Kansas State showed more in their win against Tulane than they did in their Week 1 matchup against UT Martin. Even though they came out flat in the first half, sometimes being able to have a big comeback win can show more about a team than a blowout does.
Kansas State was able to overtime a 10-point deficit at halftime to beat Tulane 34-27 and they did with all three phases of the game. While the offense had to score the points to come back, the defense had to stand tall and hold Tulane to as few points as possible to make it easier for the offense and they did just that.
A big reason the Kansas State offense was able to work so efficiently and come back from a deficit was because of Avery Johnson's quarterback play. Johnson looked like a veteran in the second half against Tulane as a sophomore who just became a starter in the Wildcat offense.
Johnson didn't look perfect by any means, but he did look great, so let's grade his performance against Tulane in Week 2.
Avery Johnson took over the starting gig this season for Kansas State after quarterback Will Howard transferred to Ohio State in the offseason. Since taking over the starting duties, Johson maybe hasn't performed to as high of a level as people had hoped, but honestly, that was to be expected.
However, against Tulane, even though the numbers may not look spectacular, the way he was able to pull it together in the second half is what earned him a B+ grade. Johnson could have gotten an A- or even an A grade after the game, but his first half play looked sloppy and rushed.
In the second half, Johnson showed a lot of patience and poise and also made a lot of big passes that helped build momentum for the Wildcats offense. Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman talked about the fourth-and-one play that ended in a touchdown for K-State. Klieman said that after the ball snapped, the Tulane defense blew it up as it was supposed to be a short pass to running back DJ Giddens for short yardage and a new set of downs. Giddens read the defense and instead of stopping, he ran through the defense and was wide open for the pass from Johnson.
Johnson, instead of rushing or freaking out, which a lot of young quarterbacks are known to do just out of lack of experience, settled down and was patient. Once Johnson saw Giddens free from the defense, he threw a perfect pass for the touchdown, a touchdown that proved very important.
Johnson got better from Week 1 to Week 2 and if he can continue to improve and figure more and more out, he will become a dangerous player in college football. Johnson showed a lot against Tulane, he showed he is not just a prolific runner, he showed he can throw the ball efficiently as well.
Avery Johnson is getting better and better and defenses should be scared, especially in the Big 12.