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Category: Kansas State

Kansas State makes a jump in both polls

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Following its 24-17 win over Missouri on Saturday, Kansas State moved up several spots in both national polls on Sunday as the Wildcats checked in at No. 17 in this week’s AP poll and No. 18 in the USA Today Coaches poll.

K-State has now made appearances in the rankings in consecutive weeks for the first time since 2004, while the No. 17 ranking is the highest since checking in at No. 13 that same season.

Following Saturday’s win over Missouri, K-State improved to 5-0 for the sixth time in head coach Bill Snyder’s 20 seasons and moved to 2-0 in Big 12 play for the first time since 2000.

The Wildcats begin a two-game road swing this Saturday when they visit Texas Tech (4-1, 1-1) for a 6 p.m. nationally-televised conference matchup on Fox Sports Net.

Following a road trip to Kansas the following week, K-State returns home October 29 to face top-ranked Oklahoma for homecoming. Tickets remain available and can be purchased online at www.k-statesports.com, by calling 1-800-221-CATS and at the Athletics Ticket Office in Bramlage Coliseum.

— KSU Sports Information —

K-State at Texas Tech to air on national TV

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Kansas State’s Big 12 football matchup at Texas Tech will air to a full FSN national audience as Fox Sports Net and the Big 12 Conference announced Monday television selections for October 15.

The game will kick at 6 p.m. from Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas, and mark the sixth straight week that a Wildcat football game will be televised this season.

The 20th-ranked Wildcats (4-0, 1-0) host Missouri (2-2, 0-1) this Saturday at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Tickets still remain for the 2:30 p.m., ABC-televised game for as little as $40, and fans that attended the Baylor game can receive $10 off the price of admission with their ticket from last week’s contest.

Fans can order tickets for any of the four remaining home games online at www.k-statesports.com, by phone at 1-800-221-CATS or at the ticket office located inside Bramlage Coliseum. The ticket office will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. this week or until the Missouri game is sold out.

— KSU Sports Information —

Two Wildcats earn weekly Big 12 honors

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Christine Michael (Texas A&M), Arthur Brown (Kansas State) and Anthony Cantele (Kansas State) have been named Big 12 Conference Football Players of the Week, as selected by a media panel.Cantele (special teams) was recognized for the second time in his career while Michael (offense) and Brown (defense) picked up their first honor.

Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week

Christine Michael, Texas A&M, RB, Jr, Beautmont, Texas

Christine Michael rushed for a career-high 230 yards on 32 carries in Texas A&M’s 42-38 loss to Arkansas. He scored three touchdowns on runs of 48, 29 and four yards. Michael also caught two balls for seven yards.

Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week

Arthur Brown, Kansas State, LB, Jr, Wichita, Kan.

With Kansas State behind 35-33, Arthur Brown forced Robert Griffin III into his first interception of the season, which set up the Wildcats’ game-winning field goal by Anthony Cantele. Brown, who has averaged over eight tackles a game in 2011, then sacked Griffin on first down and also collected another stop on third down during the Bears’ final drive of the game to seal the win. For the game, Brown recorded eight tackles and 1.5 sacks for K-State, which is now 4-0 on the season after the 36-35 victory.

Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week

Anthony Cantele, Kansas State, PK, Jr, Wichita, Kan.

Anthony Cantele drilled a career-high three field goals, including the game-winner with 3:10 left in the fourth quarter, as Kansas State moved to 4-0 on the season after a 36-35 win over No. 15 Baylor. The junior connected on field goals of 28 and 37 yards to give the Wildcats a 13-7 lead in the first quarter. Following Robert Griffin III’s first interception of the season, the Wildcats moved the ball to the Baylor 15-yard line to set up Cantele’s 31-yard kick that completed the fourth-quarter comeback.

— Big12Sports.com —

Kansas State now ranked for the first time in four years

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Kansas State’s 4-0 start and 36-35 comeback win over No. 15 Baylor have catapulted the Wildcats into the national rankings this week as K-State checked in at No. 20 in this week’s AP poll and No. 21 in the USA Today Coaches poll.

K-State last made an appearance in the Top 25 back in 2007 when it was ranked 25th in the AP poll following a win against Colorado on October 13, while this week’s rankings were the highest by a Wildcat team since it checked in at No. 13 back in 2004. It also marked the first time since 2004 that a K-State team appeared in both polls during the same week.

Following Saturday’s win over Baylor, K-State improved to 4-0 for the second straight season and the 11th time in head coach Bill Snyder’s 20 seasons.

