Previewing the Preview: Tulane vs Kansas State
I watched K-State last 2 games here is what they do well.
Kansas State is 2-0 under first-year head coach Collin Klein after a 71-3 opener against Nicholls and a 34-7 win over Washington State.
The offense has been productive and physical, averaging 52.5 points and 523 yards per game.
Dominant rushing attack:
This has been the clearest strength. The Wildcats have rushed for 607 yards on 84 carries (7.2 yards per carry) with 7 rushing touchdowns.
• Rodney Fields Jr. (Oklahoma State transfer) leads the way: 206 yards and 2 TDs, including a 75-yard scoring run to open the second half against Washington State. He also had 101 yards and a score in the opener.
• Depth behind him is real. Joe Jackson, Jay Harris, and Monterrio Elston Jr. have all scored rushing TDs. Avery Johnson himself has 101 rushing yards and a score.
• They generated 312 rushing yards vs. Nicholls and 295 vs. Washington State (7.4 ypc in that game). Six different players scored on the ground against Nicholls.
The offensive line has created consistent push and lanes. Klein noted after Week 1 that the first-team unit had no missed assignments and kept Johnson clean.
Efficient, complementary passing
Avery Johnson has been accurate and productive: 37-of-55 (67.3%), 391 yards, 6 passing TDs, and 2 interceptions. He added a rushing TD in the opener. The two picks were really bad, stared down the WR and the CB Jaylen Thomas for Wash State jumped the route and picked him off twice (1-TD).
• Against Nicholls he was 15-of-21 for 199 yards and 3 TDs before coming out early.
• Against Washington State he was 22-of-34 for 192 yards and 3 TDs (plus 78 rushing yards). The two interceptions were the main blemish; one was returned for Washington State’s only score.
• Josh Manning (Missouri transfer) has emerged as the top target: 13 catches, 130 yards, 2 TDs. He had a career-high 10 receptions for 97 yards and a score against Washington State and has been reliable on third downs with good YAC.
Joe Jackson has also been a dual-threat weapon (receiving TDs in both games).
Efficiency and scheme:
• Third-down conversion: 19-of-27 (70%) through two games.
• They’ve been balanced and physical rather than one-dimensional. Klein’s offense emphasizes run game and play-action, with Johnson comfortable in the pocket when protected.
• Time of possession and first-down production have been strong (58 first downs in two games).
Context:
Both opponents have been limited. Nicholls is FCS and Washington State’s offense has been poor (166 total yards against K-State).
The Wildcats still have some finishing issues Johnson himself pointed out after the Washington State game, they left points on the field and didn’t always put the opponent away as cleanly as they wanted.
The rushing game, offensive line, and Johnson-to-Manning connection look like the things that have traveled well through two weeks. Those will be the areas Tulane has to slow down this Saturday in Manhattan.
A quick share helps us a lot!
