Collin Klein left Saturday’s 31-20 win over Tulane with plenty to like, but he made it clear there was still plenty for Kansas State to clean up.
Speaking after the game, Klein said he was proud of how his team handled a fast, physical matchup and credited Tulane for bringing plenty of answers on both sides of the ball.
“Good afternoon. Proud of our guys and how they fought in the battle that was that football game.
We told them it was going to be fast-paced. We told them that they were fast on both sides.
They were physical. Thought they really did that.”
He also gave credit to Coach Hall and his staff for the way Tulane forced Kansas State to adjust.
“Credit Coach Hall and his staff. Thought they had some really, really good plans on both sides of the ball.
Made us adjust and kind of change some things that they had put on tape those first three weeks. And credit to Tulane.
They're a really, really good ball club, and their quarterback did an unbelievable job and played tough, made some big plays back there for them.”
Klein pointed to Kansas State’s defense settling in after some early trouble on third down. He said Tulane’s triple-option looks created some easy yards at times, but the Wildcats responded well enough to limit the damage.
“You know, we weren't able to get off the field quite as well on third down on defense. You know, had some of the triple-option football stuff kind of gave them some easy yards at times, but was proud of how the defense made those adjustments. We were able to, even on some of those long drives, get the brakes put on and hold them to field goals early, which was really, really important.”
On offense, Klein said the group worked through an unsettled start before finding its rhythm. He said Tulane’s internal run pressure caused problems early, but quarterback Avery settled things down.
“Thought we were able to settle in on offense. They did a really nice job in some of their run pressures internally that had us a little unsettled there early.
Thought we settled in. Thought Avery did a tremendous job of just working the game.
Incredible competitive demeanor. Took what they gave us over and over, and I thought the guys, through that middle stretch, we were able to get in a really, really good rhythm.”
Tibbs also drew praise for coming through in key spots on third down.
“I thought Tibbs made some really, really big plays and big catches for us on third down. Thought we were able to be decent on third down. There are still a couple out there that are really, really frustrating that are self-inflicted, that we have to clean up offensively to keep ourselves on the field.”
Special teams earned a mention as well, with Klein highlighting the job Kansas State did against Tulane’s return speed and the field-position help Simon provided.
“You know, special teams, I thought, did a really nice job of containing some speed in their return game and neutralized that part of the ball game. Simon flipped some fields for us, which was really, really positive.”
For all the positives, Klein circled back to the penalties, which he called a major problem.
“So, a lot of good things. Way too many penalties.
Very, very frustrated that we have to be more disciplined. After the play's over, we get them.
We give them a free first down. Fourth down and a mile, defensive pass interference.
We gift them another first down. I'm out there and let the ref run into me and get a freaking sideline warning.”
He said those mistakes can’t keep happening, especially with conference play coming next week on the road.
“So, just, we have to tighten those things up, you know, collectively, so that we don't give people free stuff that way. But I think it's a great lesson for our guys and a great opportunity to be able to move forward and get better as we go on the road in our first conference game next week.”
In Other News...
Kansas State Win Revealed More Than Fans Will Like Before Big 12 Play
Kansas State closed non-conference play with a 31-20 win over Tulane, moving to 3-0 and giving the Wildcats a clean runway into Big 12 action. Avery Johnson was the headliner, piling up a career-high 152 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while the defense again showed it can lean on depth up front to keep the team in games.
Still, the win also offered a few reminders of what will matter once the league schedule starts. The offensive line had stretches that looked vulnerable, and the Wildcats had to finish without safety Logan Bartley after he left early because of injury, while defensive lineman Jordan Allen did not play. The record looks good, but the next phase will tell Kansas State a lot more about how complete this team really is. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas State May Have Found The Linebacker It Needed Most
Kansas State has been searching for answers in the middle of its defense since Austin Romaine transferred to Texas Tech, and Gabe Powers is beginning to look like a player who can help steady that spot. The fifth-year senior, who arrived from Ohio State, has already started to settle in with the Wildcats and showed his value in a recent victory against Washington State, where he finished with four tackles.
Powers is expected to keep playing a major role as the schedule moves forward, and that matters for a defense still adjusting to life without Romaine. The fit has been encouraging enough that Kansas State may have found a linebacker who can give it the kind of reliability it needed most, even if the full picture is still coming into focus. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas State Heads Into Big 12 Play With Real Reason To Believe
Kansas State finished its non-conference schedule unbeaten after holding off Tulane 31-20 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium, and the bigger takeaway may be the way Avery Johnson keeps tilting games in the Wildcats favor. The quarterback accounted for 228 passing yards and 152 more on the ground, using his legs to finish the job with a 12-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
That kind of dual-threat performance gives Kansas State something real to lean on as Big 12 play opens next week against Cincinnati. The Wildcats have a 3-0 record and, just as importantly, a growing sense that their offense has a clear identity heading into the part of the schedule that will say the most about them. [Read more 🡒]