Expert Analysis: Inside how Kansas State blew out SEMO
Kansas State offensive personnel thoughts
Kansas State quarterback Will Howard picked up right where he left off last season and had an exceptional performance out of the gate. He collected four total touchdowns, with two of them of the passing variety, a rushing score and he even caught a touchdown from running back Treshaun Ward.
He completed nearly 70 percent of his throws for 297 yards as well.
When he came off the field, it was time to turn to true freshman Avery Johnson, and he did not disappoint in his highly-anticipated K-State debut. Most of his damage was done on the ground when he made the FCS defenders look silly, but Johnson uncorked a few fantastic throws as well.
The sky is truly the limit for him, and it is clear he is the next best quarterback on the Kansas State roster.
In the backfield, it was the DJ Giddens show more than anything. He ran for over 100 yards on just 15 carries and was the best in pass protection as well. He saw more chances than Ward, but the Florida State transfer had a strong first half, too.
Ben Sinnott had a monster game, but he was not active in the second half. The K-State tight end was the only one productive and showed why he may be a day tow pick in the NFL Draft.
Receiver-wise, Phillip Brooks was “steady eddie” as expected, but Jadon Jackson caught a touchdown on the opening drive. The only blemish was a bit of a poor effort from Brooks on a route that Howard threw that resulted in an incomplete pass.
Jackson disappeared a bit after that, and RJ Garcia took off for the Wildcats. He and Howard connected several times to the tune of 119 yards and a touchdown. Garcia displayed spectacular hands and an ability to consistently create separation.
Kansas State true freshmen Tre Spivey and Jayce Brown were both effective in the first career snaps. I also liked what Xavier Loyd did with the second unit. His one catch was a well-run route followed by an explosive turn upfield.
It was hard not to be a little overwhelmed by the K-State offensive line. Considering the production and career starts returning, one would have thought they would have been a bit more dominant and commanding against an FCS front.
But that was not the case.
Cooper Beebe was exceptional. I don’t know if folks realize how difficult it is to switch from the left side to the right side and back to the left in the same game, not to mention doing so whilst also playing at tackle and on the interior. He continues to be sensational.
Another that had a great outing was KT Leveston. Everyone on the line trusts him because he has become a much more consistent player that imposes his will on the opponent. An NFL future is probably ahead of him.
I felt that everyone else left a little to be desired in week one, particularly in the first half. Though it was more of a result of wearing down the SEMO defense, they opened up much more holes and protected the Kansas State quarterbacks much better in the second half.
The personnel changes throughout the game seemed to suggest that the right tackle spot was not yet solidified in the absence of Christian Duffie.
Jevon Banks/Kansas State Athletics
K-State defensive personnel thoughts
In what was honestly a bit surprising to me, the K-State defensive line controlled the entire game and was the main reason the Wildcats pitched a shutout. Khalid Duke reached the quarterback several times and Nate Matlack had a few splash plays, too.
As reserves, both Tobi Osunsanmi and Chiddi Obiazor left their mark.
Osunsanmi is more of a linebacker but attacked off the edge and played extremely fast when he saw his snaps. He’s clearly more comfortable being turned loose after the signal-caller early in his career. Obiazor was consistently in the backfield.
The best position group on the defensive side of the ball was the interior. The trio of Jevon Banks, Damian Ilalio and Uso Seumalo wreaked all kinds of havoc. Ilalio was first, then Banks displayed great quickness off the ball and Seumalo was overpowering in his limited playing time.
Uso Seumalo/Kansas State Athletics
Desmond Purnell and Daniel Green were just steady, but Austin Moore may have had the best game of anyone on the defensive side of the ball. Austin Romaine and Asa Newsom saw their first snaps at the spot and played well. Romaine really flashed.
If I have the formation and scheme correct, Jacob Parrish committed a few errors in zone coverage but was pretty special otherwise. He has elite potential and very well could be on his way to being an All-Big 12 type of cornerback at some point in his career.
Keenan Garber had a pretty good night with no glaring mistakes, and Will Lee was rarely challenged.
Marques Sigle was suspended, and that allowed Kansas State redshirt freshman Colby McCalister to log his first career start at safety. The safeties weren’t challenged at all, and that meant quiet nights for most. However, I actually thought McCalister had the best game of the bunch.
Fan’s notable numbers
1. Klieman vs the FCS: Chris Klieman built his career by dominating FCS opponents at North Dakota State and that has continued into his fifth season at K-State. This was his most dominating performance yet, too. Kansas State’s defense held the No. 12/No. 11 FCS preseason ranked Redhawks to zero points per drive, a 32.3 percent success rate and only three yards per snap before garbage time. The K-State defense had a 22.6 percent havoc rate and forced punts on five of the six first half drives and also stopped SEMO on downs. The offense put up a dominant 61.4 percent success rate, scored 5.83 points per drive and averaged 8.8 yards per play while scoring touchdowns on five of their first six drives.
