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Rapid recap: Kansas State looking for more growth on offense

On3 imageby:Drew Galloway•10/03/23•

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Will Howard 2023
Will Howard/Kansas State Athletics

Where the Kansas State offense can improve

The Kansas State offense has gotten off to a pretty good start this season. The Wildcats are averaging 39.5 points per game. That ranks No. 14 in the nation. They’re also averaging 482 yards per contest. That doesn’t mean that there isn’t room for a bit of improvement for K-State.

Specifically, quarterback Will Howard mentioned ball security. He has thrown an interception in every game this season. No. 18 also explained that sustaining drives was necessary. The UCF game was an example of what the offense can do if they can hold onto the ball a bit.

Kansas State punted just once.

Another area the Wildcats can make growth is the vertical passing game. They still do not have a completion of 50 or more yards yet this year. According to Howard, it has been a little bit of both timing and ball placement that has ailed them.

Peeking at Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State enters the game 2-2 after losing to Iowa State in their conference opener and also having a bye week. Both tight end Ben Sinnott and offensive tackle Christian Duffie shared that the Cowboys have some speed and physicality that can cause problems on that side of the ball.

Furthermore, like K-State a few years ago, Oklahoma State is enduring a few growing pains defensively as well because of the switch to the 3-3-5 scheme. That transition has left them out of sorts at times and exposed for a few big plays.

Flipping to the offensive side of the ball for the Cowboys, linebacker Austin Moore was very complimentary of the Oklahoma State playmakers. The Cowboys have a few different running backs they can use like Ollie Gordon and Elijah Collins.

Kansas State also has to be aware of their explosiveness on the outside.

Success against the run

K-State has been very, very good against the run this season. The Wildcats are No. 3 in the country in some of the more advanced metrics in that department. Uso Seumalo credits their physicality for some of that success.

Just like head coach Chris Klieman noted, the players know that the line of scrimmage will be where the game is won on Friday.

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