MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Bill Snyder was so miffed at Kansas State’s inability to stop Central Arkansas’s option Saturday night that he jokingly promised his defense would be back on the field at midnight for practice.

At least Jesse Ertz and the Wildcats’ offense earned the rest of the night off.

Ertz threw for 333 yards and four touchdowns in only three quarters of work and seven Wildcats reached the end zone as No. 20 Kansas State overcame a shaky outing by its defense to pound the overmatched Bears 55-19 in the season opener for both teams.

“Jesse really played well,” Snyder said. “There were two visible throws, maybe three that were truly off the mark. Outside of that I thought he threw it awfully well, and managed it well.”

He managed it so well that his quarterback rating of 319.8 broke the school record.

“Jesse was great all camp, all summer,” said Byron Pringle, who had three catches for 121 yards and a score. “Hopefully we’ll see more Jesse like that.”

Isaiah Harris added three catches for 118 yards and a touchdown, and Isaiah Zuber and Dalton Schoen also scored through the air for the Wildcats. Alex Barnes and Dalvin Warmack had touchdown runs while D.J. Reed returned a punt 62 yards for another score.

Things weren’t quite so rosy for the Wildcats on defense.

Hayden Hildebrand threw for 198 yards and a touchdown for Central Arkansas, one of the top teams in the Football Championship Subdivision. Carlos Blackman added 114 yards on the ground, often getting loose when the Wildcats were unable to defend the Bears’ option attack.

“Yeah, we’ll practice tonight at midnight on playing the option,” Snyder said with a wry grin. “I mean, for somebody to be able to continually run the same play over and over and get positive yardage out of it tells a bad story. We have to get better.”

Snyder, who underwent treatment for throat cancer in the offseason, looked as energetic as ever on the sideline in his familiar purple wind breaker, barking at players and officials alike all night.

The 77-year-old coach had plenty to bark about, too.

The Bears played the Wildcats to a 10-10 draw through the first quarter, but Zuber’s TD reception and Reed’s punt return score blew the game open. The backups were in by the fourth quarter, and backup quarterback Skylar Thompson punctuated the night by leading Kansas State to one more touchdown.

“It was a very disappointing loss,” Bears coach Steve Campbell said. “We knew before we came in here that if you had flaws and weaknesses, Kansas State is the type of team that will shine a fluorescent light on it completely,”

THE TAKEAWAY

Central Arkansas: The Bears returned 18 starters from a 10-win team, so it wasn’t a surprise they made things tough on Kansas State early. But they didn’t have enough speed, size or depth to hang with a team that many think could contend for a Big 12 championship.

Kansas State: There were plenty of teaching points after this one, regardless of the score. The defense blew too many coverages and gave up too many yards, and the defensive line was often manhandled by the Bears up front. Central Arkansas finished with 223 yards rushing.

GROUNDED GROUND GAME

The Wildcats expect to have one of the Big 12’s best running games, but they were bottled up most of the night. Their two quarterbacks were their top two rushers, while Barnes managed just 29 yards on nine carries. “I don’t think we played poorly, they just did a really good job against our running game,” he said. “That’s what opened up the passing game.”

SILMON MISSING

Kansas State running back Justin Silmon, who is listed as the co-starter with Barnes, did not dress for the game. When asked about his status, Snyder replied: “We’re hiding him.” Then, he admitted that Silmon “will be out for probably two ballgames,” but did not elaborate on why.

D.J. DOES IT ALL

Reed’s punt return TD atoned for a kickoff return to start the game, which he brought back 96 yards only to get caught short of the end zone. “I’d like for his conditioning to be better,” Snyder said, “but that’s my fault, not his. We’ll make up for that this week.”

UP NEXT

Central Arkansas visits fellow FCS school Murray State next Saturday night.

Kansas State plays Charlotte next Saturday before hitting the road to Vanderbilt.

— Associated Press —

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State sophomore Reggie Walker is one of 34 players in the nation to be named to the watch list for the 2017 Ted Hendricks Award, presented annually to the nation’s best defensive end, the Ted Hendricks Foundation has announced.

It marks the second-straight year a Wildcat is up for the award as Jordan Willis was on the 2016 preseason and midseason watch lists. Ryan Mueller was a two-time candidate (2013-14), while Ian Campbell was up for the award three times (2006-08), including being a semifinalist in 2006. Meshak Williams was also a candidate for the award during K-State’s Big 12 Championship season of 2012.

