From The Couch – Eight Straight Big 12 Losses Is Cause For Concern
K-State lost 33-20 to Iowa State last night in a game that was close in the first half but got away from the Wildcats early in the second half. As I watched the game unfold, I got increasingly frustrated and grumpy. There are a couple of reasons that I wait until the next day to write my column about the game. A lot of times my instant reaction is different than what my reaction is when I “sleep on it” and rewatch the game the next morning. That’s definitely the case with this game.
By the time the Texas Tech game comes around on Saturday, it will be 364 days, almost a full calendar year, since K-State has won a conference game. And that was a win against Kansas. Eight conference losses in a row. That’s not good, but as I look back on my preseason prediction for the 2021 Wildcats, I had them 3-3 at this point in the season and that’s exactly where they sit. The season is not lost and there is still an opportunity to finish strong and make a bowl game, but here’s a lot the Cats need to be better at to make that happen. Let’s take a look at some quotes of note from yesterday’s game…
“I believe our best football’s in front of us this year.”…Chris Klieman, Tuesday, October 12th, 2021
JM: This was the “money quote” from Klieman’s press conference last Tuesday. As of today, their best football is still behind them.
“We didn’t make enough plays, bottom line, offensively and defensively to get the win. Had our chances early on,
even though we gave up the big play to start the game. We got it back to 10-7 on a big pass play with Philip (Brooks), and then had a chance. We got a shot in the endzone and didn’t get that. Then they review the one play. If not, we have a good chance to go 14-10 and then we don’t get any points out of that”…Chris Klieman, post-game, October 16
JM: A couple of things here. The officials reviewed “the one play” because it wasn’t a catch (as it was initially ruled on the field) and after they looked at the replay they reversed the call. So they got the call right. You can’t say you’d be up 14-10 if they didn’t review it! It was an incomplete pass because Brooks trapped the ball. Secondly, I understand the momentum and flow of the game, but K-State was behind 27-7 and 30-13 at certain points in this game. To talk about a couple of plays in the first half having an impact on the end result of the game doesn’t hold much water with me.
“I have no idea. We just missed a fit and two guys ran into each other and it popped a big play. That isn’t a slow start, it’s a mental error. We can’t make the critical errors and give a kid (Breece Hall) of that ability the space to make a big run.” …Chris Klieman, post-game, October 16
JM: The reporter asked Klieman about why the team got off to a slow start in the game. Klieman thought he was referring to the first play of the game, but I think the reporter was asking why the Wildcats were down 10-0 in the first quarter. K-State’s first drive of the game was a three-and-out, a Courtney Messingham staple, and the second drive was two plays and an interception. You can’t do that against good teams.
“Everybody on our team needs to look themselves in the mirror and ask themselves, what more can they give, what more can they do? Even myself, everybody on the team.”…Skylar Thompson, post-game, October 16
JM: I’m not sure K-State lost because of a lack of effort. Iowa State is just better.
“10:02 – Length of an Iowa State touchdown drive in the third quarter… It was the longest drive surrendered by the Wildcats in terms of time since at least 1999”…www.kstatesports.com
JM: This was excruciating to watch. K-State used to do that to other teams and now it’s being done to the Wildcats.
“Sophomore running back Deuce Vaughn rushed 18 times for 87 (yards), while he caught three passes for 28 yards… He now has 48 career receptions, which ranks ninth in school history among running backs or fullbacks.”…www.kstatesports.com
JM: K-State ran the ball pretty well against Iowa State. Deuce averaged 4.8 yards per carry and Joe Ervin added eight carries for 60 yards.
“Kansas State at Texas Tech, 11 a.m. CT on FS1.”…Big 12 Sports
JM: Texas Tech will host K-State next Saturday after their 41-14 beatdown of Kansas yesterday. This one won’t be easy.
“Tailgate party celebrates the life of a former Hutchinson HS teacher.”…WIBW, October 16, 2021
JM: Becky Goff with WIBW was nice enough to stop by our tailgate yesterday and did a story about our tribute to my friend Scott. She hung out with us for quite a while. You can view the story on their website here: https://www.wibw.com/2021/10/17/tailgate-party-celebrates-life-former-hutchinson-hs-teacher/?fbclid=IwAR3dCrVtTg7R8Ax45S6z4JAd80nX4H6C8eMeMMGYg-c4mUtRgHg30As1vIc
If you are on social media, please follow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/joemathieu and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/kstatejoe. Thanks!