Kansas State shuts out Bowling Green

Football

Kansas State blanked Bowling Green 52-0 yesterday, and honestly, it wasn’t even as close as that scoreline might suggest (if you’re squinting at it with MAC-colored lenses).

As Jon Morse notes in his official recap of the game, the run game is getting a lot of attention, but the passing game has been great too, and the defense—though probably not tested—is playing well too.

Another week, another dominant effort against a non-conference opponent. While it’s difficult to make too much out of these past two games, it’s also hard to keep a lid on our expectations. There are literally too many eye-popping (and possibly meaningless) stats to ponder right now, but this one stands out: for the first time in school history, the Wildcats have amassed more than 500 yards of offense in each of the first two games of the season.

Wide receiver Malik Knowles struggled a bit in the first game, but against Bowling Green, he looked exactly like the star receiver many thought he would be. Knowles had five catches for 99 yards and two scores in this game. More importantly, it looks like he and quarterback Skylar Thompson have a great connection, and that will serve the team well later in the season.

If there are any dark clouds from the first two games, it is that a couple of key players are injured. Defensive end Wyatt Hubert and defensive back Walter Neil, Jr. both went down with injury in the first half and didn’t return to the game. A year ago, we’d still be in the dark about their status, but this is a new era, so we have actual post-injury news to report! Klieman had no information on Hubert, but Neil’s injury was apparently not that serious. Indeed, he could have returned to the game but the coaches held him out because his services weren’t really needed in the second half. An abundance of caution with a big non-conference road game coming up is probably a good idea.

The Mississippi State game is scheduled for 11 AM on Saturday. That game should provide a better assessment of where Kansas State really is in 2019, but until then, we should bask in the glory of a 2-0 start and an offense that is clicking on all cylinders.

Cross Country

Kansas State began its season at the JK Gold Classic at the Four Mile Creek resort in Wichita. Thanks to setting a consistent pace and a 6th place finish from freshman Jack Thomas in the 6K race, the Wildcats finished the event in second place.

Next, the team will be in action in Lincoln at the Jay Dirksen Invitational on September 21.

Golf

The women’s golf team will be in action on Monday, teeing off at SMU’s Trinity Forest Invitational in Dallas. Reid Isaac and Niamh McSherry won the event a season ago to close out their fall campaign, with Isaac also claiming the individual title. This season, they’re hoping to repeat the feat.

Volleyball

The VolleyCats were already riding high at the Kansas State Invitational after a thrilling five-set win over Omaha on Friday. Then the team capped the weekend with a 3-1 win over Central Arkansas to stay perfect for the tournament.

The team will now hit the road for a seven-match road win beginning with the MSU Fall Invitational at Missouri State.

Miscellany

The largest capital project in the history of Kansas State’s athletic department was launched on Friday. The initiative, projected at $105 million, is part of the facilities master plan, including construction at the south end zone of Bill Snyder Family Stadium, a new volleyball arena, and new indoor and outdoor practice facilities for the football team.