K-State (2-0) 

With no signs of slowing down, K-State dominated Washington State 34-7 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. The Wildcats outgained the Cougars 487-166 in total yards. K-State ran for 295 yards on the ground, delivering gut punch after gut punch, while looking disciplined and committing only two penalties.

Quarterback Avery Johnson continued his hot start to the year, completing 22-of-34 pass attempts for 192 yards and three touchdowns for the second week in a row. The only blemish on his record was two interceptions, one of which went back for six to end the half and became Washington State’s only offensive points. The strong running game continued, with junior running back Rodney Fields Jr. eclipsing the 100-yard mark for his second game in a row and scoring a 75-yard rushing touchdown on the Wildcats’ first play of the second half.

The nationally recognized defense didn’t want to be forgotten either. The Wildcats rank first nationally in passing yards allowed per game, second in total defense, third in scoring defense and 12th in third-down defense. For the second straight week, the Wildcats totaled eight or more tackles for loss. Over two games, K-State’s defense has allowed only 95 passing yards. Junior defensive end Wendell Gregory totaled five tackles, two sacks and three tackles for loss and played a key defensive role.

Tulane (1-1) 

The Green Wave return to Manhattan for the first time since upsetting K-State 17-10 in 2022. Head coach Will Hall earned his first win, defeating South Alabama 38-24 and bouncing back after a 17-3 loss to Duke in week one. 

Senior running back Jaylin Lucas has been the star of the offense and tallied 214 rushing yards on 11 attempts, slicing and dicing through the Jaguars’ defense. Lucas will need to lead the way for the Green Wave against the Wildcats.

Klein praised Tulane’s running game in his press conference Monday. 

“You can tell there is athleticism, there are instincts when he (Jaylin Lucas) carries the football,” Klein said. “Those guys, again, have good movement skills, they are competitive and they expect to win.” 

On the other side of the ball, Tulane will need to rely on its linebackers. Junior linebacker Dickson Agu led the charge for Tulane against South Alabama with 14 total tackles, while senior linebacker Makai Williams added eight tackles and two tackles for loss. Their ability to get into the backfield and disrupt plays will be key for the Green Wave if they want to slow down this K-State offense.