K-State Football: Looking back at loss to TCU Horned Frogs

Third Downs

I wrote about the K-State offense earlier this year. The idea behind the article was K-State can’t get to manageable third downs. Therefore, they can’t convert them. Take a look at these states for 3rd down conversions.

TCU 9-18 – 50%

KSU 2-15 – 13%

It’s the single most important statistic from Saturday. It’s why it never felt like K-State had a chance in the game. They had zero ability to sustain drives. I actually was so frustrated that I went back and looked through all the 3rd downs for K-State. My findings are below, in chronological order

1st Quarter

Live Feed

Saturday Blitz

3rd and 7 – Incomplete

3rd and 5 – Incomplete

3rd and 15 – 3 yard run

2nd Quarter

3rd and 10 – Incomplete

3rd and goal – at the 26, fumble

3rd and 5 – Incomplete

3rd and 7 – Incomplete

3rd and 10 – Incomplete

3rd Quarter

3rd and 10 – Incomplete

3rd and 7 – 30 yard pass to Pringle

3rd and 2 – 1 yard run

3rd and 6 – 7 yard pass to Zuber

4th Quarter

3rd and 12 – Incomplete

3rd and 6 – Incomplete

3rd and 14 – 7 yard pass to Reuter

There isn’t much else to add. In a game with a brand new quarterback, Dana Dimel got his new quarterback one third down of less than five yards. It’s insane, which is putting it nicely.

There is a growing belief that the offensive coaches are not putting their players into a position to win the game. It’s sort of like putting square pegs into round holes. I don’t see how anybody couldn’t agree with that anymore.