Collin Klein didn’t waste any time getting to the details Monday morning as he broke down what stood out from the tape and what’s waiting next with Cincinnati.
The special teams work, first and foremost, jumped off the film for him. Klein said Brandon White was steady on punts in difficult conditions, calling out the wind as “very, very spotty” and saying it created “really, really tough situations.” Even without a return, White helped protect field position and handled the ball cleanly.
Klein also pointed to the coverage units as a major part of the hidden-yardage battle. He said the team did a tremendous job keeping Cincinnati’s returners from making splash plays and noted the Wildcats finished 18 yards ahead in hidden yardage. With the game described as clean on both sides, that edge in special teams became one of the few true difference-makers.
On offense, Klein said the group settled in during the middle portion of the game. One of the biggest signs of that, in his view, was how often the offense avoided obvious passing downs.
He said the team faced third-and-seven-plus just three times all game, a sharp drop from where it had been, and that first- and second-down efficiency was up overall. That helped keep the offense out of long-yardage trouble and allowed it to keep moving.
There was still one missed opportunity inside the 10 that ended with a field goal instead of a touchdown, but Klein said he was pleased with how the offense adjusted and kept competing. He also highlighted the four-minute drive to close the game, saying, “Finishing with the ball in your hand is always a good thing.”
Defensively, Klein said the conversion downs told the story. He thought there was plenty of good work on that side of the ball, but said the defense let the opponent stay on the field a few too many times on those key downs. He also said there were missed tackles in space, though he made clear those are issues that can be cleaned up.
Even so, he said the defense competed hard and did enough to force field goals during long drives, which ended up mattering in the final outcome.
The challenge only gets bigger this week. Klein praised Coach Satterfield and the consistent offensive production he’s had “for a very, very long time,” saying his teams have averaged over 200 yards rushing and passing per game year after year, no matter the program. Cincinnati’s offensive line drew a strong review as well, with Klein describing it as big, talented and athletic.
He also singled out the quarterback as extremely competitive and said the running backs are tough to bring down. On the other side of the ball, Klein noted Cincinnati has a new defensive coordinator and a new scheme, along with a roster built to match it. He said the Bearcats show a wide variety of structures and fronts and have long been known for sound, fundamental football.
With the game on the road and at night, Klein said special teams could again swing things in a big way. For his group, the focus is simple: be ready for the test and open conference play the right way.
In Other News...
Kansas State Just Raised The Stakes For Its Big 12 Opener
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Avery Johnson has been a big reason for the positive start, giving Kansas State the kind of quarterback play that can make an underdog dangerous in league play. Now the attention shifts to Cincinnati and the Wildcats' Big 12 opener, where the early momentum will matter a lot less than how they handle the first real conference test. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas State Faces A Defensive Question At The Worst Time
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The timing is less than ideal for a team trying to settle in for conference play, especially with official injury reports still to come later in the week. Some other injured Wildcats are also unlikely to be back for this game, leaving Kansas State to manage its depth carefully while it tries to keep the defense intact for a matchup that already carries early Big 12 weight. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas State May Have Found The Weapon Avery Johnson Needed
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Josh Manning has also helped widen the picture for Kansas State, giving Johnson another receiver who can keep defenses from keying on one spot. With last years leading receiver Jayce Brown gone, the Wildcats needed someone to step into that void, and Tibbs and Manning have given them an encouraging early answer as they head into the rest of the schedule. [Read more 🡒]