The Skyhawks fell on the road to the number 18 ranked Kansas State Wildcats 41-6 on Saturday. Similar to the matchup against Georgia last season, they were underdogs heading into this game. Despite the loss, the Skyhawks have a few things they can hang their hats on heading into next week against Southeast Missouri State.
If you look at the stats for this game, you will think the Skyhawks were completely shut down by KSU. However, the Skyhawks left a lot on the field that could’ve led to big points for the offense. In particular, in the 3rd quarter Kindkead Dent launched a pass to DeVonte Tanksley who got behind the defense, but couldn’t reign it in. The Skyhawks also committed 4 penalties on offense. Setting themselves back on offense usually led to a punt for the Skyhawk offense.
Kinkead Dent led the Skyhawks offense, going 7 for 14 with 87 yards, most of those yards coming in one play, a pass to Trevonte Rucker on a scramble drill that went for 45 yards, Rucker’s only catch of the night. Rucker led the team in receiving yards with that one catch.
On the ground, Senior Patrick Smith led the team with 19 rushing yards on 9 carries, a stat that speaks volumes about why this game turned out the way it did. Narkel LeFlore was right there with Smith with 18 rushing yards on 9 carries.
The ground game was the true difference between these two teams. Kansas State dominated this game by running the ball and stopping the run. You look at the Wildcat’s 283 rushing yards compared to the Skyhawk’s 36 rushing yards, and it becomes clear how KSU ran away with this one.
As expected, DJ Giddens picked up right where he left off last year with 124 yards on 13 rushes averaging nearly a first down per attempt for the Wildcats. Along with Dylan Edwards and Joe Johnson, Wildcat running backs chugged along all night finding little resistance from the Skyhawk defense.
On defense, Jaylon Sharpe led the Skyhawks with 5 tackles and 2 tackles for loss. Close behind him was Oshae Baker with 4 tackles all of which were solo. Chris Hunter made the biggest play of the day for the Skyhawk defense with an interception of Avery Johnson in the 2nd quarter.
Avery Johnson was the X-factor for the Wildcats offense today. Many wondered what he would look like in his first starting action and the result was a mixed bag. Johnson had some plays like his 44-yard pass to Jayce Brown that gave a glimpse into the great quarterback Johnson was billed to be, and other plays like his interception to linebacker Chris Hunter make you think Johnson still has a way to go before he reaches his potential. Johnson wound up with a pretty average stat line on the night, going 14-21 for 153 passing yards and 2 touchdowns to go along with the aforementioned interception. However, it was plenty enough to put the Skyhawks away 41-6.
On special teams, junior kicker Jaren Van Winkle scored the Skyhawks only points of the day with 2 field goals, one from 34 yards and another from 31 yards out. KSU’s Chris Tennant also made 2 field goals for the Wildcats, one from 43 and the other from 45 yards respectfully.
Next week the Skyhawks are on the road again to face SEMO. The Skyhawks play the Redhawks next Saturday at 6:00 p.m. eastern and will try to begin conference play with a win.
