K-State explodes in 2nd half for win over OSU
Manhattan, Kan. – It was another big day for Alex Barnes and Kansas State on the ground Saturday against Oklahoma State, but this time the Cats could walk away from the game feeling good about their performance.
It took a bit for the rushing attack to turn into points for K-State, as the Cats found themselves trailing 6-3 at halftime. Andrew Hicks, who is usually the K-State punter, had field goal duties for the day. He missed his first attempt from 51 yards out, but the second attempt was good.
K-State was held without a touchdown in the first half, making it the sixth half this season without a touchdown by Kansas State.
When K-State came out for the second half they made an early defensive statement forcing a three and out on the Oklahoma State offense. That stop gave Kansas State the energy to score on four straight possessions, all by Alex Barnes.
The first touchdown took 4:59 and went 70 yards which started a trend for the Wildcats who had three of their four touchdowns come on drives of 70 or more yards. Kansas State’s final four drives, not including the drive at the end of the game with a kneel down, produced touchdowns.
Barnes used this 181 yard, four touchdown performance to follow up his 250 yard, four touchdown performance in Waco, Texas last weekend versus Baylor. The four scores by Barnes tied his career high for a game.
Oklahoma State’s offense struggled through the day, Taylor Cornelius threw for 184 yards, but was also picked off twice by Duke Shelley. On the ground the Cowboys’ runningback Justice Hill only ran for 41 yards on 11 carries. This was the first time in the last two seasons that OSU didn’t win, when allowing less than 40 points.
Up Next: Kansas State enters their bye week before a road trip to Norman, Oklahoma to take on the Oklahoma Sooners who are on a bye this week, but will face TCU at Amon G Carter Stadium on October 20th.
