Stories about Kansas State
What’s Scary About Kansas State? 34 comments
Nebraska fans have a few reasons to be anxious about the Husker's Big 12 opener this year against the Kansas State Wildcats. With Bill Snyder at the helm, KSU is always prepared to the highest of their abilities. Snyder has always been able to get the most out of his players by finding a way to fit his roster into a system that best suits their skills and experience. Currently, that system is built around one of the best returning running backs in the Big 12, Daniel Thomas. With another year under his belt in this offensive system and style of running attack, things are lining up for Thomas to be a dangerous weapon against even some of the best run defenses in the conference.
Should Kansas State be the North Favorite? 12 comments
We've reached the point in the offseason where we as NU fans really begin to explore the competition. We know our team about as well as we're going to before August, so what about the other teams Nebraska will face? We anxiously await the college football magazines, like Phil Steele's, to give us the skinny and some predictions. In the meantime, we have lesser sources to rely on - like student newspapers for example.
Kansas State Post-Mortem 3 comments
As the last seconds of the game ticked away against the Wildcats, I looked at the field and counted the Seniors that had impacted the game with their skill and determination on Senior Day. I figure that in the three games left, these thirteen guys will not be looking to pad their stats and improve their draft status, or hope of becoming a rookie free agent, or try to win trophies, or even grasp onto the glory of playing football at the highest level they will ever experience for themselves. These players did the things they did to defeat this team, this week, and the next team will be no different. Most of the season has passed, and some of the same problems and mistakes are still there, but the players and coaches have made the adjustments and changes required that made the last game of 2009 in Memorial Stadium memorable.
Senior Night Goes Right 15 comments
It was by no means a sure thing. When Kansas State opened with a field goal drive you were concerned. When Zac Lee missed a wide open Mike McNeil in the end zone, you were aggravated. When Lee threw an interception with NU in easy field goal distance and up just one score, you were downright rattled. Then the Huskers got tough and turned it around. NU senior safety Larry Asante picked off a pass and KSU's Josh Cherry missed a 51-yard field goal attempt to preserve Nebraska's 10-3 halftime lead. Then Nebraska really turned it on.
Talking With the Enemy: Q&A with a KSU Blog 2 comments
Those of you who read this blog regularly know that we try to be fairly even handed and fair when it comes to our discussion of Husker opponents. Sure, sometimes it gets a little chippy. But, for the most part that is all done in good fun. But, for a few reasons I have a certain amount of bile built up when it comes to Kansas State. I won't go in to the details at this point, but let's just say I don't like 'em. So, staying rational about them has been a bit tough at times. Thankfully, I found a way to deal with this. God knows why, but I sort of befriended a fella who goes by the handle of "TB" and operates a blog called "Bring On th Cats". I suspect you've seen it. If not, give them a look.
My occational chats with TB have made my look at KSU a bit more reasonable. Still don't like 'em, but I can be reasonable about it. So, the least I can do is share the wealth, right? To that end, I offer the following Q&A with TB, as a way for you to hear about the Cats from somebody who covers them with passion.
With a title on the line, can Nebraska be perfect? 11 comments
So here we are. One game to separate them all...or at least Nebraska and Kansas State. If Nebraska wins, they get the North title in an ugly year, credit for rebounding from some October setbacks for the second consecutive year, and more prized momentum in the race to become a perennial North division front-runner.
If Kansas State wins they get the North title in an ugly year, even more momentum considering nobody foresaw a division title, and so many (deserved) Bill Snyder is a magic-man pieces that it will haunt Nebraska fans through the spring.
The crazy thing is, the reason both teams are here now facing a de facto championship game largely comes down to how things broke against Iowa State.
Nebraska and Kansas State Go Back to the Future 4 comments
From 1991 to 2000 the Big 8 champion or Big 12 North champion was always either Nebraska or Kansas State. That might be giving the Wildcats too much credit as their share of that run was just a pair of division titles in 1998 and 2000. Nevertheless both the schools, the faces (Bill Snyder, Tom Osborne, Ron Brown), and even the styles of play are reminiscient of what we saw in the 1990's.
