Army embarrassed KSU last night. The score does not tell the story. The time in possession does. With five minutes left in the game, KSU ran only 4 offensive plays in the whole 2nd half. Army wanted the win. They found a way to get it.
Special Teams Ups and Downs.
Special teams have been problematic to start the season. However, last night they started off as a bright spot. KSU’s Bryce Noernberg returned the first kick off 44 yards. In the third quarter, Army executed a grueling sixteen play touchdown drive. Then, Bryce Noernberg struck again. This time he ran it back 99 yards for a touchdown.
Unfortunately, KSU’s special teams’ bright spots were marred by a nasty trick play. After executing another grueling scoring drive, the Army kicker squib kicked the ball directly at a KSU player. The ball bounced off the Wildcat and into the arms of Army. Once again, Army held onto the ball for another eight minutes until they scored their gaming winning touchdown.
Wildcat Coaches Are Outmatched.
For the third week in a row, the Wildcats have been out coached. At the start of the game, Kansas State drove the ball down to the Army’s 15-yard line. It was third and one. Avery Johnson lined up under center in the offset I formation. The play call was a basic run play up the A gap. The running back was tackled a yard behind the line of scrimmage.
Army is built to stop the run. KSU telegraphed the play. Additionally, it took too long for the play to develop. Sitting at fourth and two, the Wildcats opted to kick the field goal rather than attempt to go for two.
Coach Matt Wells is struggling to find a rhythm in his play calling. He fails to establish the run. Often his play calling in the run game is predictable. He seems to excel in the passing game. His challenge moving forward is figuring out how to maximize Kansas State’s offensive talent overall. The Wildcats are built to be a balanced offensive team, yet Well’s is still struggling to find the team’s balance in his play calling.
Coach Joe Klanderman lacks the talent on defense he has enjoyed over the last few years. They have been experimenting with four-man fronts over the last couple of weeks with mixed results. However, despite that, Kansas State’s defensive issues are a direct result of poor coverage. Defensive backs are routinely caught out of position. They cheat on their technique. Early in the third quarter, Army completed a 52-yard play to their wide receiver because the safety cheated up into the box and the corner stayed in the flat. This is just one example of the undisciplined play by the defense.
The defense also suffered from poor pursuit angles. Multiple times linebackers and defensive ends would get into the back field, but would fail to break down or take the correct angle to track down Army’s running quarterback. Army’s quarterback burned the Wildcats up for 124 yards on the ground.
The defensive coordinator must do a better job of preparing his players to play. The team’s lack of disciplined play is a direct reflection of the coaching staff failing to hold the players accountable in practice. There is no excuse for Kansas State’s superior talent to play with such a lack of discipline on defense.
Avery Johnson is Inconsistent.
Kansas State’s signal caller is extremely talented. However, his inconsistent play is a direct result of a lack of disciplined technique. When he is faced with adversity in the pocket, he forgets his fundamentals and makes damaging mistakes. He threw multiple errant balls, one which likely cost the game.
College football players are now paid for their name, image and likeness. They are essentially paid to represent the university. Quarterbacks are paid to lead their team. Avery Johnson can be a loud leader in the locker-room and in the huddle. However, until he works on mastering his footwork, his reads, and his throwing technique, we will continue to see errant throws like the one that ended the game as a tipped interception. Johnson is not playing up to his talent and abilities.
Avery Johnson shows signs of brilliance. He knows where and how to place a ball. When Johnson was on during the last drive, the receivers dropped three balls in a row. Give Army some credit for tackling the players at the point of the catch, but when the game is on the line, the receivers must make the catch, especially when Johnson gives it to you on a silver platter.
The Future.
Kansas State will be doing some serious soul searching this week. Their poor play is a direct reflection of their poor preparation and lack of discipline. Coaches coach and players play. Neither are doing a great job at Kansas State.
