Game report: No. 5 Auburn 20, No. 20 Kansas State 14
First quarter
Key play: An interception by Auburn’s Jonathan Jones in the end zone hit K-State wide receiver Tyler Lockett square in his chest and would’ve given the Wildcats a 7-3 lead.
Key stat: Two turnovers for Kansas State – a fumble by Jake Waters deep in K-State territory that set up Auburn’s lone score and an interception by Waters in Auburn’s end zone.
Second quarter
Key play: Auburn’s Nick Marshall found Ricardo Louis for a 40-yard touchdown pass with 1:34 left, giving the Tigers a 10-7 lead.
Key stat: Negative-12, as in the number of yards Waters lost on a fumble deep in Auburn territory, seemingly putting K-State kicker Jack Cantele out of range. Cantele missed a 42-yard field-goal attempt as time expired.
Third quarter
Key play: Cantele missed a 22-yard field goal with 4:44 left that would’ve tied the score — his third missed field goal of the game.
Key stat: Auburn picked up four first downs, all in the final 4 minutes of the third quarter, on a drive that led to a 9-yard touchdown pass from Marshall to D’haquille Williams at the start of the fourth quarter.
Fourth quarter
Key play: Marshall found Williams for a 39-yard pass on third and 9 with 2:06 left that sealed the win for Auburn.
Key stat: Auburn had the ball for 10:27 of the fourth quarter.
Player of the game: Kansas State wide receiver Curry Sexton, who finished with a career-high 11 catches for 121 yards.
Kellis Robinett, krobinett@kcstar.com
Report card
D | Offense | K-State went two of five in the red zone after coming into the game 12 of 12, with 10 touchdowns. The Wildcats’ 40 rushing yards were also a season low. |
B | Defense | The Wildcats did everything they needed to win the game, though a lack of presence on the interior defensive line hurt as Auburn continually gashed K-State with big runs up the gut in the second half. |
D | Special teams | Cantele’s three missed field goals were offset only by Tyler Lockett’s 71 yards on three punt returns. |
B+ | Coaching | K-State’s coaching staff had a well-prepared game plan. But the Wildcats just couldn’t execute. |
This story was originally published September 19, 2014 at 11:37 AM with the headline "Game report: No. 5 Auburn 20, No. 20 Kansas State 14."