K-State Football: Report Card vs Kansas Jayhawks

Good news! One unit earned a good grade. Frankly, when you look at the stat score, it’s the major (and possibly only) reason K-State pulled out the victory. Not only that, there were multiple note-worth performances.

It’s not a stretch to say this was the difference in the game.

1. D.J. Reed had 2 kick returns for 152 yards and 1 touchdown
2. D.J. Reed had 1 punt return for 37 yards
3. Dominique Heath had 1 punt return for 14 yards
4. Byron Pringle had 1 punt return for 10 yards that set up a touchdown
5. Matthew McCrane went 3 for 3 on both field goals and extra points.

Not only did K-State get good returns, but they also completely flummoxed and panicked David Beaty. After the Reed kick return touchdown, Beaty ordered a short kickoff that gave K-State a starting field position of the 34 yard line.

Sure, you prevent another return, but giving K-State such great field position is a gamble you are going to lose. Beaty also got so afraid of punting that they started skying every punt and ended up with a horrible punting average of 32.3 yards on 6 punts.

It’s not a stretch to say this was the difference in the game.