Monthly Archives: September 2011

Player to watch: Terrance Ganaway

Sept. 30, 20113:41 p.m.

If last year’s game between Baylor and Kansas State taught us anything it’s that the Bears have more offensive weapons than Robert Griffin III.

While the Wildcats’ defensive backs played off the line of scrimmage and tried to prevent Griffin, Baylor’s do-everything quarterback, from throwing deep, running back Jay Finley did all kinds of damage at the line of scrimmage. He turned 26 carries into a career-high 250 yards and two touchdowns.

Granted, K-State’s defense is much better today than it was back then, but the point remains: Baylor’s offense is more complex than just its best player. Even if he is a Heisman Trophy contender and has completed more touchdown passes (13) than incompletions (12).

One player who could hurt K-State this year is running back Terrance Ganaway, a senior from DeKalb, Texas. In three games this season, he has rushed for 289 yards and three touchdowns on 51 carries. He has rushed for at least 80 yards and a touchdown in every game.
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By Kellis Robinett | Tags: , , , , , , Filed under Football, Player 2 Watch | Comments Off

K-State to play Missouri on ABC

Sept. 26, 20114:14 p.m.

The Kansas State football team will make its second straight appearance on ABC when the Wildcats take on Missouri at 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 8 at Snyder Family Stadium.

K-State’s game against Missouri will be the program’s 38th appearance on ABC. The Wildcats are set play Baylor at 2:30 p.m. on ABC this Saturday, as well. The back-to-back ABC games will also mark the first time since 2003 that K-State will play multiple games on the network in a single season.

Fewer than 3,000 tickets remain for both games.

By Kellis Robinett | Filed under Football | Comments Off

Bill Snyder thinks highly of Robert Griffin

Sept. 25, 20112:41 p.m.

Heading into this week’s game against Baylor, a key focus of Kansas State’s defense will be Bears quarterback Robert Griffin.

The Heisman Trophy contender, who used to run hurdles for Baylor’s track team and is considered by many to be the fastest quarterback in college football, can create matchup problems for any defense he encounters. Especially this year. So far, he has completed 70 of 82 passes for 962 yards and 13 touchdowns. That’s right, he has more touchdowns than incompletions.

He has also rushed for 158 yards and led Baylor to a 3-0 record with an impressive win over TCU. Behind his efforts, the Bears have climbed to No. 15 in the national polls.

Before leaving Sun Life Stadium on Saturday night, K-State coach Bill Snyder briefly talked about Griffin and the challenges he presents. Based on the praise he had for Griffin, it’s safe to say he began devising a game plan on the flight him.

Check out this quote:

“We’ve got to line up and play against the No. whatever team they are in the nation — 17, 16 something like that — in Baylor with probably as good a quarterback as there is in the United States at any level.”

By Kellis Robinett | Filed under Football | Comments Off

Sunday Rewind: K-State 28, Miami 24

Sept. 25, 201111:20 a.m.


Overall Assessment: This was Kansas State’s biggest win since … when?

That’s the question I think is most up for debate today. The Wildcats defeated the Miami Hurricanes 28-24 at Sun Life Stadium and Saturday’s game certainly has to rank highly among recent wins for the program.

Beating Texas, UCLA and Central Florida were all nice wins last year, but they each came at home. A 62-14 thumping of Texas A&M was awfully impressive two seasons ago, but the Aggies were a different bunch back then. They aren’t comparable to a road win over Miami.

I think you’ve got to back to 2007, when K-State crushed Texas 41-21 in Austin under Ron Prince to find a more impressive victory. Under current coach Bill Snyder, this is probably the biggest win since the Wildcats took down top-ranked Oklahoma 35-7 in the 2003 Big 12 championship game.

Saturday’s win wasn’t anywhere near that meaningful, and Snyder said that he doesn’t think K-State has “arrived” yet. He thinks it still has plenty of work ahead of it. That’s true. The Wildcats will need to continue improving to win tough upcoming games against Baylor and Missouri, but this was a nice start down that path.

K-State looked brilliant on offense at times behind Collin Klein and John Hubert. And its defense played well enough to win against a strong, fast Miami offense. Here’s a look at all that and more in this week’s Sunday Rewind:

Player Evaluations

Seven that were good:

1. Collin Klein. Kansas State’s quarterback did everything on Saturday. He ran for 93 yards (many of them tough yards) on 22 carries and threw for 133 yards and two touchdowns. Most of his passes were short, but they were all safe. The only time he took a risk he made a perfect pass, lofting the ball over a linebacker and in between two defensive backs to hit Tyler Lockett for a 20-yard touchdown. He left the game with blood on his jersey, too many scratches to count and a slight limp in his step. But he said that simply came from being tired after a tough game. His teammates appreciated his efforts.

Here’s what Chris Harper had to say about Klein: “I told him at halftime, ‘Since we’re in Florida you should go into Tim Tebow mode.’ That’s really what he was out there doing … He played tough. He played really, really tough. I was proud of him today. He took some hits.”
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By Kellis Robinett | Tags: , , , , , , , , , Filed under Football, Sunday Rewind | Comments Off

Live Blog: K-State 28, Miami 24

Sept. 24, 20112:26 p.m.

FINAL

The Kansas State football scored a marquee victory over Miami at Sun Life Stadium on Saturday, defeating the Hurricans 28-24.

The game came down to a fourth-and-goal play with less than a minute remaining in the fourth quarter. Miami quarterback Jacory Harris, from two yards away, ran left and dove toward the end zone. The officials ruled he scored a touchdown. But after a review, the go-ahead touchdown was overturned. Tre Walker tackled him just short of the goal line, and K-State was able to run out the clock.