A total of six Big 12 teams appeared in one or both national polls this week with a seventh team just outside the rankings and receiving votes.

The Wildcats will make their second straight appearance on ABC Saturday as they host Missouri at Bill Snyder Family Stadium for Harley Day. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m.

— KSU Sports Information —

K-State rallies to defeat No. 15 Baylor

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Robert Griffin III threw his first interception of the year at exactly the wrong moment.

Arthur Brown picked off Baylor’s star quarterback in the closing minutes Saturday, setting up a 31-yard field goal by Anthony Cantele that sent unbeaten Kansas State to a 36-35 upset over the No. 15 Bears.

Collin Klein threw for 146 yards and two touchdowns and added 113 yards and another score for the Wildcats (4-0), who won their third straight Big 12 opener — this one in dramatic fashion.

Kansas State trailed 35-26 midway through the fourth quarter when Klein engineered a 13-play, 70-yard drive that he capped with a short touchdown plunge.

Still, Baylor (3-1) took over needing only a couple first downs to wrap up its first 4-0 start since 1991. Instead, Griffin missed Brown sliding over across the middle and Kansas State’s defensive captain hauled in the throw after a slight, heart-stopping bobble.

It was the first interception thrown by Griffin all season.

Cantele, who missed earlier in the game from 42 yards, hit the go-ahead field goal with 3:10 left to set off a raucous celebration at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.

The Bears still had time, especially given their quick-strike ability. But Brown sacked Griffin on first down moments later, and after two plays covered just 11 yards, Griffin’s fourth-down pass intended for Kendall Wright fell incomplete.

The ending spoiled another virtuoso performance for Griffin, who has emerged as an early Heisman Trophy contender. He came into the game having thrown more touchdown passes than incompletions, and it remained that way until late in the fourth quarter.

Griffin finished 23 of 31 for 346 yards and five touchdowns — and one big interception.

Most of Griffin’s offense was directed at Wright, who caught nine passes for a school-record 201 yards and three TDs. Gerald McNeil had held the previous record since 1981.

None of the Bears’ five scoring drives took more than 2 minutes, 36 seconds, even though all of them covered at least 48 yards. That included a two-play, 75-yard drive that took all of 20 seconds late in the first half that gave them a 21-19 lead at the break.

Kansas State pulled ahead early in the third quarter, thanks to Klein’s 63-yard run and Angelo Pease’s 12-yard touchdown scamper, but the Bears quickly found an answer.

Griffin connected with Wright on fourth-and-5 on the Bears’ ensuing possession, with Wright laying out in the end zone to make a diving over-the-shoulder grab as he slid out of bounds for a 34-yard touchdown catch. Officials upheld the play and Baylor led 28-26.

The Wildcats put together another promising drive, but Klein was picked off by Baylor safety Sam Holl at the Bears’ 33. Griffin immediately hit Wright for 23 yards, and seven plays later, the pair connected again for a dazzling 35-yard touchdown reception. It capped an eight-play, 79-yard drive that took just 2:36 off the clock and pushed Baylor ahead 35-26.

Too much time was left, as it turned out.

Behind another gutsy performance by Klein, the Wildcats marched downfield for a touchdown to get within 35-33, and the defense — which stopped Miami four times at the goal line in a 28-24 win a week ago — once again made the biggest plays of the game when they mattered most.

— Associated Press —

KSU’s Klein honored by O’Brien Foundation

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Kansas State junior quarterback Collin Klein received honorable mention accolades for the Davey O’Brien Quarterback Award’s Quarterback of the Week, the foundation announced today.

Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden won the weekly award, but the college football world certainly took notice of Klein’s performance in the Cats’ 28-24 win at Miami last weekend.

Against the Hurricanes, Klein had a career day in his fifth career start under center as he finished 12-of-18 for 133 yards and a career-high two touchdowns. His 133 passing yards were also a new career high, besting his previous high of 128 yards in the season opener against Eastern Kentucky. He started the game off on a high note as he was a perfect 6-for-6 for 80 yards in the first quarter. The junior also rushed 22 times for 93 yards and one touchdown in the win.

Founded in 1977, the Davey O’Brien Foundation recognizes champions on and off the field through awards programs encouraging academic and career success. The Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award is presented annually to the nation’s best college quarterback and is the oldest and most prestigious national quarterback award. The O’Brien honors candidates who exemplify Davey O’Brien’s enduring character while exhibiting teamwork, sportsmanship and leadership in both academics and athletics. For more information, visit www.DaveyOBrien.org.

