Kansas State grades: Assessing first loss of the season
Kansas State Quarterback: B+
The lone bright spot on Saturday was quarterback for Kansas State. Will Howard had one interception, but he was given little protection on the play and made the right decision. Howard made plays for the Wildcats despite getting banged up in the second half.
He also did his part on throws that would have picked up crucial first downs by the Wildcats but was plagued by key drops from pass catchers.
In addition to Howard’s play, K-State signal caller Avery Johnson received snaps at quarterback to try and boost the run game. Johnson picked up positive yards while he was in, and was necessary for the Wildcats to be able to run the ball late.
Running back: C+
Ball-carrier Treshaun Ward did some good things for Kansas State on Saturday. A few key runs for first downs and one big reception that led to a field goal were a part of his day. But the Wildcats don’t fully trust the run game yet, only giving running backs carries 19 times against Missouri.
Part of the struggle for the running backs has to be put on Ward and DJ Giddens for not breaking free from defenses enough, but the root of the run game issue has to do with the offensive line still struggling.
Wide receiver/tight end: C
K-State pass catchers weren’t horrible on Saturday, but they failed to create many explosive plays and the ones that did happen came from a tight end and running back. The Wildcats desperately need guys like Keagan Johnson and RJ Garcia to step up as the season moves on in the big play category.
A big killer in the Wildcats’ loss to Missouri was a drop by Ben Sinnott on third and four. The Tigers had just trimmed the Kansas State lead to 24-20 and Howard hit Sinnott for what should have been a first down.
Instead, Sinnott dropped the pass in preparation for the hit that was coming. Kansas State punted near midfield instead of continuing a drive to try and go up by two scores.
The viable pass catchers are there for K-State, I think, but they just need to take the next step toward becoming playmakers.
Offensive line: D+
I said it last week, a C+ game against Troy is likely to equate to a lower grade against a Power Five opponent. That’s especially the case with a defense as good as Missouri’s. That’s how it unfolded. It rings true for this week’s grade.
The Kansas State offensive line took a step forward, getting Carver Willis‘ best game of the year to this point. But Taylor Poitier struggled mightily and the jostling between tackle and guard for Cooper Beebe proved costly, as he allowed a sack on Saturday.
It was the first he has allowed since 2020 versus Iowa State.
Also, the limited number of rushing attempts given to running backs by the Wildcats is evidence of what they think of the current offensive line. This is the weakest spot in the K-State offense and it has to get better in a hurry now that Big 12 play is here.
Khalid Duke/USA Today
Kansas State defensive end: D
What did the Kansas State defensive ends do on Saturday? Not much. Nate Matlack didn’t record any notable defensive stats and Khalid Duke and Brendan Mott failed to get to the quarterback. The fourth defensive end on the roster, Cody Stufflebean, led this group in tackles with three.
The most disappointing thing about the defensive ends on Saturday is just how weak the Missouri offensive line has been. With a young secondary, K-State needed to pressure Brady Cook to force him to throw bad balls and not have time to bomb it to Luther Burden.
Nose guard: B-
The only defensive line sack came from Jevon Banks. Missouri also struggled to get their run game firing, even with a hot start by Cook. Maybe they could have done a little more, but yet again the nose guards were not part of the problem for Kansas State.
Linebacker: B-
It was a slow start for the defense as a whole, including Daniel Green. But once Green got up to speed midway through the second quarter, the rest of the unit did as well. Green paced K-State in tackles, had 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack. Unfortunately, he injured himself in the second half and spent significant time in the medical tent.
Saturday’s loss to Missouri wasn’t going to be decided by linebacker play, even though there was room for slight improvement.
Cornerback: C
It was a bad start for the Kansas State cornerbacks, with Jacob Parrish being part of a miscommunication that led to an easy answer for Burden and Missouri’s offense to start the game.
Missouri put up over 100 yards passing in the first quarter, but eventually, the Wildcats settled down. Will Lee made a critical pass break-up near the goal line that forced Missouri into a field goal in the second half as well.
By no means was it a good game, but the real secondary problems came from the guys behind the corners.
Safety: D
Starting with the good, Kobe Savage played his best game of the season on Saturday. It could be a sign that he is getting closer to being back to the Savage roaming the field in 2022 for K-State, prior to his injury.
However, it was not a good day for the other two safeties.
Marques Sigle was part of the miscommunication with Parrish that led to an easy score for the Tigers. It was a bad game for Sigle in coverage, as he tried to adjust to just his second game at the Power Five level. VJ Payne’s season-long struggles at safety appeared to continue as well.
Marques Sigle/Kansas State Athletics
Special Teams: B-
This should have been the best Kansas State performance of the season on special teams. It could still have been, with Phillip Brooks producing strong returns.
Chris Tennant missed a field goal from 54 yards, with the wind, that proved crucial in a 30-27 loss. Punter Jack Blumer also struggled to get a few quality punts off, although none of his bad balls seriously hurt the Wildcats.
Also, K-State didn’t get great pressure on the 61-yard game-winner from Harrison Mevis. Kansas State also had two number eights on the field, meaning Missouri would have gotten a second crack from closer if they missed the initial kick due to a penalty.
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