Rapid Recap: The Kansas State inability to run the ball
Kansas State run game
It is now a three-game stretch where Kansas State is struggling to run the football. The Wildcats ran for just 89 yards on 34 carries at Houston, good for just 2.6 yards per carry. According to K-State head coach Chris Klieman, the Wildcats are not playing with good fundamentals or technique up front.
Kansas State has been able to overcome the ineffectiveness in the run game with explosives. However, those did not come against the Cougars, with the longest rush being a 13 yard run. Klieman also noted even when they block it well, the Wildcats still have to bust through an arm tackle and aren’t.
Teams are also pressuring and doing more stunts in the run game, and the K-State offensive line has not been able to identify and pick those up.
Decision to throw in the fourth quarter
Despite leading 19-10 in the fourth quarter with 12:30 to go, Kansas State still decided to throw the ball. It was a called RPO, but Avery Johnson threw the ball and it was intercepted. The turnover ended up leading to a touchdown for Houston to make the game 19-17 and K-State fell 24-19.
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Klieman said he would not go back and change the play call. The Wildcats were not able to run the ball effectively enough to just run the ball in that situation.
K-State defense
It was a solid day for the Kansas State defense outside of the late 41 yard touchdown run by Zeon Chriss. Klieman thought they played well enough to win and had a good game plan. Houston is a team that is run first and the Wildcats took away that facet for the most part.
The Cougars ended up with just 121 yards rushing on 41 carries.
On the 41 yard run, Chriss made a cut-back and popped the run. K-State was not able to get off their blocks. Houston was able to beat the Wildcats due to being better in fundamentals Saturday.
