A Season Slipping Away
Kansas State’s 2-4 record does not tell the whole story.
The Wildcats have enough talent to compete at the top of the Big 12. What they have not done is close games when it matters. A handful of critical moments in Waco told the entire season’s story. Missed opportunities. Questionable decisions. A two-score lead gone in minutes.
Chris Klieman’s team went to Baylor with renewed fight. They rotated heavily in the 95-degree heat. They forced turnovers. They marched 97 yards for a touchdown and looked like they had found their spark. Yet by the final whistle they were staring at another one-point loss that felt painfully familiar.
The Goal Line Collapse
With the game tied in the fourth quarter, Kansas State reached first and goal at the four yard line.
The sequence became the turning point of the season.
- First down run stuffed for a two yard loss against a run blitz
- Second down pass play had Garrett Oakley wide open for a touchdown but a missed blitz pickup killed it
- Third down call failed again and later even Klieman admitted it was not the right choice
- The Wildcats kicked a short field goal instead of finishing with a touchdown
The decision to throw twice instead of running the ball to chew clock and push the ball in changed everything. Minutes later, Avery Johnson’s lone mistake, a pick six created by another missed protection, swung the lead back to Baylor.
The Curse of One Score Games
This team’s biggest weakness is no secret anymore.
K-State was once known for winning grinders under Klieman, starting 11 and 10 in one score games. Since then they have fallen to 5 and 10 in their last 15.
Against Baylor they surrendered three explosive plays in less than ninety seconds after leading by fourteen late in the third quarter. Those breakdowns turned a likely win into another gut punch loss. Similar patterns showed up against Army, Arizona and Iowa State.
Klieman’s words summed it up after the game. “We played well enough to win but we did not earn the win.“
Avery Johnson Shows Progress but Needs Help
For all the frustration, Avery Johnson gave Kansas State his best performance of the season in Waco.
He threw for 337 yards, engineered a 97 yard scoring drive and ran only when needed thanks to a new two quarterback wrinkle with Blake Barnett that protected him from extra hits.
Even with Johnson playing his best, the offense has never been at full strength. Running back Dylan Edwards is still battling a lingering foot or ankle injury that limits the explosive run game. Joe Jackson has been reliable in relief but does not bring the same threat that Edwards offers.
Wide receivers Jayce Brown and Jarand Bradley have also been in and out of the lineup. Perimeter blocking remains inconsistent.
When Edwards has been healthy, as seen in the wins over Rutgers and UCF, the offense has looked dangerous. The rest of the season has been a mix of flashes and frustration.
Leadership Keeps Locker Room Together
Klieman said the last two weeks finally looked like K-State football again. He praised his players for laying it on the line and made it clear he will shoulder the blame for the losses.
His message to the team was simple.
“Adversity makes cowards of us all. We are not going to be cowards. I will take the bullets for these guys.”
That leadership has kept the locker room intact but it has not changed the math. To match last year’s 8 and 4 finish the Wildcats must now win every remaining game.
Three Storylines That Define the Season
- Questionable decisions as the story of the season
From red zone play calling to late clock management these moments have cost Kansas State multiple games they were good enough to win. - The ongoing one score woes
Once a program strength now a program weakness that is undermining otherwise strong efforts. - An offense still missing its full arsenal
Until Johnson, a healthy Edwards, and the top receivers share the field together the Wildcats will continue to fall short of their potential.
Blueprint’s Bottom Line
Kansas State has rediscovered its physical edge and plays with heart again. That is not enough to win the Big 12. Close game execution remains the wall they cannot climb. If the Wildcats ever get healthy on offense and finish drives the way they did on that 97 yard march they can still salvage pride this season. If not the story will remain the same: a tough team that fought but failed to finish.
Find More from Blueprint Sports Network
More College Football coverage here.
Subscribe to Locked on Kansas State and never miss a video!
Authenticity is hard to find. Come get your dose of real at Blueprint Sports Network.
