Kansas State Wildcats Pass All Tests In Coach Collin Klein's Debut In 71-3 Rout Of Nicholls
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This was about as perfect as it could go in the first game of the Collin Klein era for the Kansas State Wildcats.
They rolled to a 71-3 victory Saturday against Nicholls at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. It was the perfect homecoming for Klein, who started at K-State as a player during the early 2010s.
“My message to those guys before the game was we have to play with maximum effort, maximum focus every single snap, regardless whether things are going good or bad,” Klein said. “I was really, really proud of the mentality. I knew and felt the focus level throughout the course of this week was where it needed to be.”
The Wildcats gained 559 yards and were just five points shy of the school's single-game record. Quarterback Avery Johnson completed 15 of 21 passes for 199 yards and three touchdowns. He surpassed Will Howard as the school's all-time leader in touchdown passes with 27. The performance was so dominating it gave all three Wildcats quarterback a chance to get some much needed experience.
The running game was led by Oklahoma State Cowboys transfer Rodney White, who finished with 101 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. Six different Wildcats had rushing touchdowns, including starter Joe Jackson and Johnson.
The highlight of the game was perhaps an electrifying 65-yard punt by Brandon White in the first half. The effort is why so many around the country are projecting Kansas State as one of the top sleepers teams in the country. The Wildcats were picked to finish eighth in the Big 12 by the conference media but have a favorable schedule and appear to have new life under Klein. If Johnson can continue to play with consistency, there's no telling how far this team can go.
The game should provide plenty of motivation heading into next week's matchup against the Washington State Cougars in Manhattan.
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