With the win, the Wildcats improved to 3-0 and picked up some respect around the country. After two so-so wins against below-average competition, they now have a big-time road win on their resume.
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By Kellis Robinett | Filed under Football | Comments Off

Gameday Preview: K-State at Miami

Sept. 24, 20119:14 a.m.

Here are five things to watch during today’s 2:30 p.m. game between Kansas State and Miami:

1. How will the Wildcats handle a new environment? In their first two games, they played at home in front of sellout crowds. They also played against Eastern Kentucky and Kent State. Today will be a big step up in both environment and competition. The Miami Dolphins, Florida Marlins and Hurricanes all share Sun Life Stadium. It is a huge, first-class venue. The Hurricanes just beat Ohio State easily. Blocking those differences out, and focusing on the game itself will be key.

2. Bryce Brown. People have been wondering who will play most at running back all season, and that is once again the case today. Brown, K-State’s most hyped and talented runner, barely played in the opener and didn’t see the field last week with a minor injury. Bill Snyder says he will be back in the mix today? Has the coach just been holding him back to use as a surprise against Miami? We will find out in a few hours.

3. Can K-State’s secondary keep up with Miami’s receivers? So far, the Wildcats’ cornerbacks and safeties have looked awesome. Nigel Malone, David Garrett and Tysyn Hartman all have made interceptions, and opponents have yet to throw for a touchdown against the Wildcats. But that was against two poor passing attacks. Miami is a different animal. If they can frustrate their speedy wide-outs, they are for real.
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By Kellis Robinett | Filed under Football | Comments Off

This week’s player to watch: Jacory Harris

Sept. 23, 201112:21 p.m.

Jacory Harris is one of the most entertaining players in all of college football.

When he is on, there are few better than the senior quarterback. He has a strong arm, fast feet and can drive defenses crazy with both. During his college career, he has thrown for 6,463 yards and 52 touchdowns.

When he is off, he can be the opposing team’s best friend. He rarely gives up on plays, and is never afraid to take chances. Put it this way: He’s a gambler, and his bets don’t always pay off. With 10 games remaining in his senior season, he has tossed 41 interceptions and rushed for negative 80 yards.

For those traits, some have labeled him a “video game quarterback.” Every play he makes is big. Some for the right reasons. Some for the wrong reasons.
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By Kellis Robinett | Tags: , , , , , , , Filed under Football | Comments Off

Kansas Board of Regents to discuss conference realignment Thursday afternoon

Sept. 19, 20119:45 p.m.

Ed McKechnie, chairman of the Kansas Board of Regents, said Monday night that the board has added conference realignment to its agenda Thursday.

The meeting, which will be held in executive sessions with officials from both KU and K-State present, is roughly scheduled for noon but the time could change, he said. The Big 12 and possible legal options will be discussed.

“I remain confident the Big 12 will survive,” McKechnie said. “In 10 years, I think Nebraska and Colorado will look back and regret leaving. The Big 12 has a bright future and a lot more to offer as a sum than its parts.

“I am confident and hopeful that in the end everyone will talk and find a way to put this all back together.

“There are a lot of options out there, and I’m willing to listen.”

He thinks the league can continue even if it loses four more members, though that is not his wish.

“As long as five schools remain committed, the Big 12 will exist,” he said. “We are confident that will happen. We expect everybody to live up to their obligations and honor the contracts they have signed.”

By Kellis Robinett | Filed under Football | Comments Off

Manase Foketi likely to miss Miami game

Sept. 19, 20112:39 p.m.

Kansas State will face another adjustment on its offensive line this week. Manase Foketi, a senior who has started the last 15 games for the Wildcats at left tackle, will likely miss Saturday’s game against Miami with an injury.

“It appears that we will not have him,” K-State football coach Bill Snyder said.

Foketi injured himself during the first half of K-State’s 37-0 win over Kent State. He fell to the ground for a few minutes, and had to be helped off the field. The nature of the injury is unknown.

The loss of Foketi means K-State’s offensive line is down two starters from its opening-day lineup. Shaun Simon, who opened the season at center, is out indefinitely. Zach Hanson is expected to fill in for Foketi. Against Kent State, B.J. Finney moved to center while Nick Puetz and Colten Freeze took over at the two guard positions.

By Kellis Robinett | Filed under Football | Comments Off

Ellis to make college choice known Wednesday

Sept. 19, 201110:39 a.m.

Heights boys basketball player Perry Ellis will announce his college decision on Wednesday.

Ellis will make his decision public at 2:45 p.m. in the Heights gymnasium.

Four schools made his final list — Kansas, Kansas State, Kentucky and Wichita State. Ellis recently hosted home visits with all four schools.

“He’s handling it pretty smoothly,” said Fonda Ellis, his mother. “I’m real impressed with how he’s dealing with it. I think he’s real excited for Wednesday.”

Ellis, a 6-foot-8 forward at Heights, is No. 24 in the Rivals.com rankings for the class of 2012 and No. 37 in ESPNU’s national list. He is the school’s career rebound leader with 753 and second (behind Aubrey Sherrod) with 1,585 points. He averaged 22.1 points and 7.9 rebounds as a junior, leading the Falcons to a third straight Class 6A title.

Ellis plans to sign a national letter of intent during the signing period Nov. 9-16. He will make an official visit to the school he selects after the announcement.

– Paul Suellentrop

By Kirk Seminoff | Filed under Football | Comments Off