WVU Football Series History: The Kansas State Wildcats

The Mountaineers and Wildcats first met nearly 90 years ago.

Ben Queen - USA Today

The series between West Virginia and Kansas State is one of the oldest active series that the Mountaineers have been a part of. Dating back to 1930, the series does not feature as many games as some of West Virginia’s more storied rivalries, but it's a well-traveled one nonetheless. 

West Virginia and Kansas State opened its series at Old Mountaineer Field back in 1930. The first quarter saw the Wildcats take a 7-0 lead, but the Mountaineers dominated the rest of the way. Touchdown runs from Leo Dotson and John Doyle, along with a scoring toss from Doyle to Wilbur Sortet made up a run of 21 straight points for West Virginia. A fourth quarter safety made it a three-score game and the Mountaineers ran away with the 23-7 victory after totaling 270 rushing yards.

In 1931, the Wildcats trekked to Morgantown, looking to even the score. West Virginia was never able to get going on offense and Kansas State pitched a shutout 19-0. It took over 80 years for the Mountaineers and Wildcats to meet again 2012 after West Virginia joined the Big 12. 

As it would turn out, the loss in 1931 for the Mountaineers would be the first of five-straight against Kansas State. In 2012, quarterback Collin Klein threw for over 300 yards and three touchdowns while only having two passes fall incomplete. Geno Smith was picked off twice and West Virginia was blown out 55-14 by one of Kansas State’s best teams ever.

In 2013, Wildcats head coach Bill Snyder employed a dual-quarterback system, featuring Jake Waters and Daniel Sams. The pair combined for 291 passing yards and 71 yards on the ground. The Wildcats kept West Virginia on its toes throughout the day and came away with a 35-12 win at home.

Back in Morgantown the following season, Kansas State secured its fourth win in a row. Contrary to classic Bill Snyder-coached teams, it was a high-powered passing attack that doomed the Mountaineers. Waters returned under center and threw for 400 yards even while the West Virginia defense locked down the rushing attack. Wide receiver Tyler Lockett had a career day, snagging ten catches for 196 yards while also serving as a menace on special teams. West Virginia closed the gap but the final concussion of Clint Trickett’s career sent the offense into a tailspin and Kansas State walked out with a 26-20 win.

2015 proved to be just as painful for the Mountaineers. Despite holing onto a 13-3 lead at the half, the Wildcats stormed back and capped off the scoring on a 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Morgan Burns. Kansas State's defense handled the rest and held the Mountaineers scoreless over the final 12-plus minutes of play, securing a 24-23 win.

In 2016, the Mountaineers finally broke through and claimed its first win over Kansas State as members of the Big 12. West Virginia running back Justin Crawford rushed for over 100 yards and a score, but it was Skyler Howard's pass to Jovon Durante in the back of the endzone that secured the 17-16 win for the Mountaineers. 

West Virginia continued its winning ways the next year in Manhattan. The Mountaineer defense sacked freshman quarterback Skylar Thompson four times while Will Grier tossed four touchdowns, accounting four all of the Mountaineers’ points. Ka’Raun White also had a whale of game, hauling in eight passes for 168 yards and two touchdowns. A McCrane field goal was the only scoring play of the second half for the Wildcats as the Mountaineers cruised to a 28-23 victory.

In Will Grier's final season as a Mountaineer, the senior racked up 356 yards and five touchdown passes against the Wildcats. Marcus Simms caught five passes for 136 yards while David Sills V hauled in three scores. Kansas State's Isaiah Zuber had a great day himself, tallying 133 yards receiving, but the West Virginia defense refused to allow a touchdown and the Mountaineers rolled to a 35-6 win.

West Virginia and Kansas State meet Saturday in Manhattan. The game will be televised on ESPN at 3:00 pm Eastern.