High Stakes for Nebraska Versus Kansas State 11 comments
By now every fan knows that the winner of the NU-KSU matchup this week is the Big 12 North champion and will likely face the Texas Longhorns who need a win in just one of their two remaining games (or an Oklahoma State loss) to win the Big 12 South. Since winning the division is the primary regular season goal for every team in the conference, that makes the game a high stakes contest. But it's not the only reason the stakes are high.
Is Kansas State on the Upswing? 10 comments
KSU fans probably hold Bill Snyder in similar esteem as Husker fans hold Tom Osborne. He’s simply the best coach many of them have seen leading their team and perhaps the best they can reasonably expect they will ever see. Seeing their man return had to be a heart-warming experience. And yet, is it fair to think lightning will strike twice? More specifically, will 2009 be the year that the Wildcats become one of the better teams in the Big 12 North?
Sunday Morning Observations from the KSU Game 10 comments
Here are a few observations from yesterday's Husker win over Kansas State. These coffee-fueled musing are kind of all over the map, but are by no means all inclusive. So feel free to offer your own thoughts in the comments if you like.
Ganz Leads Huskers Past Wildcats 1 comment
Three years ago, one was a hotly-recruited prospect and the other was a plan B after thought. Recruiting hype gave way to game day reality Saturday as once overlooked Joe Ganz accounted for 365 yards and 4 touchdowns while much ballyhooed and possibly NFL-bound Josh Freeman was out of the game in the third quarter. Ganz led Nebraska past Kansas State, 56-28 in a game that really wasn't even as competitive as the score implied.
Q&A With A KSU Blogger 1 comment
Honestly, there isn't a whole lot of fan interest in Saturday's game with Kansas State. Just consider the fact that the game is available only on a pay-per-view basis. So, to try and rev things up a little bit, I reached out to a very fine KSU blog - Bring On The Cats - for a little Q&A on the game and the state of the KSU program. It was supposed to be a 5-question interview. But, I just couldn't contain myself. Thankfully, TB was willing to oblige my request for answers and information. Check it out.
Beware of Wounded Animals 0 comments
When you review the Nebraska-Kansas State match up on paper, it appears that the Huskers could likely have an upper hand. When you factor in the relative momentum of the two programs - NU rising, KSU struggling - it becomes even easier to possibly take Saturday's game for granted. At the same time, this season and recent history have demonstrated that anything can happen on any given Saturday. And, it is always wise to beware of a "wounded animals" like the Wildcats appear to be.
Wildcat Fans Rejoice in Ron Prince Removal 13 comments
Asked point blank in yesterday's press conference if he was resigning, Ron Prince said no. Sitting next to the guy who fired him, Athletic Director Bob Krause, he calmly explained that he was being let go due to the fact that they haven't competed for or won a Big 12 North Championship yet. “We are in a performance-based profession and have made this decision in the best long-term interest of both the university and its football program,� Krause said in a press release. “Our goal remains the same: to build a winning program that is positioned to consistently compete for championships. I appreciate the hard work and dedication that Coach Prince and his staff have put in over the last three seasons and wish him the very best for the future.�
KSU Makes it Rain on Dem JUCOS 18 comments
Let's be clear, I'm not saying that Ron Prince pays his recruits but do you have any guesses as to which school has the largest recruiting budget in the Big 12?
Not Texas.
Nope, Nebraska ranks second.
Over the last fiscal year your biggest spender in the Big 12 was Kansas State at $1.32 million (for all sports), a total that ranked 5th in the nation.
Seems like a lot for 18 JUCOs and Michael Beasley doesn't it?
