K-State Escapes Tulane with Win, But Flaws Still Evident

K-State football players celebrate in Tulane end zone. Courtesy: K-State Athletics

For years, Kansas State has been known for making big plays beyond just their offense —and Saturday's game was another example of that.

Linebacker Austin Romaine set the tone by forcing the Wildcats' first turnover of the season, stripping Tulane's Darian Mensah and allowing Jack Fabris to scoop up the loose ball and return it 60 yards for a touchdown. The Wildcats later sealed the victory with a clutch interception by VJ Payne, securing K-State’s first-ever win against Tulane, 34-27. 

Despite rallying from a 10-point first-half deficit, this performance raised some concerns for Chris Klieman’s squad, leaving K-State fans with mixed feelings.

Flashes of Potential, but a Long Road Ahead for Avery Johnson

For the second straight week, the K-State offense showcased some bright spots, yet also left plays on the field, many of which came from freshman quarterback Avery Johnson. 

Johnson made some crucial plays, including a 7-yard touchdown pass to Will Swanson that pulled K-State within 14-10 in the first half. On that play, Johnson was flushed out of the pocket and managed to throw a strike to his tight end while running to his left—a remarkable display of athleticism.

He also connected with DJ Giddens for a 45-yard touchdown pass on a fourth-and-short in the third quarter, a good play call by the coaches and solid execution by Johnson. However, Johnson also missed some key opportunities, including an open Sterling Lockett downfield for what could have been a touchdown and another potential first-down pass to Jadon Jackson.

Johnson was asked to run the ball eight times, gaining only 40 yards. Although he showed promise with 181 passing yards and two touchdowns, it’s clear there’s still much for him to learn.

Junction City’s DJ Giddens Shines

While Johnson showed flashes, DJ Giddens emerged as the marquee player for the K-State offense. The junior running back gained 114 yards on 19 carries and added four catches for 63 yards, including a wheel-route touchdown. Following his 114-yard performance last week, Giddens is off to an impressive start this season.

Dylan Edwards Needs More Touches

Despite a productive second half, Dylan Edwards had limited opportunities, rushing for 54 yards and a touchdown on just four carries. 

His limited first-half play was surprising given his impactful debut last week. As the game progressed, Edwards made crucial plays, including a touchdown that tied the score at 27 in the fourth quarter.

Secondary Struggles against the pass becoming more apparent

While K-State managed to escape with a win, their secondary struggled to stop Tulane's passing game. Darian Mensah, Tulane’s redshirt freshman quarterback, torched the Wildcats for 342 yards and two touchdowns, consistently finding wide-open receivers on play-action passes. The ease with which Tulane completed long passes was alarming, as the Green Wave exploited holes in the K-State defense throughout the game.

Although the Wildcats improved against the pass in the second half, Mensah still connected with Mario Williams for a 47-yard gain on a third-and-21 and hit Alex Bauman for a 13-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. Defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman's blitz-heavy approach backfired at times, leaving the secondary vulnerable. This mismanagement and poor execution could spell trouble for K-State as the season progresses, especially with a daunting matchup on the horizon.

Arizona's Dynamic Duo Headed to Manhattan

Up next for the Wildcats is a showdown with Arizona on Friday night, featuring one of the best QB/WR duos in the country: Noah Fifita and Tetairoa McMillan. Last week, Fifita threw for 422 yards and four touchdowns against New Mexico, with McMillan accounting for 304 yards and four touchdowns on 10 receptions. Their explosive performance is sure to give Chris Klieman, Joe Klanderman, and Van Malone plenty of headaches as they prepare for this formidable challenge.

For now, K-State avoids the upset bid against Tulane, improving to 2-0 on the season. However, the Wildcats have much to address before they face Arizona's high-powered offense. And with Mensah being only a redshirt freshman, there’s a good chance K-State might see him again in a couple of years