Red Raiders Week 5 Opponent Preview: Kansas State Wildcats
Every year, a conference features a sleeper team that ends up competing for a conference title. In the Big 12, keep a close eye on Kansas State in 2022.
The Wildcats haven't missed a beat in the transition from Bill Snyder to Chris Klieman. After what looked to be a promising start in 2019, injuries and a COVID-19 season cost K-State much of its success a year later. In 2021, Klieman was back on track, going 8-5 to close out the year with a Texas Bowl victory over LSU.
The Wildcats have a new quarterback for the first time since 2017 following the departure of Skylar Thompson. Adrian Martinez took over for Thompson under center and has passed for 538 yards this season on 62-of-100 passing and one touchdown.
Defensively, Kansas State seems poised to make a run at their Big 12 opponents. Linebacker Austin Moore leads the team in tackles with 28 while fellow linebacker Daniel Green leads all Wildcats with two interceptions.
Does that hurt Texas Tech's chances of picking up a win on the road?
Make sure to follow along at RedRaiderReview.com as we preview every matchup for Texas Tech during the 2022 season.
Kansas State Wildcats
2022 Record: 3-1 (1-0 Big 12)
Head Coach: Chris Klieman
Klieman is in his fourth season with the Wildcats.
Offensive Set: Power I Pro
Defensive Set: 3-3-5
Offense:
Led by offensive coordinator Collin Klein - who made history for the Wildcats while starting at quarterback in 2012 becoming the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and Heisman finalist - the Wildcats have taken on some of his personality.
That personality and QB style is based on a ground game. Klein was more of a running quarterback than a passing one, and that's where he put his stamp on the Heisman conversation back in the day.
The style of offense hasn't changed much.
K-State's power-run offense often features a fullback in its backfield. And no, the fullback doesn't just provide an extra blocking role for the run game as both fullbacks averaged 4.1 yards per attempt last season. Of course, the bulk of the carries belong to running back Deuce Vaughn who has carried the ball 87 times for 468 yards this season.
Offensive starters:
QB Adrian Martinez
RB Deuce Vaughn
FB Christian Moore
WR Malik Knowles
WR Kade Warner
TE Sammy Wheeler
LT KT Leveston
LG Cooper Beebe
C Hayden Gillum
RG Hadley Panzer
RT Christian Duffie
Defense:
While the offense struggled to find consistency last season, the defense remained K-State's saving grace. That hasn't changed in 2022, as the Wildcats have allowed 0, 12, 10, and 34 points, respectively this season through four games. The 34 came against then-No. 6 Oklahoma last week in K-State's 41-34 upset victory.
Defensive starters:
DE: Felix Anudike-Uzomah
NT: Eli Huggins
DE: Nate Matlack
MIKE: Daniel Green
WILL: Austin Moore
SAM/EDGE: Khalid Duke
CB: Julius Brents
CB Ekow Boye-Doe
Nickel/JACK: Drake Cheatum
FS Josh Hayes
SS Kobe Savage
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