After the debacle in Provo last week, the Kansas State Wildcats bounce back big at home. The BYU game is a game every fan wants to forget. However, last Saturday’s game looms large in the minds of the players and the coaching staff. Lack of execution, poor attention to detail and eight penalties led to an extremely avoidable loss. This week, the Wildcats let the world know that the debacle at BYU is a fluke.
The Recap
With Oklahoma State deferring to the second half, Kansas State knew they needed to start fast. Starting fast meant executing a fourteen-play touchdown drive, then holding the Pokes to a mere field goal on OSU’s first offensive possession. Unfortunately, the game actually slowed down for both teams. Neither team accomplished much until the Pokes executed a flea flicker 85-yard touchdown play early in the second quarter. Avery Johnson’s response was to overthrow a wide-open DJ Giddens for his first and only interception of the game.
After Johnson’s preventable interception, the feeling of dread started to creep in. Simple avoidable mistakes cost KSU to lose last week. Would that happen this week as well?
After only giving up a field goal on a short field, Kansas State executed a two-play touchdown drive. The Wildcats took the lead and never relinquished it.
Avery Johnson grew up this week. He threw an interception, shrugged it off and threw three touchdown passes and ran for another. Visibly frustrated last week after mistakes, this week he quickly flushed it and led his team to victory.
Defensive Keys to Victory
The Wildcats dominated the line of scrimmage on offense and defense. Joe Klanderman, the Wildcats defensive coordinator, focused on stopping the run only holding Ollie Gordon II to 76 yards. Most of Gordon’s yards came in the first quarter. As the game progressed, every time Oklahoma State attempted to return to the run game, the Kansas State defense was there to meet them.
After stuffing the run, the Wildcats began pressuring Alan Bowman while playing man coverage on the back end. Late in the second quarter, the pressure made the Cowboy’s center so nervous he executed a poor snap. Alan Bowman bumbled with the ball and Wildcat Colby McCalister recovered it.
In the second half, the Wildcat defense turned the heat up, forcing a three and out to begin the third quarter. The next time the Pokes offense took the field, Marquez Sigle picked off the Cowboy’s quarterback. Then Jacob Parrish picked off Alan Bowman in the end-zone late in the third quarter. The defense smothered the Pokes offense in the second half, only allowing one touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
Offensive keys to Victory
The offensive line paved the way for DJ Giddens to have a career day rushing. He rushed for 187 yards and a touchdown on fifteen caries. The line blocked well for Avery Johnson, particularly in the second half, allowing him to rush five times for sixty yards and to throw for 259 yards. Finally, the route concepts dialed up by the offensive coordinator took advantage of the Pokes defense. The only criticism of the offense is the receivers had too many critical drops. This is bad news for the rest of the Big 12 because the Wildcats left at least three touchdowns on the field today.
Avery Johnson grew up today. He showed resilience. He showed grit. Despite an embarrassing performance in Provo last week, he showed that he learned from his mistakes this week. Even after overthrowing DJ Giddens, Johnson settled down and was on target the rest of the day.
Avery Johnson also showed that he can sit, read and pick a part a defense. Today, his legs were an afterthought. He was looking to deliver the ball down field. Only after the play broke down would he take off. He only pulled the ball down once on an RPO today. On his last touchdown he stepped back, looked for a receiver, rolled out of trouble, trotted to the line of scrimmage still looking down field, and then burst into full speed for thirteen yards and a touchdown.
Avery Johnson’s ability to get to full speed quickly is devastating. When he settles down, Johnson’s accuracy is second to none. Avery Johnson is still young. He is still learning. However, like a young Anakin Skywalker, he is overflowing with talent. It bleeds out of him…and like Anakin Skywalker, he will need to learn to harness it and control his talent if he is to achieve true greatness. Thankfully he has a great team and coaching staff around him who will continue to help him grow.
