FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Kansas State coach Chris Klieman and TCU’s Sonny Dykes present related descriptions in regards to the focus of their groups, whereas gamers from each side assume a lot the identical manner.
One of these groups can be alone atop the Big 12 standings after they meet Saturday night time.
Cornerback Josh Newton mentioned the undefeated and eighth-ranked Horned Frogs (6-0, 3-0 Big 12 Conference) nonetheless haven’t performed their greatest recreation, and he’s totally assured all of his teammates agree even after successful three consecutive video games in opposition to Top 25 opponents for the primary time in class historical past.
(*12*) Newton mentioned about what they should do.
Running again Deuce Vaughn believes Kansas State (5-1, 3-0), coming off its open date and with a three-game successful streak, hasn’t but performed an entire recreation, particularly on offense.
“That’s what we’re excited about … understanding that we haven’t touched the peak of our performance that we can have,” Vaughn mentioned.
TCU has gained consecutive October video games matching undefeated groups, beating Kansas after which overcoming a two-touchdown deficit within the fourth quarter final week to beat No. 11 Oklahoma State in double additional time.
“It’s been good to see us be able to overcome adversity,” Dykes mentioned. “The one thing for me that’s been really impressive is just our guys’ ability to focus on the task at hand. They’ve been really good about doing that, not getting ahead of themselves, not talking about, you know, all these things they want to accomplish.”
The Wildcats rebounded from a 17-10 house loss on Sept. 17 to Tulane, which this week bought ranked for the primary time since 1998, by beating Texas Tech at house, and successful on the highway in opposition to Oklahoma and Iowa State, the latter 10-9 earlier than their break.
“Resolve, resiliency, belief. Block out the outside noise and just focus on the next day and focus on the next opportunity,” Klieman mentioned. “You know, it’s not always going to be pretty, but if you can continue to believe in the plan, believe in each other, believe that you’re going to find a way. It’s been really cool to watch the last three weeks us survive and attack the adversity that we faced.”
FOURTH TIME A CHARM?
Quarterback Max Duggan and the Frogs have misplaced their final three video games in opposition to Ok-State and had been held to 17 factors or fewer every time.
With Duggan again within the beginning position after shedding that job going into the season, TCU has the Big 12′s high offense with 526.7 complete yards, 7.7 yards per play and 45.8 factors a recreation. Duggan is the league’s best passer, with 1,591 yards whereas finishing 69% of his makes an attempt, together with a Big 12-best 16 touchdowns passing and just one interception.
SACK MAN
Kansas State defensive finish Felix Anudike-Uzomah had a career-high 4 sacks in opposition to TCU final season. The 6-foot-4, 255-pound junior is tied for the nationwide lead with 1.08 sacks per recreation (6 1/2 complete). The Frogs have allowed solely three sacks in Big 12 play.
KENDRE AND QUENTIN
TCU’s additional time touchdowns in opposition to Oklahoma State had been a 25-yard catch by Quentin Johnston and a game-ending 2-yard run by Kendre Miller.
After solely 12 catches for 114 yards the primary 4 video games, Johnston has 22 catches for 386 yards within the final two weeks. Dykes mentioned this week that the 6-foot-4 receiver was banged up a bit early within the season.
“We were trying to play him enough to get him experience and try to get him into a routine,” Dykes mentioned.
Miller is a bruising again with greater than 100 yards in three of the previous 4 video games. He has a dashing TD in each recreation this season, and a seven-game total streak tied for the second-longest in class historical past behind LaDainian Tomlinson’s 15 in a row that finish in 2000.
“He’s a raging bull when he’s running the ball,” Newton mentioned of Miller.
VAUGHN’S RIGHT
Even with dynamo operating again Vaughn and dual-threat switch Adrian Martinez, the one QB/RB duo within the nation to each have greater than 500 yards dashing, the Wildcats are ninth within the Big 12, averaging 28.7 factors and 403 complete yards a recreation.
Martinez has 546 yards dashing with 9 TDs, whereas Vaughn has 661 yards and three TDs.
The additional time between video games helped Vaughn, who gingerly walked off late within the fourth quarter in opposition to Iowa State and didn’t return. Vaughn mentioned he bought leg-whipped whereas blocking.
(*8*) he mentioned this week.
ON THE OTHER SIDE
Kansas State’s protection has allowed solely 16.7 factors and 355 complete yards per recreation, whereas additionally forcing 9 interceptions.
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