Kansas State Breakdown: Dead End Ahead 9 comments
I've been calling all of the analysis in this series “breakdowns� but this is the first team where the name has a double meaning. The Wildcats look to have the most bleak future of any team that Nebraska will face this year. Ron Prince's reliance on JUCO transfers to patch this team up will cost Kansas State their long term stability – he's sacrificed the development of young talent to hold onto his job for a couple more years. The only way to make a dent in the Big 12 is if he somehow gets 5 or 6 great (not just good) players out of his JUCO frenzy.
Previewing Kansas State - Ask a Blogger 0 comments
Big Red Network continues to bring you wall-to-wall coverage of NU's 2008 opponents. This includes interviews with people who really know their teams - bloggers. We're asking our blogging brethren to get you in the good information and opinion that you won't find in papers or on web sites with a national focus.
Today, the emphasis is on the Kansas State Wildcats. We asked Bring On the Cats to bring on the good information, and they didn't disappoint. Here are their detailed answers to my five questions about KSU's 2008 outlook.
Opponent Previews 2008: Kansas State 0 comments
The Wildcats had a surprisingly potent offense in 2008, finishing 18th nationally in scoring. But like the Huskers, there was a fair amount of garbage points in that total. For example, KSU scored two TD's in the fourth quarter of their 73-31 loss to NU, and had late touchdowns in losses to Missouri (49-32) and Fresno State (45-29) with their starters in the game. They also added points late with their starters in blowout wins against Baylor (51-13) and Colorado (47-20).
Huskerkill: Chad May 8 comments
Former Kansas State quarterback Chad May put on a show in Memorial Stadium in 1993. May set a Big 8 record by throwing for 489 yards, but he also threw two costly interceptions that keyed NU touchdown drives that put the game out of reach in a 45-28 Husker victory.
KSU and Kicking 3 comments
This is now the third piece in less than two weeks about kicking. Not to be too obsessive about this part of the game, but I couldn't help thinking about kicking and Kansas State in particular since the Wildcats generated a lot of points last year out of the kicking game.
Big 12 Recruiting Roundup: Kansas State 1 comment
Like Colorado and Missouri, Kansas State earned a higher recruiting ranking than Nebraska from Rivals.com (#28 vs. NU's #30) and a lower ranking from Scout.com (#45 vs. NU's #21). The reason is a bit different than it was for Colorado or Missouri. The Huskers class was deeper than Colorado and Missouri's, which drove the higher ranking from Scout. KSU by contrast has the largest class in the Big 12, but Scout discounts junior college players by a greater degree than does Rivals. And KSU has A LOT of junior college players in their class.
Big 12 State of the Union: Kansas State 12 comments
Whenever I think of Kansas State and the emergence of their football program in the 1990's I often recall Ed Stewart's quote following the 1994 contest, “Nebraska is still Nebraska and Kansas State is still Kansas State�. Even though Nebraska would continue to dominate Kansas State for most of that decade, Kansas State was no longer the same laughingstock it had been in the 1980's.
After 73 Points, Plenty Can Be Said! 36 comments
When NU squared off against a team from the Sunflower state a week ago, the Husker defense yielded an unthinkable 76 points. It left me fairly speechless. Saturday's contest with another school in Kansas - the KSU Wildcats - brought a 70+ score again. This time, it was the Huskers rolling up huge points and yards, as they demolished KSU, 73-31. Suffice to say, the outcome Saturday left me with quite a bit to say about the game and the future at NU.
Huskers Give Fans Reason to Smile 23 comments
No one saw this coming. Sure a win over Kansas State seemed possible. Not likely, but possible. But 73 points? A 42-point margin of victory? Seven touchdown passes for Ganz? Three touchdown catches by Hardy?
HUSKER UP: Kansas State 8 comments
Yes, I know the best the team can finish is 6-6. And, it is hard to get fired up when the team is...well...pretty lousy right now. But, it is the final home game of the season. It's Senior Day. There is a salute to military and veterans. And, Kansas State is in town trying to bounce back from last week's loss to Iowa State. Did their fans bring the power towels? For these reasons, it is time to HUSKER UP.
