K-State 7, KU 7 At The End Of The First Quarter

Mike DiNovo-US PRESSWIRE

One thing about it, Charlie Weis has his team ready to play. KU and K-State are tied at seven apiece after one quarter of play, but the Jayhawks look like the better product on the field by a longshot. Some notes after 15 minutes of lackluster Wildcat defense:

Halfway through the first quarter, about the only Wildcat doing his job was punter Ryn Doerr. The Big XII special teams player of the week against Oklahoma did it again on K-State’s first drive. KU sold out on the punt block with 10 players. Doerr had to hurry the kick a little quicker than usual, and still managed to drop it inside the 20-yard line for a fair catch.

K-State looks sluggish so far today. I think a couple defenders didn’t take KU very seriously last night and stayed out a little too late drinking. Hopefully we get some Gatorade in them and they feel a little better the next 45 minutes.

Charlie Weis has done an excellent job game planning for K-State’s reputation as a bend but don’t break defense. With the secondary playing a bit off the line, KU called several screens that the Wildcats fail to adequately cover. After spreading out the defense with these plays, Weis called the occasional draw up the middle which was equally successful. K-State needs to demonstrate it can keep up with this play calling, or better teams are going to exploit this game plan and it’ll be a long day in Morgantown and Waco.

The second KU drive looked a lot better from K-State’s perspective. That is, until Weis called a punt fake that kept their second drive alive. The quarter ended with KU in possession on the same drive as this play.

Tyler Lockett has two kick returns for 50 yards. He hasn’t broken one yet, but has picked up where he left off in providing consistent special teams play.

Hubert and Tannehill are both extremely under respected in the national media. They made the Wildcat touchdown drive work – Tannehill with a beautiful 24 yard reception (and a nice pass by Klein), and Hubert with runs of 7, 15, and 20 (that last one for a touchdown). The 15 yarder was a off a good pitch by Klein that transformed from an awkward option play to a first down. After a disappointing first 3 and out on the first drive K-State manufactured a 12 play, 83 yard drive that was vintage Snyder.

Let’s hope K-State picks it up going forward.