Kansas, the longest defensive extra-point return in school history. It was one yard longer than Terence Newman's 90-yard defensive extra-point return against USC in 2002.
102 — Total plays from scrimmage by K-State against Iowa State, the most plays run by a K-State team in a single game. The previous record was 100 plays against Kansas in 1970.
125 — Games since K-State allowed a kickoff return for a touchdown, dating to the 2013 season. Louisiana's Darryl Surgent returned a kickoff 100 yards for a score on September 7, 2013.
131 — Non-offensive touchdowns by K-State since 1999, six more than any other team in the FBS over that span. Alabama has 125 non-offensive touchdowns since 1999, Virginia Tech has 118 and Texas has 114. K-State recorded two non-offensive touchdowns against Baylor when linebacker Desmond Purnell returned a fumble 15 yards for a score and cornerback Keenan Garber returned an interception 45 yards into the end zone.
139 — Big 12 victories since the inception of the conference in 1996, which ranks third behind Oklahoma (176) and Texas (157). K-State will own the most Big 12 victories among current Big 12 members entering the 2024 season. Oklahoma State has 132 league wins.
454 — Points scored by K-State, which ranks as the seventh most in school history. K-State scored a school-record 582 points in 2002 followed by 1998 (576), 2003 (549), 2000 (514), 2012 (505) and 2014 (465).
676 — Receiving yards by Ben Sinnott, most in single-season history by a K-State tight end. Sinnott also has 10 career receiving touchdowns, which is tied for the most in school history among tight ends.
1,075 — Rushing yards by DJ Giddens, which ranks third in school history among sophomores, trailing Darren Sproles (1,463) and Deuce Vaughn (1,404). He needs 66 yards in the Pop-Tarts Bowl to tie for 10th overall in school history.
2011 — Last time that K-State played a game in the state of Florida — a 28-24 win at Miami.
5,353 — Total offensive yards this season, which is sixth most in school history. K-State amassed 6,615 total yards in 2003 followed by 2022 (5,863), 1998 (5,741), 2002 (5,499) and 2014 (5,481).
No. 25 Kansas State has put up some impressive numbers during the 2023 season.
From being one of just 11 Power 5 teams to rank top-30 nationally in scoring offense and scoring defense, to posting a school record for total touchdown passes, to holding six of nine Big 12 Conference opponents under their scoring average at the time the teams met, the Wildcats fought hard while finishing the regular season with an 8-4 record, including a 6-3 mark in the Big 12.
Here's a look at 30 statistics to know as the Wildcats prepare to face No. 18 NC State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl on December 28 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida:
1 — Phillip Brooks finished his 2023 season as the only active player in the FBS with 1,000 receiving yards, 100 rushing yards, 800 kickoff-return yards and 700 punt-return yards in a career, while he joined TCU's KaVontae Turpin as the only two players in Big 12 history to reach those marks.
2 — Times Cooper Beebe was selected Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year, becoming just the fifth player in conference history to achieve the feat as a two-time honoree for an award that began in 2006. The other two-time honorees were Oklahoma's Creed Humphrey (2019 and 2020) and Orlando Brown (2016 and 2017), along with Baylor's Spencer Drango (2014 and 2015) and Cyril Richardson (2012 and 2013).
5 — Touchdown rushes by Avery Johnson at Texas Tech, tying the single-game record achieved by Jonathan Beasley in 2000 and Collin Klein in 2011. It was the most rushing touchdowns by a freshman in school history. Johnson's five rushing touchdowns against the Red Raiders tied Oklahoma State's Ollie Gordon and Troy's Kimani Vidal for the most rushing touchdowns in a single game this season.
5.25 — Average margin of defeat by K-State in 2023 as the Wildcats suffered losses by 3, 8, 3 and 7 points. It was the closest average margin of defeat by any Power 5 team with three or four losses.
5.51 — Rushing yards per carry by DJ Giddens, which ranks eighth in single-season history at K-State.
6 — K-State held six of nine Big 12 foes under their season scoring average at the time the teams met in 2023. Under head coach Chris Klieman, the Wildcats have held 35 of 45 Big 12 opponents under their season scoring average at the time they face the Wildcats.
11 — K-State is one of 11 Power 5 teams to rank top-30 nationally in both scoring offense and scoring defense this season. The Wildcats rank 10th in scoring offense (37.8 points) and 29th in scoring defense (21.2).
14 — Consecutive sellouts dating to the start of the 2022 season, marking the first time K-State has sold out every game in consecutive seasons since 2015 and 2016.
