K-State shuts out South Dakota

Manhattan, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–It was a dominant defensive effort for Kansas State, as they kicked off the 2022 season with a 34-0 over the South Dakota Coyotes Saturday night in front of 50,469 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.

It took only 10 seconds for K-State to score in 2022. Malik Knowles took the sweep down the Wildcat sideline for 75 yards for the touchdown to put the Cats up 7-0 early in the game. Chris Tennant booted in the extra point. Their second score came on a blocked punt. It would be Desmond Purnell taking the blocked punt 17 yards for a touchdown to go up 14-0 with 8:14 left in the first period. Kansas State wasn’t done in the opening 15 minutes. A five-play, 63-yard drive was capped off by a Deuce Vaughn 39-yard touchdown run with 49 seconds left in the first frame to extend the lead to 20-0. The extra point was missed. They took advantage of an interception.

In the second quarter, the Wildcats only scored once, but put together a good drive for their score. Nebraska transfer Adrian Martinez found the end zone from six yards out to put K-State up 27-0 with 5:49 left before halftime. It was an eight-play, 78-yard drive.

In the Wildcats opening drive to begin the second half, they were able to convert a fourth down near midfield, and marched down the field to put up their fifth touchdown of the game. DJ Giddens found paydirt from 12 yards out to put the Cats up 34-0 with 8:43 left in the third quarter. The drive was a nearly five minute drive that went 11 plays and 63 yards.

In the fourth quarter, Kansas State played with mostly reserves. They would put together a good drive with Jake Rubley at quarterback, but miss a field goal. The Cats second and third string would stop South Dakota at the Wildcat five yard line on fourth down with less than a minute left to preserve the shutout.

It’s K-State’s first shutout since 2019 and their first season-opening win since 2015, when they shut out South Dakota 34-0.

Adrian Martinez was 11-15 for 53 yards, and rushed for 39 yards on 13 carries with a touchdown. Deuce Vaughn had 126 yards rushing on 18 carries with a touchdown. Kansas State rushed for 297 yards and had 393 yards of offense.

South Dakota’s Carson Camp was 18-34 for 139 yards with an interception. Shomari Lawrence rushed for 84 yards and Travis Theis, a Pratt native, had 56 yards on the ground on 11 carries. The Coyotes had 270 yards of offense.

Kansas State hosts Missouri Saturday at 11 am, while South Dakota takes on Montana on the road on Saturday.

Coach Chris Kleiman