K-State left wondering what it should fix first
MANHATTAN - In truth, Kansas State's players were more angry about not performing well against Western Kentucky.
Yes, Saturday's 45-21 loss to Fresno State was a far worse outcome than the stumbling opening win over Western Kentucky. But the visiting Bulldogs' victory was so dominant, so complete, the Wildcats were left more dumbfounded than irate.
"I don't think it was a physical issue," right tackle Jeromey Clary said. "And I don't think they just had us schemed."
Well then, what the heck happened?
"I don't know," Clary answered. "It just wasn't our day."
The loss was so decisive, K-State fell from a No. 13 ranking to out of the top 25. And, with only one nonconference tune-up remaining, the Wildcats are being forced to rethink everything.
That applies to players --"A lot of guys need to go home and evaluate themselves," free safety Jesse Tetuan said -- and coaches.
"If it's one side of the ball or the kicking game, I can say, 'OK, that's an issue over there' and we can go fix it," K-State coach Bill Snyder said. "If you're getting beat everywhere, then I've got to look within. That's got to be Bill Snyder."
The Wildcats had some time to think things over before Saturday's game ended. The Bulldogs, who outgained K-State 185-2 in the first quarter and led 31-14 at halftime, put things away early.
"After the second quarter, we knew it was our game," FSU defensive tackle Garrett McIntyre said. "We play physical football."
The implication being, of course, that K-State did not. And who could argue with McIntyre?
K-State's offense couldn't get started because the Bulldogs dominated the line of scrimmage. Take away Dylan Meier's 47-yard touchdown pass to Davin Dennis in the second quarter, and the Wildcats had negative-two yards in the game's first 28 minutes.
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BY JEFFREY PARSON
The Wichita Eagle