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Big weekend catch-up for you this morning, as football occupied everyone’s brain this weekend.
Friday night at the Cyclone Sports Complex in Ames, the Kansas State soccer team accomplished some historic firsts. The most immediate: earning their second-ever road Big 12 win as Brookelynn Entz scored a pair of goals, her fourth and fifth of the campaign, to lead K-State (2-6) to a 2-0 win over Iowa State (2-6). That win, the second of the year for the Cats in Big 12 play, marked another milestone: not only is it the first time K-State has won two conference games in one season, but this season’s win total literally doubles the Cats’ all-time Big 12 win total.
Most importantly, the win ensures that K-State can finish no worse than eighth in the Big 12 standings; that’s another first. As you can tell by the records of the two teams above, should K-State and Iowa State both do the same thing in their season finales, K-State would hold onto the seventh spot in the table; if K-State wins and Baylor loses, the Cats will be able to claim a tie for sixth as their reward.
The building process for K-State soccer has been rocky, and one could be forgiven for not being excited about a 2-6 record. But in reality, this is a monumental achievement for a fledgling program which still has players from its first recruiting class. Hats off to the ladies on their best season ever, no matter what happens in two weeks when K-State hosts Texas Tech (1-4-2) in the season finale.
Tennis
K-State hosted Iowa State over the weekend at the three-day KSU Invite. It was a good weekend for the Cats, who won 22 of the 32 matches played. K-State was 13-6 in singles play and 9-4 in doubles. Marina Linares was the star of the weekend, going 7-0 (4-0 in doubles, 3-0 solo); Ioana Gheorgita was 7-1 (4-1 and 3-0).
Next up: the Big 12 Fall Individuals, this weekend in Stillwater.
Baseball
Howard Herman at the Berkshire Eagle introduces you to Chad Shade, a graduate of D-III Springfield College who will spend his extra bonus year of eligibility in Manhattan. Shade, an all-conference center fielder, spent his summer playing for the Pittsfield Suns in the Cape Cod League. That’s how he came to the attention of Pete Hughes, whose sons all played for Pittsfield so he’s got connections with the team. Shade and Thomas Hughes were also Pittsfield teammates of grad assistant Patrick Sullivan.
Football
Oh, fine.
You can stop worrying about K-State being overrated, as they not only fell out of both polls but there’s over half a dozen teams between K-State and #25 now.
Our post-game content, if you missed it: Jon’s recap, which is pessimistic and angry; Derek’s post-game thoughts, which are less so.
From Ryan Black at the Mercury: Chris Klieman vigorously defends his quarterback Will Howard, and uncertainty regarding Briley Moore’s injury.
At the Eagle, Kellis Robinett has his grades for the game. Trigger warning: TWO Fs.
The Oklahoman’s Berry Tramel has his updated Big 12 power rankings. While noting that the States are the only Big 12 teams which control their own destiny, Tramel ranks K-State as the worst of the teams with one or two Big 12 losses. Harsh, but fair. Stay tuned later this morning for JT’s power rankings, where he’s stanning a surprising Big 12 title contender.
Lastly, game time has been set for this week’s tussle with Oklahoma State: 3pm Saturday on Big FOX. West Virginia and Texas have the other marquee spot with the 11am game on ABC.