PHOENIX — As Kansas State football completed the largest comeback in the school’s bowl history and trophies were hoisted across Chase Field, many still wondered, “What’s the point?”
K-State head coach Chris Klieman has the answer.
“When you have a big win to end the season, it can catapult you into a Big 12 championship,” he said, comparing it to K-State’s 2021 Texas Bowl win, followed by a conference title and Sugar Bowl appearance in 2022.
K-State joined Alabama, Clemson, Georgia and Oregon as programs with three consecutive 9-win seasons with a conference title. The Wildcats did it while dropping three of their last five games. After all, winning nine football games is not an easy feat.
“I know that there’s some disappointment,” Klieman said. “A lot of teams don’t win nine games, man. We just won nine friggin’ games, and we’re going to talk about a disappointment? I’m out of this business if that’s what we’re going to do, because it’s friggin’ hard to win. You look at what our guys did to win that ninth game? Man, I’m nothing but proud of these guys.”
Having similar success to perennial playoff programs has fans asking for more, and there’s reason to believe it’s on the way.
“It wasn’t how I envisioned the year to go, but I do believe that we’re building,” senior linebacker Austin Moore said. “And I’m just glad that I could help be a part of a win to catapult because I know the future is bright.”
The future is headlined by the standing sophomore trio of quarterback Avery Johnson, running back Dylan Edwards and receiver Jayce Brown — a core fittingly numbered 1,2,3 on the field. Redshirt freshman Joe Jackson, sporting No. 4, completes the picture of a dynamic offense.
The backfield of Johnson, Edwards and Jackson, behind returning center Sam Hecht, led the Wildcats to 347 yards in the Rate Bowl. In the air, Brown set the sophomore season receiving yards record at 823 and Johnson broke the school record with 25 passing touchdowns in a single season.
There’s already talk about breaking more.
“I’m going to try to come back and find things that I need to work on in the offseason,” Johnson said. “I left a lot of touchdowns out there today this season, so just continuing to grow and be a better passer so I can set the record again next year.”
While the offense offers lots of expectations, is there reason to doubt the defense?
Without star corner back Jacob Parrish, who declared for the NFL Draft, K-State allowed 41 against Rutgers and the defense was shoved around for a majority of the contest.
K-State relied a handful on young players to step up, namely true freshman Zashon Rich and redshirt freshman Donovan McIntosh. While there were growing pains, they settled in and helped the defense consecutive stops to help K-State complete its comeback.
“Those kids are really good players,” Klieman said. “They just need belief and confidence. It was fun to see Zashon and Donnie Mac get that belief and confidence today.”
Still, K-State has added veterans to its defense roster, including Arizona safety transfer Gunner Maldonado and Oklahoma cornerback transfer Jayden Rowe.
The Wildcats won’t be eased into action next year, kicking off the season against Iowa State in Ireland, looking to snap a two-game skid against the Cyclones.