Walker’s inclusion on the Hendricks Award watch list is his third preseason honor as he was named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list and was a Preseason All-Big 12 pick by the league’s media.

The 2016 Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year and a Freshman All-American, Walker played in all 13 games with 11 starts last year as he carded 11.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. The Ponchatoula, Louisiana, native ranked fourth nationally among freshmen in sacks, while he led all Big 12 freshmen in both sacks and TFLs. Walker had a stellar end to his freshman campaign as he totaled 5.5 TFLs and 3.5 sacks over the final four games, which included a career-best 2.0 sacks at TCU.

K-State, which is ranked 19th in the Preseason Amway Coaches’ Poll and 20th by the Associated Press, opens the 2017 campaign on Saturday, September 2, with a 6:10 p.m., contest against Central Arkansas inside Bill Snyder Family Stadium.

— K-State Athletics —

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Thanks to the backing of 18 returning starters, Kansas State was ranked 19th in the nation in the Preseason Amway Coaches Poll released on Thursday.

It was the first time the Wildcats were ranked in the preseason coaches’ poll since checking in at No. 21 in 2014. K-State also ranked 21st in the 2012 preseason survey, while this year’s ranking is the highest since the Wildcats were 12th in 2004.

Other Big 12 programs joining the Wildcats in the 2017 Preseason Amway Coaches Poll were Oklahoma (8th), Oklahoma State (11th), West Virginia (20th) and Texas (23rd).

K-State returns 44 letterwinners from last year’s squad that earned a 9-4 record, featured by a 6-1 mark over the final seven games. The season was capped by a 33-28 victory over Texas A&M in the 2016 Texas Bowl. The Wildcats, who were predicted to finish third in the Big 12 by the league’s media, placed four players on the Preseason All-Big 12 team in fullback Winston Dimel, offensive lineman Dalton Risner, defensive back D.J. Reed, and defensive end Reggie Walker.

Head coach Bill Snyder, a 2015 inductee into the College Football Hall of Fame, begins his 26th year at the helm of the Wildcats with a 202-105-1 record, including a 118-80-1 mark in Big 8/12 play.

The Wildcats open the 2017 season with the ninth-annual K-State Family Reunion against Central Arkansas at 6:10 p.m., on Saturday, September 2. K-State then hosts Charlotte on September 9 prior to traveling to Nashville, Tennessee, for a matchup against SEC foe Vanderbilt on September 16.

— K-State Athletics —

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State running backs Justin Silmon and Alex Barnes were two of 61 running backs in the nation to earn a spot on the watch list for the 2017 Doak Walker Award, the PwC SMU Athletic Forum announced Thursday.

It marks the first time in school history that two K-State players are up for the award in the same season, while it is the 15th and 16th times a Wildcat is a candidate for the award that is presented to the nation’s premier running back.

Silmon, a junior, saw action in 12 games in 2016, including his first-career start at West Virginia as he rushed 86 times for 485 yards (5.4-yard average) with three touchdowns. He ended the regular season on a high note with 133 yards and two touchdowns at TCU, both career highs. The Tulsa, Oklahoma, product teamed with Jesse Ertz (170 yards) to produce the Wildcats’ first double 100-yard game since 2012, while it was tied for the third-most combined yards in a double 100-yard game in school history.

A sophomore, Barnes totaled 442 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 56 carries in 2016, ranking second in school history in rushing yards and touchdowns by a freshman, while he tied for 10th nationally in rushing touchdowns among freshmen. The Pittsburg, Kansas, product averaged 7.89 yards per carry, which led the Big 12 and ranked first in school history among players with 50 or more attempts, and he was the only player in the Big 12 with at least 50 attempts to not have a negative rush.

Barnes carded career highs in yards (129), carries (19) and rushing touchdowns (4) at Baylor, setting the K-State freshman single-game rushing touchdown record and ranking third in rushing yards. He came back with 103 yards the next game against Kansas, the first freshman in school history with consecutive 100-yard games.

The Wildcats open the 2017 campaign and a seven-game home schedule on Saturday, September 2, with the ninth-annual K-State Family Reunion against Central Arkansas.

— K-State Athletics —

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State head coach Bill Snyder is one of 19 FBS coaches to be named to the watch list for the 2017 Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Trophy, the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl announced Wednesday.

Snyder, a 2015 inductee into the College Football Hall of Fame, is one of only two Big 12 coaches on this year’s list, joining Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy. Snyder has won the Dodd Trophy on two occasions as he led the Wildcats to a 11-0 regular season in 1998 and a Big 12 Championship in 2012.