Fewer than 3,000 tickets still remain for Saturday’s ABC-televised matchup with No. 15 Baylor but are going fast following two sellout crowds for the Eastern Kentucky and Kent State games. Bowl and sideline level tickets are available for $55, while reserved view level tickets are available for just $35. Additionally, military personnel and veterans can purchase tickets for just $20 for Fort Riley Day at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.

— KSU Sports Information —

Goal line stand helps Kansas State win at Miami

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Kansas State stopped Miami quarterback Jacory Harris’ fourth-down run at the goal line with 49 seconds left, capping a brilliant late stand that sealed the Wildcats’ 28-24 win over the Hurricanes on Saturday.

John Hubert ran for 166 yards and the go-ahead touchdown for the Wildcats (3-0). Collin Klein passed for two scores and ran for another for Kansas State, which blew an 11-point halftime lead before rallying.

Harris threw for 272 yards and two touchdowns for Miami (1-2), which got 106 yards and a touchdown from Lamar Miller. Miami had first-and-goal at the Kansas State 2 with 1:52 left, but a first-down pass fell incomplete, two Mike James runs were stopped and then Harris’ knee was deemed down by replay officials after the on-field call was that he scored.

“We have no one to blame but ourselves,” Miami coach Al Golden said.

It was the 145th time in the last 150 games where Kansas State won when leading at halftime, and the Wildcats earned this one.

Miller’s 59-yard touchdown run with 2:52 left in the third quarter got Miami within 21-17, and Harris found Travis Benjamin with a 34-yard scoring pass 43 seconds into the fourth quarter to give Miami a three-point lead.

A short-lived lead, at that.

Bolstered by a 47-yard run by Hubert on third-and-1 — Miami was in something akin to goal-line defense, with just about everyone on the line of scrimmage 70 yards from its own end zone — Kansas State went 80 yards on eight plays. Hubert’s burst from 2 yards out capped the drive, putting Miami in need of late heroics.

Harris almost delivered.

Buoyed along by 33-yard pass to Chase Ford, and a pass interference call against Kansas State’s Nigel Malone in the end zone, the Hurricanes were 2 yards away from the win with four plays to get there. They wound up a few inches short.

“We have to execute,” Golden said. “That’s on us. We didn’t get it done.”

Klein finished with 93 yards rushing for Kansas State, which won despite being outgained 411-398. His arms bloodied from a few scrapes with the Florida Marlins’ infield dirt, Klein completed 12 of 18 passes for 133 yards.

Harris completed 21 of 31 passes, and Benjamin caught six balls for 91 yards to lead Miami.

Klein set the tone on the first possession, leading K-State 63 yards on 11 plays and going in from 2 yards out to give the Wildcats a 7-3 lead with 5:57 left in the first quarter. He was a perfect 6-for-6 passing for 80 yards in the first quarter – against a Miami defense that in four quarters against Ohio State last week allowed four completed passes for 35 yards.

Klein connected with Tyler Lockett from 20 yards out with 13:28 left in the half, and the Wildcats were up 14-3.

Here’s how good Klein was: When Kansas State seemed on the brink of trouble, his feet were more than enough to keep the Wildcats afloat.

“Their quarterback played exceptional,” Golden said. “Got to give Kansas State credit.”

The Wildcats committed penalties on four consecutive plays midway through the second quarter – holding on a completed pass, then two false starts sandwiched around a delay of game while Miami linebacker Sean Spence waved his arms to incite more noise from the decidedly less-than-full stadium. After John Hubert was stuffed on an option pitch, Kansas State faced 2nd-and-29 from its own 3.

Just when it seemed like Miami was ready to grab some momentum, Klein took over.

A 26-yard scamper while taking off from his own end zone on second down, followed by a 13-yard run on the next play, got Kansas State near midfield and averted disaster. Miami eventually forced a punt, but did nothing with the ensuing possession and went into the locker room down by 11 points.

A pair of false starts doomed Miami in the first quarter. The Hurricanes settled for a field goal on the game’s opening drive when Jon Feliciano jumped early on third-and-1 from the Kansas State 17. And later in the period, Joel Figueroa — who had just entered the game after Brandon Washington limped off shaken up — moved early on a fourth-and-4 play where Harris had two open receivers and wound up forcing the Hurricanes to punt.

Those mistakes wound up costing Miami dearly in the end.

— Associated Press —

Kansas State releases 2012 baseball schedule

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A nine-day road trip in California to open the year and 30 home games – including three against in-state rival Kansas – highlight the 2012 baseball schedule released by head coach Brad Hill on Monday.

