Kansas State Football: Texas Bowl Tale of the Tape and My Keys to Victory

3 of 4

Sep 17, 2016; Manhattan, KS, USA; Kansas State Wildcats running back Alex Barnes (34) follows the block of offensive lineman Bryce Fitzner (78) during a game against the Florida Atlantic Owlsat Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. The Wildcats won the game 63-7. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports /

How the ‘Cats Measure Up

It’s no secret the Wildcat passing attack isn’t very good. Ranked 119th overall averaging only 153.8 yards passing per game isn’t anything to write home about.

We know our game is on the ground and running the RPO (Run Pass Option) or Zone Read with Jesse Ertz under center. Ertz is going to need to stick to game plan and recognize the coverage quickly in order to make efficient decisions with the ball.

Jesse is sporting a 117.8 passer rating, throwing for 1,560 yards on the season and 130 yards a game with 8 scores through the air.

He is also the team’s leading rusher with 945 net yards on the ground averaging 5.9 yards a carry and 10 scores on the ground.

Kansas State is averaging 232.9 rush yards a game, good enough for 25th overall. They are tied for 20th in points allowed with 21.8 points per game.

K-State scores over 30 points a game averaging 32.2. That puts them in at 49th.

Key number four, for the Wildcats in the game, is Alex Barnes and the offensive line. We have to get great blocking up front to allow Barnes the space he needs, and free up the edges.

Why Alex Barnes? Well, if he is at full health (Barnes is still questionable for the Texas Bowl), he could be a game changer. I love this kid’s tenacity. A downhill runner who doesn’t know that East and West exist.

Here’s a crazy stat line for you. Alex Barnes has carried the ball a total of 56 times and has rushed for 442 yards. He averages 7.9 yards per carry (WOW). That’s amazing enough, but what’s more? How about 0 yards lost.

That’s right. Barnes has not been tackled for a loss at all in 2016. 11 games played, 56 carries, 442 yards, ZERO for a loss! Oh, and he has 6 scores on the ground.

Want a comparison? Justin Silmon has carried the ball 20 more times than Barnes (76 carries) in the same amount of games. Silmon has 407 yards on the ground and has lost 20 yards.

Jesse Ertz, who leads the team in rushing on 159 attempts, has 945 net yards gained. His gross is 1,099. Ertz has been tackled for a loss or sacked for a negative 154 yards.

Sorry to get on a tangent there, but I thought that was pretty stinking amazing. Zero yards lost? That kid is special.

As long as we play Kansas State football, the Kansas State way, we’ll be fine, I think. Whether we win or lose, it’s another winning season. We’ll be proud of those boys, nonetheless.

Home/Football