The Dodd Trophy, college football’s most coveted coaching award, celebrates the head coach of a team who enjoys success on the gridiron, while also stressing the importance of scholarship, leadership and integrity – the three pillars of legendary coach Bobby Dodd’s philosophy.

The watch list was created through a selection process by the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, taking into consideration each program’s graduation rate, commitment to service and charity in the community, projected success for the 2017 season and Academic Progress Rate (APR).

Entering his 26th season at the helm of the Wildcats, Snyder became just the sixth FBS coach ever to notch 200 career wins and only coach at one school as he enters the 2017 season with a 202-105-1 record, including a 118-80-1 mark in Big 8/12 contests. He has totaled at least eight wins in 15 seasons, including nine years with 10 or more victories.

After being predicted to finish eighth in the Big 12 in 2016, Snyder led the Wildcats to a 9-4 campaign – including a 6-3 mark in league action to finish fourth – which ended with a victory over Texas A&M in the 2016 Texas Bowl. The Wildcats bring back 14 starters – eight on offense and six on defense – as they landed third on this year’s Big 12 Preseason Poll.

Snyder has an impeccable reputation of developing players both on the field, in the classroom and in the community. In his 25 previous seasons, 84-percent of his players have obtained their undergraduate degrees, while the Wildcats lead the conference with 83 Academic All-Big 12 selections over the last three seasons, 20 more than the team in second place.

A valuable member of the community, Snyder has also led the charge for his players to be active in the Manhattan area as they are involved in multiple community-service activities including: Senior Kats (visiting retirement homes); Junior Kats (visiting middle schools); Cats in the Classroom (visiting elementary schools); Special Olympics and Adopt-a-Family. K-State Football has also partnered with units from nearby Fort Riley and are currently active with the 1-16 Infantry Division of the U.S. Army, known as the Iron Rangers.

K-State embarks on the 2017 campaign and opens a seven-game home schedule on Saturday, September 2, against Central Arkansas.

— K-State Athletics —

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Led by a trio of juniors, Kansas State totaled four football players named to the Preseason All-Big 12 team as chosen by media representatives who cover the league, the conference office announced Wednesday.

Winston Dimel (fullback), Dalton Risner (offensive line) and D.J. Reed (defensive back) were joined by sophomore Reggie Walker (defensive line) to give the Wildcats the third-most players on the list behind Texas and defending champion Oklahoma. Dimel was named to the preseason team for a second-straight year, while the other three are first-time honorees.

Dimel, Risner and Reed each earned 2016 First Team All-Big 12 honors from the league’s coaches, while Walker was the Defensive Freshman of the Year, as they led K-State to a 9-4 record and a victory in the Texas Bowl.

A product of Manhattan, Dimel has started all 26 career games and has 18 career rushing touchdowns, five shy of entering the school’s top-10 list. He is coming off a season in which he registered 12 rushing touchdowns, which tied for third in the Big 12.

Risner started all 13 games at right tackle in 2016 after starting every game at center the year prior. Both he and Dimel were an integral part to K-State’s rushing attack, which set the school record for rushing yards per carry (5.27) and ranked in the top 10 in three other categories.

Reed, a community-college transfer prior to last year, was the 2016 Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year after ranking fifth nationally and tying for third in school history with a Big 12-leading 19 passes defended. A member of the 2017 Bednarik Award watch list, Reed tied for second on the team with 75 tackles to go along with three interceptions.

A native of Ponchatoula, Louisiana, Walker collected 11.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks to earn Freshman All-America honors from the Football Writers Association of America. He finished seventh in the Big 12 in sacks and eighth in TFLs but was tops among freshmen in both categories, while he ranked fourth nationally among freshmen in sacks.

Risner and Reed, along with other team captains Jesse Ertz, Trent Tanking and Dayton Valentine in addition to head coach Bill Snyder, will represent K-State at 2017 Big 12 Football Media Day next Tuesday at The Star in Frisco, Texas. Fans can follow media day coverage on K-State Football’s official Twitter handle, @KStateFB, and the Big 12 website, www.big12sports.com. The two-day event will also be televised live from 9 a.m., to 1 p.m., on FS2 and various FOX Sports Regional Networks, including FOX Sports Midwest and FOX Sports Kansas City.

Kansas State begins is 2017 season and seven-game home schedule with the ninth-annual K-State Family Reunion on Saturday, September 2, against Central Arkansas.

