K-State Earns Big 12 Defensive Line of the Week Honors
Sep 21, 2026 | Football
MANHATTAN, Kan. – After recording 12 tackles for loss and six sacks in Kansas State's 31-20 victory over Tulane, the Wildcats picked up Big 12 Defensive Line of the Week honors, the conference office announced Monday.
K-State's 12 tackles for loss against the Green Wave were its most since posting 13 at Baylor in 2020, while the Wildcats' six sacks were their most since also recording six at Colorado in 2024.
Five different Wildcats logged at least a half sack against Tulane, led by 2.0 sacks from Jayden Bryant and 1.5 sacks by Darien Whitaker Jr. Fellow defensive end Wendell Gregory posted 3.0 tackles for loss for a second-straight week, becoming the first Wildcat with at least 3.0 TFLs in consecutive games since Chris Johnson had 7.0 against Kansas and 3.0 against Oklahoma in 2000.
K-State limited Tulane to 260 total yards, including just 95 rushing yards. The Wildcats finished non-conference play allowing only 182.7 yards per game – their fourth-best mark in the Big 12 era – and 10.0 points per game – their eighth-best mark in the Big 12 era.
The Wildcats enter their Big 12 opener with 30 tackles for loss this season to rank third nationally and first in the Big 12, leading the conference by seven TFLs. K-State's 11 sacks this year are tied for sixth in the country and are also a Big 12 best.
Kansas State opens conference play on Saturday against Cincinnati. The game, which kicks off at 6 p.m. (CT) inside Nippert Stadium, will air on ESPN2.
K-State's 12 tackles for loss against the Green Wave were its most since posting 13 at Baylor in 2020, while the Wildcats' six sacks were their most since also recording six at Colorado in 2024.
Five different Wildcats logged at least a half sack against Tulane, led by 2.0 sacks from Jayden Bryant and 1.5 sacks by Darien Whitaker Jr. Fellow defensive end Wendell Gregory posted 3.0 tackles for loss for a second-straight week, becoming the first Wildcat with at least 3.0 TFLs in consecutive games since Chris Johnson had 7.0 against Kansas and 3.0 against Oklahoma in 2000.
K-State limited Tulane to 260 total yards, including just 95 rushing yards. The Wildcats finished non-conference play allowing only 182.7 yards per game – their fourth-best mark in the Big 12 era – and 10.0 points per game – their eighth-best mark in the Big 12 era.
The Wildcats enter their Big 12 opener with 30 tackles for loss this season to rank third nationally and first in the Big 12, leading the conference by seven TFLs. K-State's 11 sacks this year are tied for sixth in the country and are also a Big 12 best.
Kansas State opens conference play on Saturday against Cincinnati. The game, which kicks off at 6 p.m. (CT) inside Nippert Stadium, will air on ESPN2.
– k-statesports.com –
How to follow the Cats: For complete information on K-State Football, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.
How to follow the Cats: For complete information on K-State Football, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.
Players Mentioned
Monday, September 21
Thursday, September 17
Monday, September 14
Monday, September 14
