The Kansas State football team is getting ready for its first Big 12 game on the road this season in a matchup against the University of Texas Longhorns in Austin, Texas, on Saturday.
The Wildcats are 3-1 so far this season after getting a 33-20 victory over Baylor in K-State’s Big 12 home opener last Saturday.
Head football coach Bill Snyder said he thought the offense could have performed much better against Baylor.
“It was very, very inconsistent,” Snyder said to K-State Sports. “We made a few big plays, but we need to be more of a big play offense. Not collectively a big play offense, but that needs to be part of the balance that we have, and we do not have quite enough of those.”
Texas won its Big 12 opener as well, a 17-7 victory over Iowa State in Ames, Iowa. The 2-2 Longhorns almost pulled off a huge upset on the road against the University of Southern California, but fell 27-24 in double overtime.
Senior quarterback Jesse Ertz will need to play big if K-State wants to pick up a win on the road. Ertz has thrown for five touchdowns this year, but he has also done a lot of damage with his legs, leading the team in rushing with 332 yards and three touchdowns.
Sophomore wide receiver Isaiah Zuber has quietly been one of the most consistent players for the Wildcat offense. Zuber leads the team in receiving with 17 catches for 208 yards and two touchdowns.
Junior defensive back Kendall Adams has been the most valuable player of the Wildcat defense thus far. Adams is second on the team in tackles with 25, and he leads the team in interceptions with two, including one against Baylor that secured the Wildcats’ victory.
Texas’ sophomore quarterback Shane Buechele has thrown for 546 yards and three touchdowns this year, but has had a problem staying healthy and on the field. Texas’ freshman quarterback Sam Ehlinger has performed adequately in his absence, throwing for 520 yards and three touchdowns.
The Wildcats and the Longhorns will kick off in Darrell K Royal—Texas Memorial Stadium at 6 p.m. on Saturday. The game can be seen on FS1 and listened to on the K-State Sports Network.
