Players of the game: Deuce Vaughn stands out for Kansas State in New Orleans

KANSAS STATE OFFENSIVE MVP: Deuce Vaughn

In what was potentially his final game in a Kansas State uniform, running back Deuce Vaughn did all his work on the ground. He was handed the ball 22 times and ran for 133 yards. That included an 88-yard touchdown gallop.

His six yards per carry was great against a good defensive team. Back-up running back DJ Giddens was productive in garbage time and K-State walk-on Jordan Schippers found the end zone late in the contest in the Caesars Superdome.

Kansas State quarterback Will Howard had his roughest game of the season. He threw two picks and went without a score. Howard missed a potential touchdown on a fourth and goal that completely shifted the tone of the game.

The K-State offensive line played better than I expected. Howard was rushed a number of times, but I think more often than not, he had a chance to read and scan the field. Alabama’s secondary played exceptionally.

His best ball of the day was on a back shoulder throw that Ben Sinnott couldn’t secure. Outside of that, Sinnott was pretty productive at moving the chains the few times that Kansas State had some momentum.

Phillip Brooks was decent, while Malik Knowles disappeared in the passing game. He caught just one of his six targets for six yards. Howard got the ball mostly to Kade Warner.

K-STATE DEFENSIVE MVP: Daniel Green

There’s no way to sugarcoat it. The K-State defense was gashed. They gave up 35 points two minutes into the second half. The offense didn’t help by failing to capitalize on their possessions and turning it over twice.

However, after the first two forced punts, the Wildcats surrendered five straight Alabama touchdowns. They were out-matched all over the field because the Crimson Tide started to click on the offensive side of the ball with their exceptional athletes at every position.

Bryce Young started off slow, but when he found his groove, he was flawless. His 32-yard touchdown strike to Ja’Corey Brooks was especially impressive. It was right over a Julius Brents who wasn’t far away. It was also an exceptional snag right in the corner of the end zone by Alabama’s Brooks.

The Alabama passing game set up massive holes in the run game.

It isn’t a great sign that freshman safety VJ Payne was the leading tackler for a lot of the game as he filled in for injured Kobe Savage. All three safeties led the tackle sheet, yet none had very good games. Payne and Josh Hayes missed tackles on the touchdown on the final play of the third quarter.

If we’re looking for some positives, Kansas State linebacker Daniel Green and defensive tackle Robert Hentz accounted for a tackle for loss apiece. Even Payne, who had his fair share of gaffes, sacked Young on a blitz where Green forced the quarterback to move up the pocket soon after the snap.

Austin Moore and Brents both could have had better games. The same could be said for K-State cornerback Ekow Boye-Doe.

We can’t deny that Alabama is one of the greatest programs of all time that has embarrassed good teams several times over the last decade. They put up 52 points on Ohio State in the National Championship two years ago.

There’s no trophies for losses, but at least Kansas State got their initial goal completed, which was the Big 12 title.

SPECIAL TEAMS MVP: Ty Zentner

Kicker/punter Ty Zentner knocked in both of his field goal tries that included a 41-yarder and booted four of his five punts flush, too. He’s had better games, but special teams was not a bright spot for the Wildcats.

Brooks decided to return a couple kicks that he shouldn’t have and Knowles only got a try at one return to start the game.