Slate: K-State snags 3 Big Monday games, loses NCAA track champion

Previously

Due to a technical snafu, there was no Slate yesterday. So today, you get a double-sized special extra value edition courtesy of both the boss and the speeling champoin.

Wildcat00 brought us the weekly Big 12 roundup in all it’s GIF-tasticness. (Never stop using the Iowa State one).

Drew Schneider graded the offense from last week’s contest. Needless to say there are some areas for improvement for K-State’s offense, which Drew goes into in more detail with a breakdown of Skylar Thompson’s performance on Saturday.

This week’s edition of Bring on the PodCats features Luke Thompson and KSUEMAW! chatting with Mississippi State beat writer Brett Hudson of the Columbus (Miss.) Commercial-Dispatch.

Last night, AMS brought us the news that Darren Sproles is no longer in eighth place on the NFL’s all-time all-purpose yardage leaderboard. He’s sixth now, having passed both Steve Smith and Marshall Faulk in one game. Is fifth place in reach this season? Go see!

Football

Mississippi State’s starting QB, Nick Fitzgerald, will make his season debut against Kansas State after sitting out the season opener following a suspension for a violation of team rules. He is a two year starter for the Bulldogs, so Kansas State defense will likely have their hands full Saturday morning. (John Taylor, NBCSports)

Prior to this week’s game, Kansas State has played only two ranked non-conference opponents at home under Bill Snyder: Auburn in 2014 and USC in 2002. So games like Saturday’s are pretty rare for the Wildcats. (Kellis Robinett, Wichita Eagle)

Robinett also does what Drew did: took a look at some plays which he thinks indicate Thompson should be the starter.

A couple of folks are mightily impressed with Josh Rivas’s performance in his first outing as a Wildcat. They’re pretty relevant folks, too: Bill Snyder and Dalton Risner. (Ryan Black, Manhattan Mercury)

Remember back in 2016 when Oklahoma‘s Austin Kendall outraged Ohio State fans by calling their defense “basic”? Fitzgerald could well have stepped into the same pot of poo, calling the Wildcat defense “base” but adding that they’re “very fundamentally sound” and that the Bulldogs are “not going to find them out of place.” Bulldog defensive coordinator Bob Shoop, meanwhile, has concerns about K-State’s offensive line, suggesting it might be the best unit his defense faces all year. (Tyler Horka, Mississippi Clarion-Ledger)

Earlier this week, we got the reaction in Vermillion to South Dakota’s offense on Saturday. Now, take in the reaction to their defense. Spoiler: high marks. (Mick Garry, Sioux Falls Argus-Leader)

Dave Skretta previews tomorrow’s contest. (AP via the Washington Post)

Today’s Sports Extra features Jordan Mittie, son of Jeff. Mittie came to Manhattan via Texas State; it’s been a wacky road trip. (Corbin McGuire, K-State Sports)

Basketball

The men’s Big 12 schedule was released Wednesday, and it features 3 Big Monday games for K-State, all on the road. First up is West Virginia on February 18, then a week later the Cats travel to the Flaw on the Kaw. K-State will finish their Big Monday games on March 4 against TCU. If you’re curious that’s three straight weeks the good guys will play a Big Monday game. (Kellis Robinett)

An update to the schedule came along yesterday, as the game times and broadcast info were announced for the Sprint Center matchup with Vanderbilt on December 22 and the SEC/Big 12 Challenge tilt at Texas A&M on January 26. (K-State Sports)

Volleyball

This weekend the Wildcats will host the K-State Invitational, which sees Oregon State, North Texas, and Nebraska-Omaha travelling to Manhattan. K-State will get things started with North Texas today at noon, followed by Oregon State tonight at 7:30. The tournament will finish with Omaha on Saturday at 6 pm. The North Texas game will air on K-StateHD.tv, while the other two matches will be carried on ESPN3. (K-State Sports)

Soccer

At 6:00pm tonight, K-State (3-1-1) will host UMKC (4-2) at the K-State Soccer Complex. The game will air on K-StateHD.tv and Facebook Live. After that, they’re headed out of town for a 1:00 Sunday tilt in Bloomington against Indiana (3-1-1), which will air on BTN Plus. (K-State Sports)

Track and Field

Three-time All-American and last year’s NCAA women’s discus champion, Shadae Lawrence, has left the Wildcat program to transfer to Colorado State. Lawrence also competes for her home country Jamaica. (Leighton Levy, Sports Max)

Cross Country

K-State will be in Kenosha, Wis. on Saturday for the Vic Godfrey Open. Hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, the event has a tie to K-State beyond its participation: it’s named for the father of Wildcat head coach Ryun Godfrey.