Close, But No Cigar Against Baylor
FIRST QUARTER
The Good: Kansas State scored in the quarter on a Joe Hubener one-yard touchdown run that capped off a 17-play, 88-yard Wildcat drive that was highlighted by two fourth-down conversions and took over nine minutes.
The Bad: The Wildcats allowed two Baylor scores, one on a one-yard touchdown run from Baylor’s true freshman quarterback Jarret Stidham and another on a 55-yard touchdown pass to Baylor wide receiver K.D. Cannon.
Significant Stat: 12:18. The Wildcats possessed the ball for over 12 minutes of the quarter, taking control over the time of possession yet finding a way to trail 14-7 due to the nature of Baylor’s quick strike drives.
SECOND QUARTER
The Good: The Wildcat defense was able to force two punts out of a high-caliber Baylor offense that entered the Kansas State game averaging 61.1 points per game. Two Wildcat drives also entered a sizeable distance into Baylor territory, although both drives stalled out and resulted in no points.
The Bad: Baylor scored quickly after a Hubener interception on a 81-yard touchdown pass from Stidham to Corey Coleman on the play following the interception. Hubener also turned the ball over earlier in the quarter on a fumble to end a promising drive in Baylor territory.
Significant Stat: 81. The 81-yard touchdown reception was the longest in Baylor wide receiver’s Corey Coleman’s illustrious career. Coleman is statistically one of the best receivers in Big 12 history and is projected as one of the best NFL draft prospects at wide receiver if the junior was to declare for the draft this year.
THIRD QUARTER
The Good: Kansas State was able to put points on the board with a 36-yard Cantele field goal that brought the Wildcats within 11. The Wildcats also forced Baylor to punt on the first Bear drive of the quarter.
The Bad: Coleman scored his second touchdown of the night on an acrobatic three-yard touchdown reception, giving Baylor a 28-10 lead at the end of the quarter. The Wildcat offense was also forced to punt twice after scoring a field goal on the opening drive of the half.
Significant Stat: 31. Kody Cook had a 31-yard reception that helped to set up the Kansas State field goal. Cook had 71 yards receiving in the game on six receptions and also threw two passes on trick plays where Cook threw out of a wide receiver screen.
FOURTH QUARTER
The Good: Kansas State scored two touchdowns in the quarter: the first on a 34-yard Hubener touchdown run and the second on a 10-yard Deante Burton touchdown reception. Baylor also missed a field goal which allowed the Wildcats the opportunity to tie the game only down 31-24.
The Bad: Baylor added another score in the quarter, although only a field goal as the Wildcat defense held a lengthy Baylor drive to a 39-yard Chris Callahan field goal. Kody Cook also threw an interception on the Wildcat’s final drive of the game, ending Kansas State’s chances at a miracle comeback.
Significant Stat: 34. Hubener’s 34-yard rushing touchdown was the longest rushing play of Hubener’s career. Hubener rushed for a total of 153 yards and two touchdowns on the game on 29 carries, taking a majority of the Wildcats’ offense on to his shoulders.
GAME NOTES
- The Bears were held to their lowest scoring total since only managing 27 points against West Virginia in 2014
- The first Wildcat drive was the longest Kansas State drive since a nine minute, 54 second touchdown drive in the 1999 Holiday Bowl against Washington
- Joe Hubener and Kody Cook both had career days: Hubener had career-highs in rushing yards and rushing attempts and Kody Cook had career-highs in receiving yards and receptions.
Trevor Elwell-Cuddy
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