Kansas State Rolls Behind Strong Defensive Showing In 34-7 Rout Of Washington State
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The Kansas State Wildcats are off to a strong start in the coach Collin Klein era.
They kept the momentum going Saturday with an impressive 34-7 victory against the Washington State Cougars at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. They improved to 2-0, following up a 71-3 win over the Nicholls Cowboys in the season opener the previous week.
After a strong outing by the offense in the opener, this game was highlighted by a fired up defense. The Cougars gained just 166 total yards on offense. The most impressive aspect of the performance of limiting WSU quarterback Caden Pennick to just 65 passing yards. He entered this season as one of the nation's top transfer quarterback after throwing for more 3,330 and winning Big Sky Conference Freshman of the Year a year ago at UC-Davis.
The Cougars lone touchdown came when Jaylen Thomas intercepted KSU quarterback Avery Johnson and returned it 50 yards for a score. The rest of the game was all Wildcats.
The game was delayed at halftime due to lightning. The break never slowed the K-State momentum. After leading 17-7 at the half, they closed it out with 17 consecutive points.
Although Johnson did throw two picks in the first half, he rebounded with three touchdown passes. He connected with receiver Josh Manning for a 6-yard strike in the second quarter and then hooked up with running back Joe Jackson for a 21-yard score.
Johnson closed out the performance with a nine-yard touchdown pass to receiver Brandon White. He finished 22 of 34 for 192 yards. The Wildcats also received another strong effort from running back Rodney Fields, who had his second straight 100-yard rushing game. He broke free for a 75-yard touchdown and finished with 105 yards on 13 carriers.
He began the year as the backup to Jackson but has since emerged as the primary ball-carrier. Last year he played for the Oklahoma State Cowboys before deciding to hit the transfer portal. His presence was supposed to provide competition in the backfield but it appears he has earned the starting job.
The Wildcats return to action next Saturday against Tulane for a third straight home game.
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