Rapid Recap: Satisfaction of a Kansas State win and Big 12 title game berth

SATISFACTION OF THE KANSAS STATE WIN

Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman did not hide his satisfaction from the accomplishment after defeating Kansas a fourth time in the Sunflower Showdown and clinching a berth in the Big 12 Championship Game.

Some of it was because it was a culmination of a four-year build that had been ongoing. They poured a lot of blood, sweat and tears into carving out a program, a culture and locker room in their vision the last several months and it manifested itself in significant wins during the 2022 season that made Saturday night possible.

Another part of it was just the ability to earn it in the manner that they did instead of having to back into it due to Texas falling to Baylor on Black Friday. It was just extra special having the stakes being what they were for the regular season finale against the Jayhawks.

He insisted once again, that even if it is out of his hands, he believes K-State should play Kansas in the final game of every season.

DEFENSIVE TURNAROUND

They have made a habit of it, but Kansas State once again followed up a bit of a lackluster first half on defense with an excellent one in the second half. In fact, they have only allowed 15 second half points total across the last five games.

If there was ever an indication that adjustments are being won by K-State, it is the fact that Joe Klanderman has a unit performing much better and nearly being perfect in the last 30 minutes of games this year. The Jayhawks scored just six points on the last seven drives.

Klieman noted that the first half issues were a product of poor communication. They rectified that and had little to no issues the rest of the way. The same happened versus West Virginia and Texas.

SPECIAL TEAMS STUD

Klieman called Kansas State punter Ty Zentner a stud after game. Let’s face it, he’s not just a punter. Zentner also handles the kickoff and field goal duties, too. He’s the best special teams weapon in college football at the moment.

And it wasn’t just his punts that changed the game. He made the lone field goal attempt and has been perfect on eight tries since replacing Chris Tennant earlier in the season. Quite frankly, he deserves the Ray Guy award this year. He was named a semifinalist for the honor earlier in the week.

Zentner boomed a 72-yard punt that pinned Kansas deep inside their own territory. He launched another that had the Jayhawk returner backpedaling and caused him to muff it. K-State would score a touchdown on the ensuing possession. He also backed up Kansas before they were whistled for a hold in the end zone that gave the Wildcats two points (safety).

Thus, he was responsible for nine of the points that contributed to an early 16-7 Kansas State advantage. He was a difference-maker.

SENIOR NIGHT TWIST

I noticed it at the time and forgot about it, but Klieman did share a difference that they made with the Senior Night festivities. They had the players come out and be acknowledged by the fans, embrace their head coach and meet with their families as they normally would before the game.

And i do want to point out that it was a great sight to see and particularly heartwarming to hear an incredible ovation for Adrian Martinez after everything that he has been through in college and his importance to this year’s club, his impact on Will Howard and the great teammate he has been in Manhattan.

However, rather than remaining on the field and waiting for the rest of the team to run out for the pregame introductions, they chose to have the players head to the locker room after sharing a moment with their loved ones.

Klieman shared that the stakes of the contest were too high, and they decided that it was critical for them to re-join the rest of the roster and re-set their emotions, re-calibrate and center their mind-set back on the game.