It was all about adjustments on Saturday. K-State was ripped apart in the first quarter - with the aide of great field position — but was able to make adjustments and slow the Sooners down some. K-State gave up some big plays, didn't sack OU quarterback Landry Jones or create any turnovers. But the ultimate mistake came early in the fourth quarter when the Cats allowed OU to convert a first down, then score, after penalties forced the Sooners into a first-and-45 and then a second-and-42. You get the picture.
Grade: D+
SPECIAL TEAMS
Two words - Brandon Banks. The senior speedster returned a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter to answer an OU touchdown and keep the Cats in the game. Josh Cherry was also good on his only field goal attempt of the night, a 31-yarder in the second. However, KSU still had its issues as a pair of PATs were blocked.
Grade: C+
COACHING
The offensive outburst against a defense like OU's was impressive. KSU was able to counter an early pass rush and create matchup problems in the secondary with Banks, while still being honest in the run game. For the Cats not to give up after going down 21-0, says something about this coaching staff and what was being said on the sidelines — not letting it turn into another Texas Tech.
Grade: B
NOTEBOOK
To the Banks
Brandon Banks did it again as he returned another kickoff for a touchdown on Saturday, a 98-yarder in the fourth quarter. It was Banks' fourth kickoff return for a TD this season and fifth of his career. He was already the KSU record-holder for kickoff returns in a season and career. Now he has the Big 12 record for returns for scores in a single season.
"It just opened up," said Banks, who also had nine receptions for 156 yards. "It was a return right and I just bounced it left and got it into the end zone."
Thomas watch
Daniel Thomas is now just 95 yards shy of 1,000 for the season after rushing 16 times for 88 yards on Saturday. Thomas would be the first K-State running back to reach the century mark since James Johnson rushed for 1,106 yards during the 2007 season and only the second back to do so since Darren Sproles reached 1,318 yards in 2004.
Next week
K-State will return home to host the Kansas Jayhawks, the first of two straight games at Bill Snyder Family Stadium to close out the home slate this season. Texas Tech defeated the Jayhawks 42-21 on Saturday. The game time will be announced sometime today.
Moore injured
Joshua Moore chased down Chris Brown after a 44-yard gain in the second quarter to make the tackle, but landed wrong and had to leave the game. Moore was not able to return. Snyder said following the game that Moore will be evaluated in the next couple of days.
