K-State Slate: 9.26.14 - The Blueprint to Success

It is definitely time to move on, but there was one bit of lingering post-Auburn business that TB had to handle. The now infamous audible was the right call, though this is not an argument that will go away anytime soon, at least among the purple faithful.

Curtis Kitchen brought you the latest edition of the Roundtable, with all parties agreeing on the general freak nastiness of Danzel McDaniel.

And because the UTEP game is here, Jon Morse had this K-State Q&A with Alex Nicolas of Miner Rush, SB Nation's UTEP blog. In turn, Jon went down the hole to answer questions about the Wildcats at the UTEP blog. Don't miss Jon on The Rush podcast with the Miners too.

Bill Snyder has set a standard of excellence at K-State. This standard demands perfection and execution from the team, and also earns him this sort of praise from Jake Waters: "Yeah, it's cool to play for him."

Weston Hiebert is the first person ever from his hometown to play Division I football. He was honored as one of six team captains during the spring game, and nobody was more surprised than Hiebert himself.

Jonathan Truman is another player following the K-State blueprint, and enjoying success as a former walk-on turned starter. Over three games, Truman has a team-leading 22 tackles.

The Collegian posits whether K-State can win the Big 12. The ESPN(blog) crew also wonders if K-State is the biggest threat to Baylor and Oklahoma this season.

This renewed enthusiasm is apparently the result of the terrific start the defense has had this season. The 4.64 yards-per-carry allowed by K-State is second only to TCU. The unit has also done well against the pass, limiting YAC to just 4.85 yards, good for third in the conference.

The run defense at least will be tested by the Miners, who are currently no. 7 in the country in terms of rushing offense. Then again, K-State has always taken pride in being stout against the run. Still, comparisons to 1999 are probably premature.

The Big 12 spotlight is now on Curry Sexton, thanks to his 11 receptions for 121 yards against Auburn.

Tyler Lockett is one of 62 finalists for the Campbell Trophy, awarded to the nation's best scholar-athlete.

Kylee Zumach has made history. She is now the only player in Wildcats history to be awarded three straight Big 12 Rookie of the Week. K-State opens conference play against Baylor tomorrow at 7 PM in Ahearn Field House. If you're in Manhattan for the football game, consider stopping by Ahearn to cheer on the Volleycats!

The equestrian team's hot start continued with a 14-5 trouncing of No. 9 New Mexico State. The fifth-ranked Wildcats take on South Dakota State next.