MANHATTAN, Kan. | All season, Kansas State won football games in typical Bill Snyder fashion.By limiting turnovers, running the ball hard and taking advantage of opponents’ mistakes, the Wildcats ascended to the top of the Big 12 North standings.But on Saturday at Bill Snyder Family Stadium, Missouri used that winning formula — aside from passing for big yardage instead of running — against them in a 38-12 victory.The loss dropped K-State to 6-5 overall and 4-3 in the Big 12 heading into its season finale next Saturday at Nebraska. The Wildcats need a win to clinch the Big 12 North title and become bowl eligible. A loss would give the division title to the Huskers.K-State committed three turnovers, ran for just 112 yards in 43 attempts and scored no touchdowns in five trips inside the MU 20. The Wildcats’ only points came from Josh Cherry, who made all four of his field-goal attempts. Against a Missouri squad that committed no turnovers, gained 433 yards and swung the game in its favor with big plays, it wasn’t nearly enough.“We didn’t execute,” K-State senior quarterback Grant Gregory said. “They made good stops and we had to settle for field goals. Josh did a good job kicking field goals, but you can’t get down there five times and come away with 12 points.”A few touchdowns would have helped, but erasing two fumbles might have done more.K-State’s first giveaway came on the second play of the second quarter. The score was tied at 3-3, and wide receiver Brandon Banks was within a half-yard of scoring the go-ahead touchdown. He extended the ball toward the goal line but lost control and watched helplessly as it rolled out of the end zone for a touchback.Instead of a 10-3 lead, the Wildcats fell behind by the same score moments later when Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert hit Danario Alexander for a 54-yard touchdown.What was most painful for K-State, though, were two other gaffes that led to that score. John Houlik committed a pass interference penalty that kept Missouri’s drive alive on the third-down play before the touchdown, and safety Tysyn Hartman was in position to intercept the pass.They were mistakes K-State has avoided throughout the conference season, and led to a crucial 14-point swing.“For things like that to happen,” said Banks, who caught eight passes for 128 yards, “that’s very unusual.”It was tough for the Wildcats to watch Gabbert and Alexander pick them apart, too. Gabbert completed 20 of 27 passes for 298 yards and three touchdowns. He connected with Alexander 10 times for 200 yards and all three scores.The second came on Missouri’s final play of the first half and gave the Tigers a 17-6 lead. The third came on their final play of the third quarter, when K-State had cut the lead to 17-12. Alexander turned a pass over the middle of the field into an 80-yard catch-and-run.K-State’s Daniel Thomas, who ran for a below-average 79 yards in 23 carries against a Missouri defense designed to stop him, fumbled on the ensuing drive and the game was never close again.Combined with K-State’s red-zone inadequacies, it was a puzzling afternoon for everyone wearing the home colors.“I don’t know what really happened to us, to tell you the truth,” wide receiver Lamark Brown said. “We weren’t in sync, we weren’t making plays we were supposed to make. We had opportunities we didn’t take advantage of.”Snyder said he reminded his players how they can redeem themselves.“They’re the luckiest group of 120 guys that exist in the Big 12 Conference,” Snyder said. “To go out and get it handed to you like you did today and still have an opportunity to win a North Division title and still have the opportunity to go to a bowl game, most teams can’t play and coach the way we did today and still control their own destiny.”

Posted on Sat, Nov. 14, 2009 10:15 PM

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Lack of execution costs K-State in 38-12 loss to Missouri

By KELLIS ROBINETT

The Kansas City Star

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MANHATTAN, Kan. | All season, Kansas State won football games in typical Bill Snyder fashion.

By limiting turnovers, running the ball hard and taking advantage of opponents’ mistakes, the Wildcats ascended to the top of the Big 12 North standings.

But on Saturday at Bill Snyder Family Stadium, Missouri used that winning formula — aside from passing for big yardage instead of running — against them in a 38-12 victory.

The loss dropped K-State to 6-5 overall and 4-3 in the Big 12 heading into its season finale next Saturday at Nebraska. The Wildcats need a win to clinch the Big 12 North title and become bowl eligible. A loss would give the division title to the Huskers.

K-State committed three turnovers, ran for just 112 yards in 43 attempts and scored no touchdowns in five trips inside the MU 20. The Wildcats’ only points came from Josh Cherry, who made all four of his field-goal attempts.

Against a Missouri squad that committed no turnovers, gained 433 yards and swung the game in its favor with big plays, it wasn’t nearly enough.

“We didn’t execute,” K-State senior quarterback Grant Gregory said. “They made good stops and we had to settle for field goals. Josh did a good job kicking field goals, but you can’t get down there five times and come away with 12 points.”

A few touchdowns would have helped, but erasing two fumbles might have done more.

K-State’s first giveaway came on the second play of the second quarter. The score was tied at 3-3, and wide receiver Brandon Banks was within a half-yard of scoring the go-ahead touchdown. He extended the ball toward the goal line but lost control and watched helplessly as it rolled out of the end zone for a touchback.

Instead of a 10-3 lead, the Wildcats fell behind by the same score moments later when Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert hit Danario Alexander for a 54-yard touchdown.

What was most painful for K-State, though, were two other gaffes that led to that score. John Houlik committed a pass interference penalty that kept Missouri’s drive alive on the third-down play before the touchdown, and safety Tysyn Hartman was in position to intercept the pass.

They were mistakes K-State has avoided throughout the conference season, and led to a crucial 14-point swing.

“For things like that to happen,” said Banks, who caught eight passes for 128 yards, “that’s very unusual.”

It was tough for the Wildcats to watch Gabbert and Alexander pick them apart, too. Gabbert completed 20 of 27 passes for 298 yards and three touchdowns. He connected with Alexander 10 times for 200 yards and all three scores.

The second came on Missouri’s final play of the first half and gave the Tigers a 17-6 lead. The third came on their final play of the third quarter, when K-State had cut the lead to 17-12. Alexander turned a pass over the middle of the field into an 80-yard catch-and-run.

K-State’s Daniel Thomas, who ran for a below-average 79 yards in 23 carries against a Missouri defense designed to stop him, fumbled on the ensuing drive and the game was never close again.

Combined with K-State’s red-zone inadequacies, it was a puzzling afternoon for everyone wearing the home colors.

“I don’t know what really happened to us, to tell you the truth,” wide receiver Lamark Brown said. “We weren’t in sync, we weren’t making plays we were supposed to make. We had opportunities we didn’t take advantage of.”

Snyder said he reminded his players how they can redeem themselves.

“They’re the luckiest group of 120 guys that exist in the Big 12 Conference,” Snyder said. “To go out and get it handed to you like you did today and still have an opportunity to win a North Division title and still have the opportunity to go to a bowl game, most teams can’t play and coach the way we did today and still control their own destiny.”

Posted on Sat, Nov. 14, 2009 10:15 PM

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