15 — Consecutive wins over Kansas. When K-State outlasted Kansas, 31-27, on November 18, it extended the Wildcats' series-record in Sunflower Showdown history — a streak that began with a 17-10 win over Kansas on November 7, 2009. The streak includes eight victories in Lawrence, Kansas.
21.2 — Average points allowed per game this season. K-State allowed 21.0 points per game in 2021 and 21.9 points in 2022. This is the first time K-State has allowed less than 22.0 points per game in three-straight seasons since going 13-straight years from 1991 to 2003.
24 — Touchdown passes by Will Howard in 2023, which tied the school record shared by Ell Roberson in 2003.
28 — Passing touchdowns by K-State, the most in school history. Howard threw 24 touchdowns, Avery Johnson threw three, and running back Treshaun Ward threw one.
30 — Total selections on the 2023 Coaches' All-Big 12 teams, which ranked second in the conference behind Texas (34) and ahead of Texas Tech (28), Oklahoma (27) and Oklahoma State (26). The Wildcats had six players garner first- or second-team honors, tied for second in the league with Oklahoma and behind Texas (11).
37.8 — Scoring average by K-State in the regular season, which ranks 10th in the FBS and second in the Big 12 behind Oklahoma (43.2). It also ranks sixth in school history behind 1998 (48.0), 2002 (44.8), 2000 (39.5), 1999 (39.4) and 2012 (38.8).
41.94 — K-State has allowed opponents to score touchdowns just 41.94% (13-of-31) of their trips inside the red zone, a mark that ranks fifth in the FBS. The Wildcats made the biggest jump in the FBS as they ranked 108th in the department in 2022.
45 — Career touchdown passes by Will Howard, setting the all-time record for touchdown passes by a K-State quarterback. Howard topped Josh Freeman, who had 44 touchdown passes from 2006-08. Howard's record-setting scoring toss came when he found Christian Moore from two yards out in the second quarter against Baylor on November 11.
48 — Red-zone touchdowns, which is tied with Georgia for second in the FBS and only behind Oregon (51). The Wildcats had a season-high five red-zone touchdowns against Troy, UCF, Houston and Baylor.
74.8 — Winning percentage by Chris Klieman (110-37), which ranks fourth among current FBS coaches that have led programs for at least 10 seasons.
86 — Third-down conversions, which is tied with Georgia for third most in the FBS this season. The Wildcats rank eighth overall in third-down conversion percentage at 49.3% (86-of-174). The Wildcats converted 10 third downs against Troy, TCU and Houston, and had 11 against Iowa State.
91 — Yards on senior Keenan Garber's blocked extra-point return against Kansas, the longest defensive extra-point return in school history. It was one yard longer than Terence Newman's 90-yard defensive extra-point return against USC in 2002.
102 — Total plays from scrimmage by K-State against Iowa State, the most plays run by a K-State team in a single game. The previous record was 100 plays against Kansas in 1970.
125 — Games since K-State allowed a kickoff return for a touchdown, dating to the 2013 season. Louisiana's Darryl Surgent returned a kickoff 100 yards for a score on September 7, 2013.
131 — Non-offensive touchdowns by K-State since 1999, six more than any other team in the FBS over that span. Alabama has 125 non-offensive touchdowns since 1999, Virginia Tech has 118 and Texas has 114. K-State recorded two non-offensive touchdowns against Baylor when linebacker Desmond Purnell returned a fumble 15 yards for a score and cornerback Keenan Garber returned an interception 45 yards into the end zone.
139 — Big 12 victories since the inception of the conference in 1996, which ranks third behind Oklahoma (176) and Texas (157). K-State will own the most Big 12 victories among current Big 12 members entering the 2024 season. Oklahoma State has 132 league wins.
454 — Points scored by K-State, which ranks as the seventh most in school history. K-State scored a school-record 582 points in 2002 followed by 1998 (576), 2003 (549), 2000 (514), 2012 (505) and 2014 (465).
676 — Receiving yards by Ben Sinnott, most in single-season history by a K-State tight end. Sinnott also has 10 career receiving touchdowns, which is tied for the most in school history among tight ends.
1,075 — Rushing yards by DJ Giddens, which ranks third in school history among sophomores, trailing Darren Sproles (1,463) and Deuce Vaughn (1,404). He needs 66 yards in the Pop-Tarts Bowl to tie for 10th overall in school history.
2011 — Last time that K-State played a game in the state of Florida — a 28-24 win at Miami.
5,353 — Total offensive yards this season, which is sixth most in school history. K-State amassed 6,615 total yards in 2003 followed by 2022 (5,863), 1998 (5,741), 2002 (5,499) and 2014 (5,481).
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