Kansas State Wildcats, LSU Tigers Selected for TaxAct Texas Bowl

The Kansas State Wildcats are heading to another bowl game in Texas. The Wildcats will face the SEC’s Louisiana State Tigers on Jan. 4, 2022.

NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, will host the Kansas State Wildcats and Louisiana State Tigers in the TaxAct Texas Bowl, Jan. 4, 2022. The game will be a primetime matchup, at 8 p.m. CST and will air on ESPN.

Chris Klieman’s Wildcats are no strangers to bowl games, as he is the first head coach in school history to lead his team to two bowl games in his first three seasons. Klieman expounded upon what the bowl selection means to him and the team.

“We are pleased to accept an invitation to play in the Texas Bowl,” Klieman said. “I am really proud of our team, especially our seniors, and our staff for their dedication throughout the season and display of our four core values – Discipline, Commitment, Toughness and Be Selfless. The story of the 2021 Wildcats still has one chapter to write, and we look forward to kick off the new year in Houston and preparing for a great LSU team in what will be an exciting Texas Bowl.”

Kansas State appeared in the inaugural Texas Bowl in 2006, losing to Rutgers 37-10. The Wildcats are 1-1 in the Texas Bowl, beating Texas A&M 33-28 in 2016. The Wildcats have won two of their past three bowl games and were bowl-eligible last year as well. 1999-2002 was the last time Kansas State won three bowl games in four years, and these Wildcats have a chance to match that.

“We are excited to be back in a bowl game, and congratulations to Coach Klieman and our football team on a great regular season,” said Kansas State Athletics Director Gene Taylor. “We look forward to showcasing our football program and Kansas State University in the Texas Bowl, and I know our fans – especially our alumni in Texas – are excited to show their outstanding support in Houston while our football student-athletes, coaches and staff are provided a great experience.”

Kansas State finished 7-5 on the season, despite low preseason expectations. The 2021 season saw many streaks, including a three-game losing streak to open Big 12 play followed immediately by a four-game winning streak. The Wildcats also won their 13th-straight game over the in-state rival Kansas Jayhawks and broke a five-game losing streak against the West Virginia Mountaineers.

Kansas State and LSU have only met once before, with the Tigers winning the 1980 matchup 21-0.