PLAYERS TO WATCH
–RB Alex Barnes became the 16th 1,000-yard rusher in Kansas State history, rushing 22 times for 117 yards and two touchdowns in a 21-17 victory over Kansas. Barnes, a junior, ranks seventh all-time at Kansas State with 2,296 yards and also stands ninth with 24 career rushing touchdowns.
–LB Justin Hughes continues to blossom for the Wildcats, recording three tackles for loss among his five stops against Kansas. Hughes also forced a fumble and has become one of the top aggressors for the Wildcats defensively. Prior to this season Hughes played sparingly, though he has emerged as a player to watch next season. Hughes was particularly stout in the final quarter.
–DE Chase Johnston recorded his first career sack in the Kansas win and also forced a fumble on special teams that the Wildcats recovered in what has been the most impactful performance by the junior. Johnston provides more depth for the defensive line, where freshman Wyatt Hubert has also made strides and was in on one sack against Kansas.
–QB Alex Delton proved serviceable in the pass game, completing 11-of-17 attempts for 126 yards against Kansas, with no interceptions while confronting a stiff south wind. Delton added 77 yards on 16 carries, including a game-winning 21-yard score with 2:16 remaining. His longest completion, a 26-yarder to WR Dalton Schoen, set up that touchdown.
SERIES HISTORY: The series between Kansas State and Texas Tech is tied 9-9. The Wildcats have won two straight including a 42-35 overtime victory last season. QB Skylar Thompson came off the bench and tied the game in regulation with a two-point conversion pass before throwing the game-winning touchdown in overtime. Thompson was inserted to begin the second half after QB Alex Delton went out following a helmet-to-helmet collision.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “We can’t be afraid (of thin depth at quarterback). There isn’t a snap that we have where the quarterback might not get hit. We can’t just turn around and hand it off every snap. That probably wears pretty thin after a period of time. It concerns you but there’s not a whole lot you can do about it.” — Kansas State coach Bill Snyder.