Rapid Recap: Kansas State receiving options not shaken

CONDITIONS VERSUS MISSOURI

The weather conditions of last Saturday were mentioned once again on Tuesday when we met with Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman and some of the players, such as quarterback Adrian Martinez and receiver Kade Warner.

Like was shared afterwards, the sloppiness inside the stadium really played a hand in their approach for the remainder of the game. Had they maintained the plan and thrown it around the yard like they wanted, it probably could have resulted in the same chaotic turnovers that we saw from Missouri.

Remember, the Tigers threw four consecutive interceptions when they began trying to force the ball downfield through the air because they were trailing.

Martinez even identified a different problem, and that was the lack of consistency in the ball and the conditions. Nobody knew what it was going to be like from play to play. There would be a dry ball, then a wet ball and so forth. It would be a downpour and then the rain would lighten up. The wind picked up on them a couple times.

The ever-changing conditions and condition of the ball made it tricky.

NO VALIDATION NEEDED FOR KANSAS STATE

Because they have yet to turn into a clean and sharp performance with the passing attack, many of the questions referred to that phase and the lack of production by K-State. Martinez and Warner were both asked if a breakout of sorts would give them a sort of validation or a boost of confidence.

Quite frankly, both pushed back pretty aggressively against that notion and were adamant that the team has not lost any kind of confidence in that phase. Martinez specifically said he was fine from a mental standpoint and never needed any kind of validation when it comes to any part of his game.

It would be good for them to see the ball moving around a bit, and it would be nice for the unit to find a groove and some rhythm, but nobody for Kansas State is panicking and everyone remains confident. They understand that they’ve kept some of the arsenal back for future games and that much of the approach has been dependent on the flow of the first two games.

As Warner shared, in many ways, the Wildcats feel like they have just not had an opportunity. They’re reacting and adjusting to the flow of the game, the weather and what the defense gives them.

TULANE’S THREAT

When speaking to players on both sides of the ball, whether that is Warner, Daniel Green, Deuce Vaughn or Josh Hayes, it is obvious that K-State has a lot of respect for the speed and athleticism that Tulane possesses at the skill positions.

The secondary can man up and compete on the outside and are not inferior athletes. They’ll be able to run with Kansas State. Offensively, Michael Pratt can spin it and distribute the ball to a multitude of playmakers as well.

Perhaps the Wildcats can have an advantage in the trenches and impose their will at that spot and showcase some physicality that could stun the Green Wave, but Willie Fritz’s club have a group of cornerbacks, safeties, wide receivers and running backs that will not be intimidated by the Power Five squad on the other sideline.