Game report: No. 25 Kansas State 58, UTEP 28
First quarter
Key play: K-State blocked UTEP’s first punt attempt to setup an easy field goal for Matthew McCrane.
Key stat: UTEP totaled 9 yards of offense.
Second quarter
Key play: Tyler Lockett returned a punt 58 yards for a touchdown and gave K-State a 24-0 lead.
Key stat: UTEP gained one first down.
Third quarter
Key play: DeMarcus Robinson scored a touchdown on a 40-yard run to give K-State a 45-7 lead.
Key stat: UTEP scored its first points on a touchdown pass from Jameill Showers to Ian Hamilton.
Fourth quarter
Key play: Joe Hubener scored on a 2-yard run to give K-State a 58-14 lead.
Key stat: UTEP had 126 yards.
Player of the game: Tyler Lockett. The K-State senior had 143 yards and a touchdown as a returner on top of 84 yards as a receiver.
Reason to hope: In consecutive games, K-State’s defense has completely overwhelmed rushing attacks that were averaging more than 300 yards on the ground.
Reason to mope: Starting cornerback Morgan Burns didn’t play while recovering from a groin injury suffered against Auburn. Starting defensive tackle Valentino Coleman was also sidelined for this game.
Looking ahead: Texas Tech needed a fourth-quarter rally to beat UTEP. K-State blew UTEP away. The Wildcats will be favored when the Red Raiders visit Manhattan next week.
Report card
A | Offense | K-State didn’t have to do much in this area with its defense and special teams playing so well, but it produced at a high level. Charles Jones, who ran for 76 yards and three touchdowns on 12 attempts, might have played his best game. |
A+ | Defense | UTEP had no chance against K-State’s defensive line. The Wildcats overpowered the Miners all game, holding a rushing attack that was averaging 314 yards to 59. |
A+ | Special teams | Tyler Lockett was a terror on punt returns, and Matthew McCrane connected on all his kicks. You couldn’t ask for more. |
A | Coaching | Bill Snyder had the Wildcats ready to play the week after an emotional loss. That isn’t always easy to do. |
This story was originally published September 27, 2014 at 5:29 PM with the headline "Game report: No. 25 Kansas State 58, UTEP 28."