Slate: Kansas State Defies Expectations

Previously

Yesterday, Drew Schneider succeeded in riling up the natives took a look at the football team, and why they are fading down the home stretch on the season.

Football

The “Next Man Up” mentality has been a running theme for a team hit hard by injuries and a lack of depth. Once again that mantra was on display last week as the Wide Receiver Corp had to step up in the absence of Wykeen Gill. (Ryan Black, Manhattan Mercury)

The last two games have featured explosive offensive plays early in the game, and Coach Klieman believes that may have caused some players to “relax just a little bit”. (Kellis Robinett, Wichita Eagle)

He’s always flown a little under the radar but Kansas State kicker Blake Lynch is now statistically the best kicker in Wildcat history. (Kellis Robinett, Wichita Eagle)

It’s been an up and down first season for Chris Klieman, but he currently sits a head of fellow first year Big 12 head coaches, Matt Well, Neal Brown, and Les Miles, and his team is better this season than it was last year. That’s a pretty good spot to sit, with two winnable games remaining on the regular season schedule. (D. Scott Fritchen, 247sports.com)

Former K-State WR Deante Burton signed with the Dallas Cowboys on Wednesday. Burton had been a member of the Indianapolis Colts’ practice squad prior to signing with the Cowboys. (Staff reports, Manhattan Mercury)

Basketball

Kansas State may be undefeated so far this season, but they have yet to lead heading into halftime. With stiffer competition on the horizon, that needs to change quickly or the Wildcats will find themselves unable to climb out of the hole in the second half. (Arne Green, Topeka Capital Journal)