The Kansas State Wildcats won convincingly in Morgantown. With tonight’s win, Kansas State advances their record to 6 -1 for the first time since 2014.
Avery Johnson’s Night to Shine.
This week’s win was the next step in Avery Johnson’s maturation as a quarterback. West Virginia’s game plan was quite simple. They attempted to make Avery Johnson win the game. They didn’t count on him rising to the occasion.
West Virginia’s defensive line was stout against the run. With six minutes left in the game, DJ Giddens only had 32 yards on 17 carries. He managed to up his average up with a subsequent seven-yard run and then an 18-yard touchdown run. However, for most of the game, West Virginia held Giddens in check. They are the first team to do that all year.
The first quarter was a slug fest dominated by the defense until about 40 seconds were left in the quarter. The Wildcats defense had forced their second punt of the quarter. On the first play of the drive, Johnson executed an excellent play action fake and hit Jadon Jackson up the sideline for a 24-yard gain. Then, on the very next play, Jackson releases up the seam and Avery Johnson executes another play action, hitting Jackson in stride who sprinted into the end zone for a 60-yard touchdown play.
Avery Johnson was forced to step up in a big way this evening. He was patient. Johnson was confident and accurate with his throws. He made excellent decisions. Most importantly, Johnson found a way to consistently convert third downs on the strength of his arm.
You could tell that Johnson’s injury from last week still hampered him a bit. Yet, that didn’t stop him from skillfully navigating the pocket throughout the game, connecting on 19 of 29 passes for 298 yards and three touchdowns
Remarkably, Avery Johnson did not log one rushing yard the whole game. This was in part due to the excellent pass protection he enjoyed throughout the game. There were times that he would have to subtly move around the pocket, or evade a sack, but he never pulled it down and ran. He was always looking down field for a receiver.
Avery Johnson connected with nine receivers including both of his running backs as well as both of his tight ends. His excellent play was aided by the defense.
Defense Defense Defense.
The first half of the game was largely dominated by Wildcats and Mountaineers defense. While West Virginia succeeded in stifling the Wildcat rushing attack, Kansas State succeeding in smothering West Virginia until about six minutes was left in the half. West Virginia and Kansas State’s defenses held their opponents to a mere ten points. Wildcat Marques Sigle made up the difference in the score with a pick six to open up the second quarter.
Garrett Green started the first half of the game for West Virginia. He gamely ran for 89 yards on 11 carries in the first half. He gained most of those yards whilst playing thru injuries. Usually, two or three Wildcats would hit him every single play. Kansas State’s pressure affected him so much he threw two interceptions.
West Virginia was forced to start Nicco Marchiol in the second half. He didn’t have a chance against the seasoned Wildcats. Marchiol was consistently pressured and hit. The Mountaineer quarterback suffered two sacks and only managed to throw for 58 yards the rest of the game.
Led by Marques Sigle, the Wildcats defense was in fine form. Sigle managed to collect nine tackles to go with his pick six.
The Key Play in the Game.
The Wildcats squandered several opportunities to finish drives in the first half. Avery Johnson’s next big test in the game was how he would start the third quarter. He led the offense on a 14-play touchdown drive to open the second half.
During the drive, Kansas State faced a 4th and 5 on West Virginia’s 40-yard line. This was the key play in the game. The score is 17-10. If Kansas State fails to convert, West Virginia starts with prime field position and newfound momentum.
Kansas State lined up in ten personnel with one running back and four wide receivers. Three of the receivers aligned to the field side, with one receiver on the boundary. Avery Johnson took the snap in the gun and did a three step drop. At the end of his drop a defensive lineman was bearing down on him and had wrapped him up. Johnson somehow spun out of the would be sack and stepped up and delivered the ball to Ty Bowman for an 11-yard gain and the first down.
This play almost ended in disaster. Johnson’s elusive persistence kept the play alive. Ty Bowman was the boundary receiver. His quick thinking helped convert the down. Bowman had finished his route, yet, when he saw his quarterback in trouble, he mirrored Johnson’s movement showing him his number for the easy completion once Johnson came free.
Kansas State’s went on to add three more touchdowns to their expanding lead, while holding West Virginia to a late game touchdown and two-point conversion. On to the Sunflower Showdown is next week!
