KU Recap - A Sleepy Start

The Sunflower Showdown was as weird as ever.  The final score showed blow out but the Cats were only up by 7 at the half, and had just handed KU the momentum heading into the locker room.  However, K-State pulled out a vintage 3rd quarter and outscored KU 28-2 to allow Daniel Sams and the back-ups to take over in the 4th.  It was a game where we took 20-30 snaps less than usual.  A game where we lost the time of possession battle by almost 14 minutes.  A game where the O-Line changed positions several times throughout the game.  A game where we allowed a tight end to score a touchdown.  Straight up wacky.

First Quarter

 

Baby Lockett takes the best acrobatic photos

 Offense. That was by far the ugliest opening drive of the year.  Were they cold?  Were they asleep?  The whole thing was very strange.  Opurum should've picked off Collin on the first play of the game and run uncontested into the end zone.  Collin threw to Harper on the second play, one of those awful passes to Harper that never ever work.  Why is he always right on the sideline when he catches the ball?  All the other receivers get nice over the middle passes and Collin hits them in stride and they look super flashy.  Harper always has to squish right up next to the sideline so that he ends up with negative yards after catch.  Those two are still off.  Then the line completely dissolved on the third play and Collin just sort of ran to the middle and sat down.  It was baffling and frustrating, made even worse by the fact that KU answered with a 6 minute touchdown drive.
One good thing:  The second drive was the exact opposite.  The line opened up huge holes for Hubert, Collin had the greatest option read of his career on a super delayed pitch to Hubert, and we scored on one of the prettiest misdirection plays I've ever seen. 
Defense.  The defense looked even sleepier.  They survived by the skin of their teeth.  Do you realize how close Pierson was to busting out for a 60 yard TD run on KU's first drive?  Randall Evans had to grab on to the back of his shirt to get him to slow down.  If he had been wearing Tre Walker's belly shirt, that would've been a huge play. 
One good thing:  Ryan Mueller.  He's my greatest prediction.   
Special Teams.  And then, of course, there was special teams, who allowed KU to convert on a fake punt and fake field goal in the same drive.  One good thing - it's a pretty good sign that you've intimidated your opponent something fierce if they feel desperate enough to call two fakes in the first quarter.  So there's that. 

Second Quarter

 Hubert only carried the ball 10 times, but ended with over 100 yards on the day

Offense. Collin has an interesting (maddening) habit of picking one quarter, early in the game, to go back to his overthrowing ways.  It wasn't every throw in the quarter, just enough to make you really feel sick about the missed opportunities.  When he can throw a beauty like the TD to Lockett, it really makes you crazy to see him miss Tramaine wide open in the flat.  Another missed opportunity that makes you crazy?  Not being able to score from the 5 with 16 seconds left in the half.  I used to watch other teams struggle with these plays and feel bad for them because they don't have our Coach.  Oops.
One good thing:  The triumphant return of Angelo Pease.  Angelo had spectacular vision and for the first time ever - patience!  To wait for his blocks!  And it paid off!  Angelo definitely gets the most improved award and I hope it's a sign of things to come.
Defense. The defense was still sleepy this quarter, but woke up enough to at least prevent a touchdown.  Javonta Boyd got the first sack of the game, with 6 minutes left in the half.  Arthur Brown had 1 tackle in the first half.  I think that just about paints the picture for you 
One good thing:  Nigel Malone.  If he'd trusted his speed just a teensy bit more and run straight, he would've had his first touchdown of the season.  We did our best to squander his momentum, but I think that interception will really help his confidence.

Third Quarter

A sign of things to come

Offense.  The offense couldn't be stopped in the third quarter.  Hubert scored twice, Collin scored, Travis Tannahill scored and even Harper caught a pass.  Though not for a touchdown of course.  That would just be crazy talk.  When the third quarter finally ended, the score was 49-16 and the back-ups were putting on their helmets.
Defense.  Whatever was said in the locker room at halftime, the defense reacted to it.  Maybe it was the fact that Pierson stayed in the locker room with an injury.  Maybe it was the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.  Whatever happened, the results were spectacular.  Opening KU drive - ends in a sack by Jarell Childs.  Second KU drive - Bubba Chapman interception in the red zone.  Third drive - fumble on the kick-off.  Fourth drive - Ty Zimmerman interception.  Fifth drive - ends in a sack by Meshak Williams.  Sixth drive - fumble recovered by Ryan Mueller.  Complete domination.
Dirty room: Um.  The safety.  Yep.  Safeties are pretty embarrassing.

Fourth Quarter

 Regardless of the beginning, the fourth quarter always looks the same

Offense. Sams ran the offense.  He didn't score but it didn't make me as happy as last time.  I think it's because I expect Sams to improve, and he appears to be taking a few steps back.  If you can score against Miami, you should be able to score against KU.  Also, Collin has improved dramatically in his running game with his patience and vision and Sams is just a puppy finally let off the leash.  Next year is going to look very different.
Defense. Arthur played through to the last snap.  Do we really lack that much depth on defense that the first string has to stay in?  I don't like it. 
Dirty room: Most of the fans succumbed to the cold and left the game early in the 4th quarter.  Shame on you, fans. I stayed in my nice warm sports bar until the bitter end. 

Next week - Iowa State.  DANGER-DANGER-DANGER.  Preview up on Friday.  Happy Farmageddon week!