— K-State Athletics —

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State senior quarterback Jesse Ertz and junior defensive back D.J. Reed were named to the 2017 preseason watch lists for the Maxwell and Bednarik awards, respectively, the Maxwell Football Club announced Monday.

The honors are the first of each player’s career. Ertz is the first Wildcat to be up for the Maxwell Award, given to the College Player of the Year, since 2014 when quarterback Jake Waters was one of 20 semifinalists and Tyler Lockett was a preseason candidate. Reed’s inclusion on the Bednarik Award marks the sixth-straight season a Wildcat has been a candidate for the College Defensive Player of the Year.

Ertz, the MVP of the 2016 Texas Bowl, was one of three quarterbacks in school history to rush for 1,000 yards (1,012) and throw for 1,500 yards (1,755), while he was one of only four in the nation a year ago to accomplish the feat. He recorded the school’s 15th 1,000-yard rushing season, while he was the third-fastest player in school history to reach 1,000 rushing yards.

A product of Burlington, Iowa, Ertz enters his senior campaign holding the school’s career record for lowest interception percentage (1.52 percent), ranked fourth in 100-yard rushing games among quarterbacks (3) and fifth in career rushing yards among quarterbacks (1,063).

Reed, a community-college transfer from Cerritos College, picked up 2016 Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year honors from the league’s coaches after tying for second on the team with 75 tackles to go along with three interceptions and a Big 12-leading 19 passes defended. A First Team All-Big 12 pick, Reed tied for third in school history and fifth nationally during the 2016 season in passes defended. He also tied for team-high honors with three interceptions, a mark that tied for seventh in the Big 12.

The Wildcats open their seven-game home slate and the 2017 season with the ninth-annual K-State Family Reunion on Saturday, September 2, against Central Arkansas

— K-State Athletics —

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Kansas State senior forward Wesley Iwundu was selected with the No. 33 pick by the Orlando Magic in the 2017 NBA Draft presented by State Farm on Thursday night at the Barclays Center.

Iwundu is the first player to be drafted out of K-State since Michael Beasley (Miami Heat) and Bill Walker (Washington Wizards) were taken in the 2008 NBA Draft with the second and 47th selections, respectively. He is third-highest draft pick for the Wildcats in the Lottery era, following Beasley (No. 2) and Mitch Richmond (No. 5 in 1988). He is the sixth consecutive K-State player selected in either the first or second round dating back to 1987.

Overall, Iwundu is the 50th Wildcat selected in the NBA Draft dating back to 1947.

Iwundu becomes the first K-State player to ever be drafted as well as the first to play for the Orlando Magic. He was joined in the Magic draft class by Florida State’s Jonathan Isaac (No. 6), Latvia’s Anzejs Pasecniks (No. 25), California’s Ivan Rabb (No. 35).

“I couldn’t be happier for Wes and his family for realizing the dream of playing in the NBA,” said head coach Bruce Weber. “I’m so very proud of him for not only developing into an NBA caliber player, but also into a quality person off the basketball court. He made tremendous strides on the court and in the classroom during his time at K-State. Wes had a dream and he went after it. This is a proud moment for me and the coaching staff.”

Iwundu is the sixth draft pick developed by Weber in his head coaching career, joining former Illinois players Deron Williams (2005), Luther Head (2005), James Augustine (2006), Dee Brown (2006) and Meyers Leonard (2012).

Iwundu was the third of six Big 12 players selected in the draft, joining Kansas’ Josh Jackson (No. 4, Phoenix Suns), Texas’ Jarrett Allen (No. 22, Brooklyn Nets), Kansas’ Frank Mason III (No. 34, Sacramento Kings) and Oklahoma State’s Jawun Evans (No. 39, Philadelphia 76ers), Iowa State’s Monte Morris (No. 51, Denver Nuggets). It marks the second straight year that six Big 12 players went in the NBA Draft.

Iwundu developed into one of the top all-around players in school history, becoming the first Wildcat to record at least 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 300 assists and 100 steals in a career as he finished with 1,249 points, 618 rebounds, 366 assists and 121 steals. He is one of six Wildcats to tally 1,200 points and 600 rebounds, joining Rolando Blackman, Bob Boozer, Thomas Gipson, Rodney McGruder and Ed Nealy. The school’s all-time starts leader, he finished his career in the Top 15 in seven career categories, including scoring (1,249/14th), rebounding (618/12th), assists (366/4th), steals (121/5th), minutes played (3,728/3rd), games (132/5th) and starts (124/1st).

