Kansas State Football: Running the ball is key to successful season

Kansas State football demolished Bowling Green on Saturday and while they excelled in just about everything, their run game was the key in this one and needs to continue to be the key moving forward.

So far so good for Chris Klieman and the Kansas State Wildcats! K-State smacked Bowling Green right in the mouth from the very beginning and never let up, ultimately winning 52-0.

Now, let’s not get too caught up in everything, as the Wildcats have played two non-conference non-Power 5 opponents in their first two games. That being said, KSU can only play who’s on their schedule and so far they’ve achieved all they can do masterfully through two games.

The run game has been electric for Kansas State early on, as they continued to gash their opponent on the ground in week two. They had rushed for over 100 yards after the first quarter and ended the day with 333 yards to go along with FIVE (count ’em: FIVE) rushing touchdowns.

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While Kansas State probably doesn’t have a legitimate shot to make a lot of noise in the Big 12 this year, their run game is their best bet moving forward. Between James Gilbert, Jordon Brown, Jacardia Wright, and even quarterback Skylar Thompson getting in on the action, K-State is set up nicely to run all over teams this year.

K-State has typically been a run first kind of team, but this year in particular, they’re really showing that that’s their bread and butter. The two graduate transfers have helped the Wildcats get to this point and they’ll need to keep grinding as the games get tougher.

Next week comes a much tougher match-up, as KSU will hit the road for the first time this season. It’s against Mississippi State of the SEC, who knocked Kansas State around quite a bit last year in Manhattan. Next week’s game will be the first true test for Klieman, as he’ll get his first Power-5 opponent during his tenure with the Wildcats.

Even with the run game being the main point of emphasis for Kansas State football, their passing game did its part on Saturday. Thompson threw for 151 yards before coming out of the game due to it being a blowout. He also threw for two touchdowns with both of those going to Malik Knowles (who also had 99 receiving yards off of five receptions).

The run game is key for Kansas State as we progress into the season and if they continue to grind to this extent, the sky is the limit for the Wildcats in 2019.