K-State Football: Three Things to Watch VS West Virginia

Sep 17, 2016; Manhattan, KS, USA; Members of the Kansas State marching band perform as they enter the stadium before the start of a game against the Florida Atlantic Owls at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. The Wildcats won the game 63-7. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports /

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Kansas State Wildcats cornerback/return specialist Morgan Burns (33) returns a kickoff for a touchdown -Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

K-State football cornerback/return specialist Morgan Burns (33) returns a kickoff for a touchdown -Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports /

Dominate on Special Teams

As pointed out by Keenan Cummings of WVSports, the past two meetings between these two sides have gone in KSU’s way. A large part of that has been due to them winning the battle on special teams.

In 2014, the Wildcats benefitted from a Tyler Lockett punt return for a touchdown and the following year Morgan Burns sealed the win with a kickoff return for a score.

Last year’s game was a one-point game, and this year’s match-up should be close. The Wildcats need to win the special teams battle and continue to make big plays against West Virginia.

Something to keep an eye on for the Mountaineers is their kick return unit. Part of the reason their latest game against BYU was so close was because West Virginia kept getting the ball in terrible field position.

Point being is that special teams has pretty much decided the winner of this match-up the last two years, and K-State football should aim to make it a third straight year. All it takes is one big return for their team.

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