Sep 14, 2013; Manhattan, KS, USA; Kansas State Wildcats linebacker
Tre Walker(50) holds up a sign before the start of a game against the Massachusetts Minutemen at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports
VITALS
Score: 37-7, Kansas State!
It was over when: It was over when the running game showed up. John Hubert rushed for 118 yards on 18 carries, Daniel Sams rushed for 77 yards in 11 attempts, and Jake Waters rushed for 74 on nine rushes. KSU attempted just 12 passes as a result of the success of the running game.
Player of the Game: John Hubert. We’ll talk about him later.
Fun stat: K-State averaged 7.2 yards per rushing attempt.
CELEBRATION GIF
THREE CHEERS
1. John Hubert
Put aside that UMass is the 119th ranked defense in the NCAA and focus on the success Hubert enjoyed Saturday night. Hubert entered the night with just 79 rushing yards with an average of 2.8 yards per carry. With his 118 yards Saturday night, he doubled his yardage total and averaged twice as many yards per carry as he had the last two weeks.
K-State absolutely needs Hubert to be a threat in the backfield. And if Waters wants to remain the primary starter, Hubert has to be productive as a rusher. Either way, Kansas State is a better team with a productive John Hubert. He was certainly that on Saturday.
2. Defense
The lone UMass touchdown came after an interception thrown by Jake Waters, which gave the Minutemen a short field. And in Massachusetts second possession, they went on a 16-play drive that ended in a blocked field goal. Otherwise, Massachusetts did very little with the ball.
K-State held UMass to 3.2 yards per carry and picked off A.J Doyle twice.
3. Jack Cantele
Yes, it’s only one kick, but Cantele was finally tested in a game. He passed, hitting a 42-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. No team can afford to leave points on the field, and this will be especially true of the Wildcats this season. Having a kicker with a decent range will be an important weapon to have in their arsenal heading into Big 12 play.
VICTORY BEVERAGE
Don’t be cocky. It’s freaking UMass. But you should go with a Redd’s Apple Ale, so you can work your way into a conversation where you can say, “How do ya like them apples?!”
THREE WORRIES
1. This is UMass
The Minutemen came in ranked 118th on offense and 119th on defense. They were not exactly the cream of the crop competition. How much of K-State’s success Saturday was their own improvement as opposed to their poor competition is a balance that is tough to define.
2. Quarterback
Jake Waters had another nasty interception in the first quarter that led to points for UMass. Waters now has three interceptions in three games.
Daniel Sams has done everything he’s been asked to do as the substitute quarterback, and has proven to be the most dynamic player on the field on offense. It would be a stunning development if Sams does not see the majority of the snaps next week in Austin, Texas.
3. The Road
K-State chose to not schedule a non-conference road opponent this season, which means their first road game will be at Texas next weekend. This is not the same caliber of team as the past couple years, and it has to be concerning that the Wildcats first road game of the season will come in an environment such as Austin.
UP NEXT
Speaking of Austin, Texas, K-State will travel there next Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the game will be aired on ABC.
VICTORY!!!