The KSU Turnaround 10 comments
Most teams that have consistent success feel like they know why. While Kansas State is probably not as successful as they'd like to be just yet, they do appear poised to become bowl-eligible for the second straight year after a two year absence from bowl competition.
2007 Opponent Preview…Kansas State 29 comments
Kansas State exceeded most every expectation in 2006. After two years of failing to qualify for a bowl, the Wildcats not only made it to a bowl in their first year under Ron Prince but they became the first Big 12 North team to beat Texas in years. Now expectations are even higher.
KSU - No Longer a “Basketball School”? 3 comments
After one year at Kansas State, basketball coach Bob Huggins is leaving for West Virginia. I realize BRN is a football site and a Husker site. And that Huggins leaving has almost nothing to do with either. However, his leaving deflates the mental balloon many KSU fans had for their basketball program, and paints one anecdote of mine from football season in a very different color.
Quick Hits from K-State 2 comments
I've offered my first-person account of things from Saturday, and Steve has placed the game in the proper context. But, here are a few more random thoughts from the Husker win over KSU, as my mind gets switched back in to the "on" position.
Observations from Field Level in Manhattan 3 comments
I know it might be just a bit later than when I usually offer my post-game thoughts. You'll have to forgive me as my wife and I headed to Manhattan, KS for the game. And, well, today has sort of been spent...recovering. Anyway, being at the game yielded an in-person perspective that differs from what I get when watching on TV. While most of my analysis still hinges on re-watching the game, here's what I saw Saturday night.
Another Step Taken 3 comments
NU Athletic Director Steve Pederson laid out his expectations for a Nebraska head coach. The team must be playing for or gaining on the national championship. Most college football pundits around the country would say the Huskers will not be playing for the national championship this season. But can anyone argue that it is further away today than it was at the end of the 2003 season?
With a 21-3 victory in Manhattan Saturday, the Huskers ended a streak of road futility against the Wildcats that went back to 1998. The win comes just a week after the Huskers ended a two-game winless streak in Ames, Iowa to the Cyclones. The win also comes after a season where the Huskers were a LeKevin Smith fumble away from winning the Big XII North. With the Missouri loss to the Aggies in College Station, Nebraska now has sole possession of first place in the Big XII North. It's about time.
Game Day Pocket Guide for Kansas State 0 comments
Continuing the fine tradition we established oh...three weeks ago.... we present to you the official Game Day Pocket Guide for this week's Kansas State game.
Everything you need to be a well-educated fan is contained within its two super-condensed pages. Everything that is, except fashion advice on how to dress for the game. (Something this guy knows a thing or two about.)
So print one for yourself, fold it and put it in your pocket on Saturday. Then print one for your buddy.
Husker Fans’ Feelings About Freeman 8 comments
Nebraska will be facing Kansas State's freshman quarterback Josh Freeman on Saturday, noteworthy because of choice to go to KSU after already verbally committing to NU. Freeman's method of communicating that choice – via text message – also stands out. So now, a year later, how do Husker fans feel about facing Freeman?
Q&A with a Kansas State Blogger 3 comments
Thomas Young has a great Kansas State football blog over at ksucollegefootball.blogspot.com and graciously agreed to answer a few of our questions.
Read on for a KSU fan's perspective on Coach Prince, their expectations for this season, and the importance of the Nebraska game.
Sizing Up Kansas State 16 comments
With a win over Oklahoma State, K-State went from complete pushover to possible problem. The early line puts the Huskers as eleven point favorites, and with good reason.
Does “New” Equal “Better” for Kansas State? 2 comments
Previewing Kansas State
No mention of Kansas State can open without the obligatory nod to Bill Snyder's accomplishment. Taking KSU from perennial cellar dweller to a conference champion is certainly laudable. However, the last few seasons of the Snyder era leave questions for first-year coach Ron Prince to answer. Coming off of consecutive losing seasons, what kind of team does Prince inherit? And, can the enthusiasm of this first-year head coach and his young staff make up for lack of experience?