Looking back at the football season

Yesterday7:15 p.m.

After starting 3-1 in the Big 12, playing Oklahoma tough on the road and beating Kansas at home, it’s hard to believe the season is already over for the Kansas State football team.

In Bill Snyder’s return to coaching, the Wildcats improved as the season went along, showed incredible toughness following a lopsided loss at Texas Tech and brought excitement back to the gridiron before finishing with a 6-6 record.

K-State got better in several aspects this season, and when Missouri and Nebraska were playing sub-par football while the Wildcats were sitting all alone atop the North standings, it really looked they were going to win the division.

But as it turned out, they were simply the first North team to get its act together.

Snyder and his tireless work ethic gave K-State an early jump on the field, but once Nebraska found its groove and took down Oklahoma, the Cornhuskers became the team to beat in the North.
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Snyder enters Coach of the Year race

Nov. 11, 200911:57 p.m.

He’s been a strong candidate for Big 12 Coach of the Year all season, but now that Bill Snyder has Kansas State one win away from bowl eligibility and possibly a North division title, he’s beginning to be mentioned in the national race as well.

In his first season back, at the age of 70, he has led a K-State squad comprised of 12 first-year starters to a 5-2 record in its last seven games and a 4-2 mark in conference play. Compared to the beginning of the season, when the Wildcats struggled to beat UMass and lost to Louisiana-Lafayette, it is a remarkable turnaround.

There are lots of other wonderful candidates out there (we’ll get to them in a second) and climbing to the No. 1 spot in the country will be difficult. But he is in the conversation, and that is impressive.
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A few minutes with … Jacob Pullen

Oct. 23, 200912:37 p.m.

Jacob Pullen

When Jacob Pullen started talking to reporters at Big 12 media days this week, there wasn’t much of a crowd surrounding him.

But as the interview session went on and word spread that he was the best “quote” at the event, the cameras and microphones placed in front of his face multiplied exponentially.

Pullen, a junior guard on the K-State men’s basketball team who along with senior Denis Clemente is one of the Wildcats’ veteran leaders, had plenty to say about the upcoming season.

For your enjoyment, here are some of the highlights in a special Friday edition of “A few minutes with …”
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Breaking down the Big 12 North race

Oct. 20, 200910:52 p.m.

Can Kansas State win the Big 12 North?

Ask that question in Manhattan this week and you’re sure to get all kinds of input. It’s a hot topic right now, and with the Wildcats on top of the division at 2-1 they certainly look like contenders.

But what are their chances of actually besting Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri (those originally picked to fight for the top spot)? And can you really count out Colorado or Iowa State? They’re both 1-1 and are playing tough now too, you know.

It’s a tough division to predict, but here’s how things could shake out.
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A few minutes with … Tysyn Hartman

Oct. 20, 20098:02 p.m.

After completely shutting down Texas A&M’s potent offense over the weekend, the Kansas State defense earned all kinds of praise.

On top of allowing zero meaningful points throughout the game, the Wildcats’ defensive line came up with six sacks and their secondary made two interceptions.

Sophomore safety Tysyn Hartman grabbed one of those picks (his fourth of the season) and was fired up after the win. On Tuesday, he talked about that defensive effort and what it’s like to be on top in the Big 12 North.
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Banks named Big 12 Player of the Week

Sept. 28, 200911:34 a.m.

Brandon Banks

After what he did against Tennessee Tech (taking two kickoff returns of more than 90 yards to the end zone and catching three passes for 90 yards) Brandon Banks seemed like the obvious choice for Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week.

And the obvious choice won.

Today, the Big 12 honored Banks with its top weekly award. It is the second time he has won the accolade.
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