K-State v. North Dakota State Football: Third Quarter Observations

John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Alright boys, last year you looked sloppy in taking a 10-7 lead against Missouri State, then busted it open in the second half. Let’s see if some of that same magic is still in your helmets.

Another pooch kick-off, landing at the thirty yard line. NDSU is absolutely terrified of Tyler Lockett’s abilities.

Another quick kick out to Tramaine Thompson, get some rhythm, seven-yard pick-up to start the half. Nice. Follows up by another pass to Thompson behind the line of scrimmage. K-State getting its passing yard by yards after catch, but I’m okay with that.

Hahahahahahahaha. LOL. ROFL. Two little dink and dunk passes, then Waters throws a nice little bomb down the sideline to Tyler Lockett. Waters is the best throwing QB Snyder has in a decade. 56-yard touchdown strike, three straight completions to open the second half. Cornerback bit on the quick hitch on that one. Waters is now 15-of-19, 218 yards, two touchdowns, one interception.

Dante Barnett with the pick. Ty Zimmerman is obviously the better safety, but listen for his name this year. Hubert gets the carry on first down, and runs into a wall. Did K-State forget how to run block over the offseason? At least he pass blocking has been relatively solid. Waters with two more nice short passes, including a solid Sexton reception over the middle on third down.

Oh man. Zach Trujillo just took a big hit, pops back up. Waters fakes run on that play to draw in linebackers and get the tight end some space. Follows up nice nine yard pass with hand-off to John Hubert for another loss…

ARGH – another time out when Jake Waters almost took his second delay of game. Gotta get that situation under control.

I don’t know if it’s disciplinary or otherwise, but when K-State comes back onto the field after the time out, it’s Daniel Sams under center. And in his first play for the 2013 season, he takes it 17 yards for a touchdown. Sams may be featured again tonight.

Jack Cantele for his first touchback kick-off of his NCAA career. I don’t know if he’s as good as brother Anthony, but he hasn’t been too bad on kick-offs so far tonight.

Nice – two solid stops in a row on the run game. 3rd-and-five. Defensive End Ryan Mueller is doing a great job containing the outside

Oh man – on third, NDSU has a nasty pick up for first down. I think Wes Welker may be suiting up for the Bison with that seam he ran across the field. North Dakota is willing to attack every part of the field – they’re not afraid of any defender. Nice defense by Zimmerman on that throw – stops the drive.

Actually, no stop – NDSU goes for it on fourth and inches. It was a hurry-up play and K-State did a stellar job on that play, lining up quickly and working to halt the sneak. NDSU is award the first down, but that was still a play to be proud of.

Worst thing I’ve seen tonight – Travis Britz is down with ankle injury. Looks to be walking off the field with assistance. One place K-State can’t suffer injuries: defensive tackles. Seriously, no injuries.

North Dakota State just hit with a false start. I just realized how few penalties we’ve seen this game – clean game. I like it. But the Bison bounce back with another pass for a first down. It’s interesting – K-State has still only allowed seven points with 4:35 left in the third, so it’s not like the defense has been failing us.

Jonathan Truman came out with what looked like a low hip issue, could be cramping. I know today was the first day over 100 in my hometown of Concordia in awhile, so this heat may be an issue.

And that’s a touchdown strike to shrink K-State’s lead 21-14. In the first half, NDSU’s run game couldn’t be stopped. It looks like the Wildcats figured out the run game, but now they can’t stop the pass. Misappropriation of resources? And yes, they follow up the score with another short kick-off.

Waters opens up this drive under center, first play is a 19 yard pass. Second is a play action to Hubert, and it falls well short. Bad pass – you hit Hubert in the numbers, and that’s a nice pick up. Shame. Waters throws it away on second down – learned his lesson from the earlier interception, I hope. Incomplete when K-State puts five wide and NDSU blitzes. Interesting –

Oh hell yeah – Mark Krause’s punt downed at the two. I told you he was gonna be solid.

Not solid: NDSU run for 66 yards. Dante Barnett the only safety back. I like the aggression looking for the safety, but sure could’ve used Ty Zimmerman back there…

NDSU falls just short on the third down pass, fourth down and two to go. The 41 yard kick is true, score is now 21-17. I like putting money on K-State and was too scared to tonight. I guess I know why now. There sure is a lot of yella in the stands tonight.

With 12 seconds left, Tramaine Thompson gets a chance to return the kick and brings it to the 37 before barely stepping out. Waters under center again. Play action, finds Tyler Lockett for about nine yards to end the quarter. I like K-State to win the game, but covering the two touchdown spread may be tricky.