Embracing Constant Growth

By: D. Scott Fritchen

Kansas State enters the Big 12 Conference season unscathed and rides ample momentum as the Wildcats embark upon their first road test of the Collin Klein era at unbeaten Cincinnati on Saturday night at Nippert Stadium.

K-State, 3-0, joins Ohio State, Indiana and Utah as the only FBS teams to average more than 45.0 points and allow 10.0 points per game or fewer after victories over Nicholls (71-3), Washington State (34-7) and Tulane (31-20), which kind of feels like home to Klein, the 2012 Heisman Trophy finalist, who was a part of K-State teams that typically began strong and progressed throughout the season.

"We're learning more every day and every week," Klein said at his weekly news conference on Monday. "You're never a finished product. We're constantly growing, and that's something we put a lot of emphasis on as a staff and that our players are embracing. We have new opportunities and new challenges that we have to find a way to overcome together this week, and that's going to shape who we become.

"The more we find out, the more that process is very contagious and builds true confidence, true chemistry and relationships. You only get that through real experiences — positive and negative. The games do reveal that and help give us more opportunities to grow. We learn more every week and every time we have a chance to go through it together. I've been very, very pleased with what we've found out as we go through this process and continue to build."

Tulane served as an ideal stepping-stone for K-State, which actually trailed for the first time in the first quarter before senior quarterback Avery Johnson put together one of the great overall performances in history by a K-State quarterback. Johnson became the first K-State player to throw for at least 200 yards and rush for at least 150 yards in a single game, doing so on the same day that he also became the first player at K-State to throw for 6,000 yards and rush for 1,500 yards in a career.

It wasn't until a Jay Harris one-yard touchdown run with 6 minutes, 45 seconds left in the third quarter that K-State took its first two-touchdown lead with a 24-10 advantage over the Green Wave, who outscored the Wildcats 10-7 the rest of the way at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.

"Every good team you play, regardless the conference or how talented people think they are, it is truly about the competitive nature and that battle of will between those two teams, and that was a really, really good football team," Klein said. "Until you get into those battles, it's not going to bring out what you really need and where you're really at to get better. It's a great thing."

K-State ranks 25^th in total offense (491.3 yards) and ninth in rushing offense (269.3) while posting the fourth most rushes of 10-plus yards (27) in the country.

After transfer running back Rodney Fields Jr. put together a pair of 100-yard rushing performances and junior Joe Jackson has been steady both in rushing and receiving, Johnson is leading the charge on the ground for the Wildcats.

Johnson had 12 carries for 152 yards and two touchdowns against Tulane, giving him 24 carries for 253 yards and three touchdowns to lead the team after three games. Johnson is averaging a whopping 10.4 yards per rushing attempt, which ranks seventh overall in the FBS and best by a quarterback.

"All rush yards are created equal," Klein said. "They aren't any different regardless who's carrying it. It's the family of scheme — what happened on that scheme versus that front or pressure and what are the fundamental things we need to clean up, and do we need to get ourselves out of that situation or help keep ourselves out of that situation.

"The beauty of what we're able to do and what Avery allows us to be able to do is keep people honest so if they are taking other things away or doing certain things, then they can't defend the whole field. Being able to hold them accountable to their edges was big in the ball game."

K-State's defense under Jordan Peterson has made a statement through three games as it has only allowed 182.7 total yards per game, which ranks No. 2 in the FBS. K-State ranks No. 1 in allowing just 86.7 passing yards, No. 3 with 30 tackles for loss, No. 6 with 11 quarterback sacks, and No. 11 in allowing 10.0 points per contest.

After recording 12 tackles for loss and six sacks against Tulane, K-State earned Big 12 Defensive Line of the Week honors by the league office on Monday. The contributions by the defensive line have helped the Wildcats to possess the best defense in the FBS in limiting passing yards by opponents.

"The game of football is won and lost up front," Klein said. "Our secondary is doing a great job. Teams are afraid to drop back and pass because of our ability to rush the passer and get to the quarterback. Through the first three weeks, there's been a conscious decision on our opponents' part to adjust to how many times they drop back and how many times they put the ball into the air. It's a credit to everybody. It's part of the game of them scheming and doing what they think is in their best interest to win.

"I'm excited as we move through this season as they continue to grow and develop when we get tested."

K-State picked up one individual honor on Monday as well, as senior punter Simon McClannan was named to the Ray's 8 list as one of the best eight punters of the week, as announced by a Ray Guy Award. McClannan tallied a career-high 53.3-yard average on three punters — including two that landed inside the 20-yard line — against Tulane. Due to McClannan's execution, the Green Wave's average starting field position after his punts was the 13-yard line.

McClannan's 53.3-yard average is fifth best by a punter in the FBS this season with a minimum of three attempts.

"His work ethic has been tremendous, and his approach has been fantastic," Klein said. "He's been a great teammate and builds a lot of camaraderie through the specialist group and the entire football team.

"He's striking the heck out of the ball."

Klein knows special teams will likely be a factor at Cincinnati.

"Being on the road and at night," Klein said, "there's going to be some chances for some difference-making plays in special teams that we have to be on the right side of."

Cincinnati brings a 40-16 record to what is referred to as "Nippert at Night" games played under the lights.

The Bearcats come off their largest second-half comeback victory since 1996 as they stormed back from a 28-7 third-quarter deficit for a 35-31 win over Miami (Ohio) last Saturday.

K-State and Cincinnati are among the few FBS teams to both rank in the top 25 in both total offense and scoring offense so far this season.

"I'm excited for the challenge," Klein said. "Our guys are looking forward to kicking off conference play."

Schedule

Players Mentioned

Rodney Fields Jr.

Jay Harris

Joe Jackson

Avery Johnson

Simon McClannan

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