The Wildcats, who are coming off their third-straight NCAA Regional appearance, will play 16 games against teams that made the NCAA tournament a year ago, including six against College World Series participants.

“We were able to put together another competitive schedule that will challenge us from the beginning,” head coach Brad Hill said. “A nine-day road trip to open up the season will be a tough task, especially against the competition we will face in Cal State Bakersfield, San Diego, San Diego State and Oregon State. It doesn’t get any easier when you go through March, April and May against the always-tough Big 12 Conference and difficult midweek contests against Big Ten opponents Nebraska and Minnesota, as well as Missouri Valley foes Creighton and Missouri State. When you add in non-conference games against in-state rivals Wichita State and Kansas, it makes the schedule even tougher.

“We also assembled another solid 30-game home schedule,” Hill continued. “Our fans have been a big help to our success over the past few seasons, and we’re proud of the record number of season tickets sold last year. We appreciate the K-State family coming out to support us and look forward to playing in front of them yet again in 2012.”

The 2012 campaign begins with a seven-game, nine-day road trip to the Golden State beginning on Saturday, February 18, when K-State begins a three-game series at Cal State Bakersfield. It will be the third series between the two teams in the last two years as the Cats swept a two-game series in Bakersfield, Calif., last April before splitting a two-game home series with CSUB two weeks later.

Following its date with Cal State Bakersfield, Kansas State will travel 240 miles south to San Diego, Calif., to participate in the San Diego Tournament, an event in which the Wildcats went 3-1 in 2009. The Wildcats will face San Diego State on Thursday, Feb. 23, and Saturday, Feb. 25, at Tony Gwynn Stadium. On Friday, Feb. 24, the Cats will take on the University of San Diego at Cunningham Stadium, while they conclude their time in California on Sunday, Feb. 26, against 2011 NCAA Regional team Oregon State at Tony Gwynn Stadium.

Kansas State opens its home slate on Friday, March 2, with a three-game series against Pacific. The series marks the first games to be played on the new AstroTurf GameDay Grass 3D60 field laid at Tointon Family Stadium this summer. The Wildcats were a perfect 4-0 against the Tigers last year as they swept a three-game series at Pacific to open the 2011 season before winning a neutral-site contest the next week in Conway, S.C.

On Tuesday, March 6, the Wildcats will play their first of three games in 2012 against Nebraska as they travel to Lincoln, Neb., for an afternoon tilt. K-State returns to Lincoln for a game on March 27, before hosting the Huskers on April 3.

After its day trip to Nebraska in early March, K-State hosts Hartford for a four-game weekend series beginning on Friday, March 11. The Wildcats will then travel to Minneapolis, Minn., to take on the University of Minnesota, March 13-14, at the Metrodome for their first game at Minnesota since 1994. The series was originally scheduled for the 2011 season, but was delayed one year after the collapse of the Metrodome roof.

K-State opens up Big 12 Conference play on the road when it travels to College Station, Texas, to take on 2011 College World Series participant Texas A&M, March 16-18. After a home contest against Creighton on Tuesday, March 20, the Cats welcome another College World Series team in Texas, March 23-25.

The Wildcats will be back out on the road, March 30-April 1, as they play a three-game series at Oklahoma. That precludes a stretch of nine home games in the next 10 contests as the Wildcats host Nebraska on Tuesday, April 3, before a three-game series against Sacred Heart, April 5-7.

Following a game at Missouri State on Wednesday, April 11, the Cats host 2011 NCAA Regional team Baylor for three games beginning on Friday, April 13, before two games against Northern Colorado, April 17-18.

After a three-game series at Missouri, April 20-22, the Wildcats have two non-conference games against in-state opponents. On Tuesday, April 24, K-State plays host to Wichita State before traveling to Lawrence, Kan., the next day to take on Kansas in a non-conference tilt.

K-State will take on its final opponent that advanced to the NCAA Tournament a year ago when it hosts Oklahoma State, April 27-29.

The Wildcats conclude the non-conference portion of their schedule the next week when they make the return trip to Wichita State on Tuesday, May 1. K-State then returns home to take on Nebraska-Omaha, Friday, May 4, through Sunday, May 6.

The stretch run of the 2012 season begins on Friday, May 11, when the Wildcats host KU for a three-game home series. It marks the first time since 2001 that all three conference games are scheduled for the same stadium as the two schools have played a split-series over the last 10 years.

The regular season concludes with a three-game series at Texas Tech, Thursday through Saturday, May 17-19.

