Three Positives:
Three Negatives:
It sucks, I won’t sugarcoat it. But this team was still great this season and the experience was a good one. Things still look really good for the Cats in the future.
PS: Would have liked more Adrian once the game was put away and a curtain call chance for Deuce.
- Deuce Vaughn: The K-State running back played in what could be his final game as a Wildcat and ripped off a big 88-yard touchdown run to put the Wildcats up 10-0. It was the biggest play allowed by Nick Saban since he had been at Alabama. Vaughn had an injury scare, but came back into the game and had a strong day for the Wildcats. If it was the last time for him, one hell of a career and one of the best Cats of all time.
- Kade Warner: Early in the game, Warner made a lot of plays and fought for extra yardage that gave the Wildcats’ offense a chance to score and move the ball. He even did it through what looked like holds or pass interference no calls. Warner’s two years at K-State were important and the offense was better because of him this year. It will be interesting to see who can take his role next season. Also, Warner got to finish his season as a conference champ and in a NY6 bowl. Where were those nasty Husker fans?
- You got Alabama’s best shot: Maybe I am alone in this, but I would rather show up and get somebody’s best shot than them discount me and not give you the best effort. Alabama had to show up and play their best and most complete game of the season against the Wildcats and they did that. It sucks that the outcome was what it was, but K-State forced Alabama to take them seriously and make big play after big play.
Three Negatives:
- Corners: A positive very easily could have been how the linebackers and defensive line played. I loved what they showed on Saturday and they halted the Alabama run defense for the most part. This forced the Crimson Tide to go to the air quite a bit. Something I highlighted as a possible point of advantage for the Wildcats. Unfortunately, the corners were not up to the task. Alabama’s receivers torched Ekow Boye-Doe and Julius Brents with speed and athleticism all day. The drive before half featured a tough go for Boye-Doe and then Brents gave up a touchdown on the opening drive of the second half.
- Klieman’s over-aggressiveness: I don’t hate going for it on fourth and goal before half, I don’t disagree with the timeout, I hated the onside kick. Since none of them work, they have to be negatives. Going 0/3 cost K-State the opportunity to stay in a closer game and see what happens. They went for broke, and they broke.
- Special Teams: Bad field position on returns, a failed onside kick, and two weird punts from Ty Zentner that backed up and went for low yardage meant that special teams was a net negative for K-State today. K-State needed special teams to pop in a good way for a shot at a win, and they didn’t even make it out of the game even.
It sucks, I won’t sugarcoat it. But this team was still great this season and the experience was a good one. Things still look really good for the Cats in the future.
PS: Would have liked more Adrian once the game was put away and a curtain call chance for Deuce.
