The road doesn’t get any easier for No. 17 Kansas State.
Coming off a dramatic 31-28 road victory over Colorado, K-State travels to Morgantown, W.Va., for a prime-time matchup with West Virginia. The Mountaineers (3-3, 2-1 Big 12) will look to rebound from a 28-16 home loss to Iowa State.
“We still have some work to do,” Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman said Monday. “We’ve got to continue to improve. We’re at the halfway point and we’re excited with where we’re at.
“We’ve got to get better this week. We’re playing a really good West Virginia team. They run the ball really effectively with three different players. Both running backs are really good and (quarterback Garrett) Greene is one of my favorite players to watch, though I’m not sure I’m going to like watching him Saturday night. He’s a competitor.”
Greene threw two second-half interceptions against Iowa State, which led to 14 Cyclones points.
“We just made too many mistakes to win,” West Virginia coach Neal Brown said after the game. “I thought (lack of red zone success), turnovers and penalties (were) the story of the game.”
Now, the Mountaineers turn their attention to another ranked visitor. It’s a matter of controlling what you can control.
“The little things make the big things happen,” West Virginia offensive coordinator Chad Scott said Monday. “Just be patient and do your job. Win every play. How do you win every play? By simply doing your job.
“(Against Kansas State), our guys have to be where they’re supposed to be. Don’t do anything that will hurt us. If they’re supposed to be in the C gap, be in the C gap. If they’re supposed to (pick up) the blitz, pick up the blitz. They can’t get greedy and try to make that play that’s not their play.”
The Wildcats (5-1, 2-1) depend on a balanced offense.
Quarterback Avery Johnson has been mostly on point so far this season. He has thrown for 1,103 yards and rushed for 306 yards this season, with 14 total touchdowns. He had a costly fourth-quarter interception against Colorado with the Wildcats leading 24-21.
But after the Buffaloes took the lead, Johnson hit Jayce Brown with a 50-yard strike with 2:14 left to help the Wildcats secure the win.
“This is what football is all about,” Johnson said after the game. “We wanted to put the game away the drive before, but it obviously didn’t go our way. Ultimately, you’ve got to make plays in big moments. That’s what our guys did tonight.”
Running back DJ Giddens has rushed for 786 yards (best in the Big 12) and two touchdowns this season. He also has 10 receptions for 129 yards and another score. He ranks fourth nationally at 131.0 rushing yards per game, and fifth in the nation in scrimmage yards per game at 152.5.
“He practices the way (the media) sees him play,” Klieman said. “We try to give him a few breaks during the week, but he doesn’t want them. He wants to stay out there. He wants every rep he can get.”