2. Kansas State rush offense: Kansas State made 25 run calls and gained 178 yards for 7.1 yards per snap and a 60 percent success rate. Five rushes gained at least 10 yards. Treshaun Ward was good early, with gains of 17 and 15 yards in his first three rushes. He finished with 56 yards on 11 carries for 5.1 yards per rush and also threw a touchdown to Will Howard. DJ Giddens grew stronger as the game progressed, gaining 128 yards on 15 carries for 8.5 yards per rush. Giddens had a 43-yard carry and runs of 14 and 19 yards in the second half. Will Howard had a 1-yard score on a nice read play in the second quarter. In the second half, a group of reserves got plenty of snaps. That included Avery Johnson recording his first touchdown as a Wildcat.
3. K-State pass offense: Will Howard had an efficient night with 297 yards and a pair of touchdowns while completing 69 percent of his passes for an impressive 11.4 yards per attempt. RJ Garcia and Ben Sinnott both finished with triple-digit receiving yards. Garcia caught five balls for 119 yards and a score, averaging 23.8 yards per catch with a long of 44 yards. Sinnott had five catches for 100 yards and 20 yards per catch with a long of 40. Phillip Brooks had six catches for 40 yards and a long of 22. The passing game had a success rate of 60 percent, averaging 10.1 yards per pass call before garbage time. 25 plays gained 253 yards, with 10 plays gaining at least 10 yards.
4. Kansas State run defense: SEMO entered the game with one of the best running backs in the FCS, but the Wildcats completely dominated the Redhawks’ running game. SEMO had nine non-garbage time run calls and gained just 13 yards for 1.4 yards per carry and a success rate of 11.1 percent. Geno Hess, the Ohio Valley Offensive Player of the Year and first team FCS All-American was held to -4 yards on 10 carries.
5. K-State pass defense: The Redhawks brought back FCS Preseason All-American receiver Ryan Flournoy and quarterback Paxton DeLaurent. Flournoy finished with 10 catches and 96 yards, while DeLaurent had 213 yards passing and completed 67 percent of his throws. The pass offense had a success rate of 37.0 percent, averaging 11.9 yards per play and gaining 119 yards before garbage time. 10 of 27 passes gained at least 10 yards, but only one gained more than 20.
6. Kansas State special teams: Phillip Brooks had a 33-yard kickoff return to start the second half and Chris Tennant hit a 51-yard field goal. K-State had two garbage time punts that averaged 41 yards and didn’t allow for a return. SEMO had a slight advantage in starting field position with an average start at their 28.7 yard line compared to the 25.0 for Kansas State.
Kansas State snap counts
OFFENSE
Hayden Gillum: 61
KT Leveston: 57
Ben Sinnott: 55
Cooper Beebe: 55
Will Howard: 55
Hadley Panzer: 54
Phillip Brooks: 54
RJ Garcia: 45
Taylor Poitier: 43
Will Swanson: 42
Carver Willis: 37
DJ Giddens: 36
Treshaun Ward: 28
Andrew Leingang: 22
Jadon Jackson: 22
Avery Johnson: 18
Xavier Loyd: 18
Jayce Brown: 17
Tre Spivey: 17
Sam Hecht: 12
Drake Bequaeith: 10
Sam Shields: 10
Joe Jackson: 9
Anthony Frias: 6
Brayden Loftin: 5
Christian Moore: 5
Seth Porter: 5
Michael Capria: 4
La’James White: 1
DEFENSE
Kobe Savage: 45
Colby McCalister: 43
VJ Payne: 43
Will Lee: 42
Daniel Green: 38
Austin Moore: 36
Jacob Parrish: 35
Desmond Purnell: 34
Brendan Mott: 30
Keenan Garber: 28
Khalid Duke: 28
Cody Stufflebean: 27
Jevon Banks: 23
Nate Matlack: 22
Asa Newsom: 21
Damian Ilalio: 21
Jack Fabris: 18
Jordan Wright: 17
Tobi Osunsanmi: 16
Jake Clifton: 14
Justice James: 12
Wesley Fair: 12
Austin Romaine: 11
Beau Palmer: 11
Uso Seumalo: 11
Terry Kirksey: 10
Chiddi Obiazor: 9
Kanijal Thomas: 9
Donovan Rieman: 6
Trey Krause: 6
Asher Tomaszewski: 5
Drew Schmelzle: 5
Matthew Maschmeier: 5
Titus Tuiasosopo: 5
Tyler Nelome: 5
Trevor Erickson: 4
Jace Friesen: 3
Jordan Perry: 2
Max Marsh: 2
Zach Wittenberg: 1
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