Kansas State fans did their job against Arizona Friday night when they filled the Bill, selling out the stadium with an attendance of 51,290 people in the stadium. Even though this wasn’t the largest crowd in Kansas State football history, head coach Chris Klieman took notice of the fans in the stands.
“First things first, the crowd, the crowd, the crowd, that was as loud as I’ve ever heard the Bill [Bill Snyder Family Stadium],” Klieman said in his postgame press conference. “They were electric tonight,
and they helped us win that football game. I cannot thank our fans and our fan base enough, they were loud and it affected their offense”
Klieman felt that the crowd truly made a difference in the game, so much so that before even talking about how the team played, he wanted to give thanks for their part in the game.
After thanking the fans, Klieman was thrilled with how the game went, well most of the game that is. He did admit that there were some frustrations in the first half, especially at the end of the first half, but he takes full responsibility for the missed opportunity for three points.
“It is all on me at the end of the first half, it is all on me I’ve got to be better in that situation and I should have just called the time out,” Klieman said. “That’s not on the kid [Avery Johnson], that is 100% on me, and I told him that.”
Other than the end of the first half, Kansas State’s offense was firing on all cylinders for most of the game. Quarterback Avery Johnson not only showed his arm strength and how dangerous he truly can be with his legs. Not only was the offense getting it done, but the defense had a stellar game with an interception and turnovers on downs.
Senior cornerback Keenan Garber made an incredible play get snap an interception against Noah Fifita in the second quarter and it thrilled Klieman.
“He read the quarterback’s [Noah Fifita] eyes. Keenan’s got a second gear, he’s got another gear, and for him to go jump that thing was a big-time play,” Klieman said.
Klieman credited this win to a good week of practice, which is something he said didn’t happen before the Tulane game. Klieman talked about how it was just a good week of practice physically, but mentally as well with leadership stepping up and leading the way. Klieman said the coaching staff worked on how the week would go starting at 3:00 in New Orleans right after the Tulane game ended.
This game could be considered a breakout game for Johnson as he went 14-for-23 with 153 passing yards, and two touchdowns. Johnson also showcased his lethal running ability with 101 rushing yards on 17 carries.
Klieman said sometimes it was. designed run others time it was Johnson just having a good read.
“Sometimes it was the design of the play, where the read was probably going to be pretty easy for him and then there were some other designs where we either knew we were going to get him to run, or we gave it to the running back, and they all thought Avery was going to keep it and then we got some big gains on that,” Klieman said.
There is no denying that this was a big win for Kansas State, not just to go into conference play 3-0, but to show the rest of the Big 12 that they are not playing and the Wildcats are truly the team to beat in the conference.
