Sep 13, 2024; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Avery Johnson (2) warms up earlier than the beginning of a sport in opposition to the Arizona Wildcats at Invoice Snyder Household Soccer Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Scott Sewell-Imagn Photos No. 13 Kansas State and host BYU each look to stay unbeaten when the unfamiliar 3-0 squads conflict on Saturday evening of their Huge 12 Convention opener in Provo, Utah.
These two colleges 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 Ok-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 mentioned. “A whole lot of respect for (BYU coach) Kalani (Sitake) and BYU. It’ll be a heck of an environment and an amazing check for us.
“Two weeks in the past, we had been speaking about humidity and warmth (earlier than Ok-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 street final weekend.
Ok-State confirmed newcomer Arizona what life within the Huge 12 is likely to be like, scoring the ultimate 31 factors in a 31-7 win over the then-No. 20 Wildcats.
Whereas Arizona is now within the Huge 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 Huge 12 in scoring offense at seventh and ninth, respectively. They’re within the high half defensively, rating fourth and fifth, respectively. However how they’ve gotten there’s totally different.
The BYU offense is doing it by the air, averaging 289.3 passing yards per sport, fifth within the convention. Ok-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 mentioned following BYU’s victory over Wyoming. “I really feel like we bought higher from final week to this week, and I’m trying 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 decide. He was additionally BYU’s main rusher in opposition to the Cowboys with six carries for 62 yards.
Ok-State’s Avery Johnson rushed for 110 yards and was 14-of-23 passing for 156 yards with two touchdowns in opposition to Arizona. Johnson handed the credit score round.
“It begins with Coach Riles (offensive coordinator Conor Riley),” Johnson mentioned. “He got here out firing. And credit score Coach Klieman. We may have opened with a three-and-out however he mentioned, ‘Go for it’ in our personal finish and we ended up with a 15-play drive.
“But it surely all begins with Coach Riles.”
–Discipline Degree Media