Sep 13, 2024; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Avery Johnson (2) warms up earlier than the beginning of a sport towards the Arizona Wildcats at Invoice Snyder Household Soccer Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Scott Sewell-Imagn Photographs No. 13 Kansas State and host BYU each look to stay unbeaten when the unfamiliar 3-0 squads conflict on Saturday night time of their Massive 12 Convention opener in Provo, Utah.
These two faculties have by no means met as convention opponents, splitting their eight earlier conferences. The final time they squared off was within the 1997 Cotton Bowl, which BYU gained with a game-saving interception. The final time Okay-State performed in Provo was a 39-0 loss in 1977.
Kansas State coach Chris Klieman is anxious to see how his crew handles the brand new environment and a brand new rivalry.
“It’ll be a tricky atmosphere,” he stated. “Loads of respect for (BYU coach) Kalani (Sitake) and BYU. It’ll be a heck of an environment and an awesome check for us.
“Two weeks in the past, we had been speaking about humidity and warmth (earlier than Okay-State’s sport at Tulane) and now we’re speaking about being cool and elevated (altitude). What a loopy league we’re in.”
BYU trounced Wyoming 34-14 on the highway final weekend.
Okay-State confirmed newcomer Arizona what life within the Massive 12 is perhaps like, scoring the ultimate 31 factors in a 31-7 win over the then-No. 20 Wildcats.
Whereas Arizona is now within the Massive 12, it was a nonconference sport because it was scheduled earlier than Arizona joined the convention.
The Wildcats and Cougars rank close to the center of the Massive 12 in scoring offense at seventh and ninth, respectively. They’re within the prime half defensively, rating fourth and fifth, respectively. However how they’ve gotten there may be completely different.
The BYU offense is doing it by way of the air, averaging 289.3 passing yards per sport, fifth within the convention. Okay-State, in the meantime, is second within the league with 244.3 dashing yards per sport. BYU is ranked fourth in dashing protection, permitting simply 105.7 yards per sport.
Sitake is aware of the competitors goes to get more durable, now that the convention season is beginning. He believes that his crew is prepared for the problem.
“It did not go completely, however there have been some actually good issues to work on, some actually good issues to get higher at,” he stated following BYU’s victory over Wyoming. “I really feel like we acquired higher from final week to this week, and I’m wanting ahead to creating an enchancment from this week to subsequent.”
BYU’s Jake Retzlaff accomplished 22 of 36 passes for 291 yards with three touchdowns and one choose. He was additionally BYU’s main rusher towards the Cowboys with six carries for 62 yards.
Okay-State’s Avery Johnson rushed for 110 yards and was 14-of-23 passing for 156 yards with two touchdowns towards Arizona. Johnson handed the credit score round.
“It begins with Coach Riles (offensive coordinator Conor Riley),” Johnson stated. “He got here out firing. And credit score Coach Klieman. We might have opened with a three-and-out however he stated, ‘Go for it’ in our personal finish and we ended up with a 15-play drive.
“However it all begins with Coach Riles.”
–Area Stage Media
