K-State closes out non-conference play with a win over UTSA

Manhattan, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–Needing some confidence heading into conference play, Kansas State had one final tuneup against Texas-San Antonio at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. The Wildcats not only scored on their opening drive, but scored on six of their first seven possessions in a 41-17 win over the Roadrunners in front of 50,618.

K-State scored on their opening drive, which turned out to be their first touchdown in the first half this season Alex Barnes also pulled off a first this year for the Wildcats, as he rushed it in from three yards out with 10:48 remaining in the first quarter to go up 7-0 after the Blake Lynch PAT. After both teams traded possessions, UTSA tied the game up, taking advantage of short field. Halen Steward would find himself wide open on a two-yard touchdown pass from Cordale Grundy with 5:00 remaining in the first quarter to tie the game at seven, after the Jared Sackett PAT. The Wildcats would close out the the first quarter with a Blake Lynch 33-yard field goal to put K-State up 10-7.

In the second quarter, it would be the Wildcats who would take over the game and score the next 34 points. With 6:59 remaining before halftime, Dalton Schoen make an over the shoulder catch from 42 yards out from Skylar Thompson to extend the lead to 17-7. Kansas State would score two more times in the final minute of the half. Their first came with 43 seconds to go before halftime on a Lynch 42-yard field go to go up 20-7. They would take advantage of a Roadrunner fumble at the Wildcat 35 yard line. Two plays later, Thompson would connect with Isaiah Zuber on a 23-yard pass with 20 seconds remaining in the half to go up 27-7.

Kansas State scored two more times, all in the third quarter. On their opening series of the second half, Thompson executed the fake handoff and went straight downfield from 27 yards out to extend the lead to 34-7 with 9:15 left in the third period. Their final score came with 3:31 left, as Alex Delton entered the game and on the third play of the drive, hit Zuber on a stop and go for 72 yards to push the lead to 41-7.

UTSA scored twice late in the game. Their first came on a 37-yard field goal by Jared Sackett to make it 41-10 Cats. On one play after a K-State fumble, D.J. Gillins hit a wide open Greg Campbell, Jr. from 10 yards out with 3:35 left to pull to within 41-17. K-State and UTSA traded possessions to run out the clock, and the Wildcats picked up the big win.

Skylar Thompson went 13-18 passing for 213 yards with a touchdown. He also added 66 yards on 14 carries with a touchdown rush. Alex Delton had one pass good for 72 yards and a touchdown. The Wildcats threw for 285 yards. Isaiah Zuber caught seven passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns. Alex Barnes added 50 yards on 13 carries with a touchdown. K-State rushed for 164 yards and finished with 449 yards in the game.

For UTSA, Cordale Grundy was 14-23 for 108 yards and a touchdown pass. Greg Campbell, Jr caught six passes for 41 yards and a touchdown. Jalen Rhodes rushed for 53 yards on nine carries. The Roadrunners rushed for 143 yards and passed for 157 for a total of 300 yards.

Kansas State finishes their non-conference slate 2-1 and will hit the road for the first time this season, with a game at West Virginia next Saturday at 2:30. The Mountaineers game with NC State was cancelled due to Hurricane Florence. UTSA is 0-3 on the year, and will host in-state foe Texas State next Saturday at 6 pm.

Head Coach Bill Snyder Postgame