Freeman makes K-State defense suffer
L OUISVILLE, Ky. | Ignore the score and final stats. They mask an inconvenient truth about Ron Prince’s third Kansas State football team.
The Wildcats, 38-29 losers Wednesday night to Louisville, are in trouble this season because their offense can’t sustain much of anything primarily because franchise quarterback Josh Freeman’s development has stalled.
Facing legitimate competition and a steady pass rush for the first time this season, Freeman and the Wildcats lost the rhythm that led to 69 points against Montana State. K-State’s offense had no rhythm Wednesday night.
Freeman connected with his receivers on several big plays, including 45- and 59-yard scoring strikes to Brandon Banks and a 52-yard score to tight end Jeron Mastrud. Those plays propelled Freeman to a 313-yard, three-TD night on ESPN2.
But they didn’t in any way make the Wildcats, 2-1, competitive. You could argue they did the reverse.
K-State’s bipolar offense created an unhealthy, constant mania for its defense. K-State’s longest scoring drive lasted one minute, 50 seconds. Deon Murphy uncorked an improbable 86-yard punt return early in the third quarter. He caught the ball on the K-State 13, retreated to his own 5 before dashing through the heart of Louisville’s coverage unit. The return took all of 15 seconds.
My point is Kansas State left its defense on the field almost the entire game.
When Freeman couldn’t hook up with one of his receivers for a fluke touchdown, the Wildcats’ offense didn’t move or possess the ball. Freeman tossed two horrible interceptions. On one, poor footwork caused him to throw high, and a Cardinals defender snagged a relatively easy interception off a deflection. Freeman’s other INT was simply a misread of the defense while he was rolling out of the pocket.
Quick scores and turnovers put K-State’s defense on the field for 41 minutes, 26 seconds. In the second half, the unit snapped. Louisville gashed the Wildcats’ defenders on the ground and through the air. If you tuned in late and were unaware of the unit’s overuse, K-State’s defense looked embarrassing.
The Cardinals scored 24 points and rushed for 212 yards after the break. Two Louisville runners went for more than 100 yards, tailback Vic Anderson (176 yards on 18 carries) and plodding fullback Brock Bolen (104 on 23). Louisville rolled up 31 first downs and 577 yards of offense.
Blame K-State’s offense. The unit is supposed to be the strength of this team. Freeman labeled himself the best quarterback in the Big 12, the league with the best collection of QB talent in the country.
You gotta walk the talk. Freeman didn’t Wednesday night. The Wildcats can’t win unless he’s really, really good — Chase Daniel good. Freeman doesn’t have Daniel’s supporting cast, although undersized Brandon Banks is a real playmaker and Deon Murphy has big-play capability.
Freeman came into Wednesday’s contest having completed 75 percent of his passes and throwing five TDs and zero interceptions. Freeman throws a great ball when he’s dry. Great quarterbacks throw accurately with a hand in their face and linemen hanging on their legs.
Freeman’s mechanics break down under duress and under anticipated duress.
And K-State’s play-calling breaks down under duress, too.
After Freeman underthrew a receiver flying wide open down the middle of the field, K-State’s pass patterns seemed to get more and more conservative. The Wildcats momentarily quit attacking downfield. Freeman threw short on first down, the Wildcats ran on second down, collapsed on third down and punted on fourth.
That lapse gave Louisville its opportunity to balloon its advantage.
Of course it would be nice if K-State had the scent of a running game (30 yards on 12 carries). But that’s not likely to happen this season. The Wildcats don’t have an incredible talent at running back or an overpowering offensive line.
Nope. This whole thing rides on Freeman’s development. He’s Prince’s best recruit, and Freeman plays the game’s most important position. He has to carry the Wildcats. He has to stand firm in the pocket and deliver the ball on third down.
He completed 22 of 42 passes Wednesday. That’s unacceptable. He needs to be around 65 percent the rest of the season or it’s going to be a very long year.
To reach Jason Whitlock, call 816-234-4869 or send e-mail to jwhitlock@kcstar.com. For previous columns, go to KansasCity.com.
