K-State Football: Three takeaways from the Cactus Bowl

Denzel Goolsby and the Defense

UCLA fans will counter that ESPN wonderboy Josh Rosen was hurt and it’s a good counter. To a team who has used three quarterbacks this season, I’m not sure it will get much play here. Heck, Devon Modster was still a four-star QB recruit surrounded by four-star talent that K-State football fans only dream about.

Like most quarterbacks against this defense, Modster was able to find some success. Eventually, the tide started to turn and where K-State used to let up 425 yards passing, they only allowed 295. Not only that, the defense turned in a dominating performance against the run, holding UCLA to 69 yards rushing on 25 carries.

I singled out Denzel Goolsby here as he won Cactus Bowl defensive MVP performances, but players like DJ Reed, Duke Shelley, and Jayd Kirby deserve mention as well.