The 2012 Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship will be held Wednesday, May 23, through Sunday, May 27, at RedHawks Field in Oklahoma City, Okla. The event will use a double-elimination format for the second-straight season.

Every home game throughout the 2012 season that is not picked up for television will be seen live across the globe in high-definition on K-StateHD.TV. Additionally, K-State Gameday, K-StateHD.TV’s pregame show featuring former Wildcat great Craig Wilson, will air 45 minutes prior to first pitch for every Saturday home conference game and the Wichita State contest on April 24.

— KSU Sports Information —

ABC to televise K-State game with Baylor on Oct. 1

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Kansas State’s Big 12 Conference opener against 17th-ranked Baylor will be among the nation’s most showcased contests on October 1 as the matchup between the Wildcats and Bears at Bill Snyder Family Stadium will be broadcast by ABC Sports, beginning at 2:30 p.m., K-State and Big 12 officials announced today.

K-State’s game against Baylor will be the 37th appearance all-time on ABC and will also mark the 17th time in the last 18 years that at least one Wildcat football game will air on ABC. Last season, the Wildcats knocked off UCLA, 31-22, in the season opener on the network.

Tickets still remain for the matchup with Baylor but are going fast following two sellout crowds for the Eastern Kentucky and Kent State games. Bowl and sideline level tickets are available for $55, while reserved view level tickets are available for just $35. Additionally, military personnel and veterans can purchase tickets for just $20 for Fort Riley Day at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.

— KSU Sports Information —

K-State shuts out Kent State Saturday

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Kansas State didn’t need any late-game heroics this time.

David Garrett returned an interception 45 yards for a first-quarter touchdown, Collin Klein dazzled with his legs and the Wildcats beat penalty-prone Kent State 37-0 on Saturday night for their first shutout in more than five years.

Kansas State, which needed a touchdown pass by Klein in the closing minutes two weeks ago to beat Eastern Kentucky, had no such trouble with the Golden Flashes. The Wildcats scored on five of six first-half drives to build a 34-0 lead, and then coasted through an uneventful second half.

They’ll carry some momentum into a high-profile showdown at Miami next weekend.

Klein finished with 139 yards rushing and 74 yards passing, nearly becoming the first Kansas State quarterback since Allen Webb in 2004 to eclipse 100 yards in each category. He had a hand in all three touchdowns scored by the offense, two on the ground and one through the air.

Kansas State (2-0) didn’t give him much help — John Hubert and Robert Rose each had 29 yards rushing — but the defense more than made up for the paltry offense. The Wildcats held the second-worst offense in the Football Bowl Subdivision to 12 first downs and 199 yards.

Trayion Durham had 72 yards rushing for Kent State (0-3), while Spencer Keith was 11 of 23 for 81 yards with a pair of interceptions.

The Golden Flashes didn’t do much to help themselves, committing 11 penalties for 136 yards. That included eight personal fouls, one of which spoiled a first-and-goal situation at the Kansas State 3 in the fourth quarter. The Wildcats managed to keep the Golden Flashes out of the end zone to secure their first shutout since beating Florida Atlantic 45-0 on Sept. 9, 2006.

Garrett’s interception set the tone for the game.

The senior cornerback waited until Keith finally unloaded a looping pass toward Eric Adeyemi near the sideline. Garrett deftly stepped in its path and corralled the ball near his shoestrings, and took off untouched 45 yards down the sideline to give Kansas State a 7-0 lead.

It was the first interception returned for a touchdown by Kansas State since Jeffrey Fitzgerald did it against Texas Tech on Oct. 10, 2009.

The Wildcats’ offense started purring for the first time all season on their next series.

Backed up to his 3 after a false start, Klein picked his way through the line for a 46-yard gain on first down, and Kansas State methodically marched the rest of the way. Kent State helped with a pair of personal fouls, and Klein capped the 95-yard drive with a 5-yard scoring run.

It was the first of three straight drives that Kansas State turned into touchdowns.

The Wildcats went 98 yards the next time they had the ball, converting four third downs along the way, the final one when Klein hit Sheldon Smith sliding just across the goal line for a 3-yard TD toss that made the score 21-0.

Unable to get anything going offensively, Kent State resorted to trying a fake punt after its next drive stalled, but even that failed. The turnover gave Kansas State the ball at the Golden Flashes’ 48, and Klein completed three straight passes before scampering in from 4 yards out for another score.

Anthony Cantele tacked on a pair of field goals for Kansas State, and the Golden Flashes were well on their way to starting 0-3 for the first time since the 2000 season.

— Associated Press —

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