Iwundu was the fourth college senior to be selected in the NBA Draft and one of just nine taken in the draft’s two rounds, joining Colorado’s Derrick White, Villanova’s Josh Hart and Miami’s Davon Reed. He is the first four-year K-State player selected in the draft since Steve Henson in 1990.

Iwundu is one of just six Wildcats in the Big 12 era to earn All-Big 12 First, Second or Third Team honors twice in a career, earning recognition to the Coaches’ Third Team in both 2016 and 2017.

In his 132-game career, Iwundu averaged 9.5 points on 46.3 percent shooting (425-of-917), including 33.8 percent (51-of-151) from 3-point range, with 4.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 0.9 steals in 28.2 minutes per game.

Iwundu saved his most productive season for his senior year in 2016-17, as he led the Wildcats in 15 categories, including scoring (13.0 ppg.), double-digit scoring games (26), field goals made (151), free throws made (122), free throw percentage (76.7), double-doubles (5) and rebounding (6.3 rpg.). He joined Mitch Richmond (1987-88) as the only Wildcats in school history to tally 400+ points, 200+ rebounds and 100+ assists in a single season.

Iwundu was the only Big 12 player to rank in the league’s Top 15 in scoring (15th), field goal percentage (10th), free throw percentage (11th), rebounding (9th) and assists (12th) in 2016-17, while he joined West Virginia’s Jevon Carter as the only Big 12 players to rank in the Top 15 in all 5 categories in league-only games.

For his senior season, Iwundu averaged 13.0 points on 48.1 percent shooting (151-of-314), including 37.6 percent (32-of-85) from 3-point range, with 6.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.0 steals in 31.4 minutes per game. In Big 12 play, he averaged 13.3 points on 47.8 percent shooting (77-of-161), including 40 percent (16-of-40) in 3-point range, with 7.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.2 steals in 33.5 minutes per game.

A Third Team All-Big 12 selection, Iwundu led the Wildcats in scoring a team-best 10 times, including a career-best 24 points in the NCAA First Four win over Wake Forest on March 14 – which was the school’s first NCAA Tournament victory since 2012. He averaged 21.5 points in NCAA Tournament action on 57.9 percent shooting (11-of-19), including 57.1 percent (4-of-7) from long range, with 5 rebounds and 5 assists in 31 minutes per game.

With Iwundu leading the way, K-State posted strong offensive statistics in 2016-17, including Top 10 single-season marks for points (2,523), scoring average (72.1), field goal percentage (46.1), 3-point field goals made (247), 3-point field goal perentage (36.2) and assists (522).

K-State collected 73 wins and earned a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances during Iwundu’s four-year career, which included a 21-win campaign and trip to the NCAA South Regional First Round as a senior in 2016-17. The 21 wins were the most since the 2012-13 season, while the 8 in Big 12 play were the most since 2013-14.

— KSU Athletics —

Kansas State granted a scholarship release to Corey Sutton on Friday following 24 hours of intense criticism over coach Bill Snyder’s refusal of the wide receiver’s request.

Snyder and athletic director Gene Taylor said in a statement that Sutton has been granted a full release and will be permitted to transfer to any schools he requested. Sutton had supplied the school with a list of 35 schools, none of them in the Big 12 or future opponents of the Wildcats.

“After having further dialogue with Coach Snyder and the Sutton family, we believe that it is in everyone’s best interest to grant Corey his full release,” Taylor said. “We wish Corey the best as he continues his athletic and academic career.”

Sutton announced his desire to transfer last month, claiming Snyder and position coach Andre Coleman did not follow through on playing time promises. The native of Charlotte, North Carolina, then took his plea to Twitter, calling Snyder a “slave master” in a series of social media posts.

Sutton appeared in 10 games as a freshman last season, catching four passes for 54 yards.

Snyder denied any promises of playing time during a local appearance Thursday night, and said he was merely standing by his policy regarding transfers. Snyder said he believes prospects make a commitment to the program when they sign a national letter of intent, just as he makes a commitment to them with a scholarship.

Without a release, Sutton could have transferred but would not have been eligible for an athletic scholarship his first season. He told The Wichita Eagle that would have been financially impossible.

Snyder also appeared to indicate Sutton had “tested positive twice” for drugs while at the school, though he declined to elaborate and later backtracked the statement. Snyder apologized for the comment “that included sensitive and private information.”

“I spoke out of line and for that I express a sincere regret for my comments,” he said.

— Associated Press —