No. 18 Kansas State Dominates UT-Martin 41-6 in Season Opener

K-State Football tight end Will Anciaux runs a route during the first game of the season.

Despite a slow start, No. 18 Kansas State (1-0) flexed its muscle in the second half to cruise to a 41-6 victory over the UT-Martin Skyhawks (0-1) in their season opener at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. The Wildcats, showing some early-season jitters, eventually found their rhythm on both sides of the ball, securing a comfortable win.

Head coach Chris Klieman acknowledged the growing pains his team experienced, especially in the first half.

"I'm happy we won, but I know we are going to learn and grow from this... We were challenged.”

Slow Start, Second-Half Surge

Kansas State struck first with a 24-yard touchdown reception by Brayden Loftin, giving the Wildcats an early lead, but it would be their only offensive score in the first half.

The offense came alive in the second half, largely fueled by the ground game. DJ Giddens led the way with 124 yards on just 13 carries, while also catching three passes for six yards.

Dylan Edwards added 43 yards and a touchdown on five carries, along with two receptions for 19 yards and another score. Freshman quarterback Avery Johnson, making his debut, completed 14 of 21 passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns despite an early interception. He also contributed 37 yards on three carries. Johnson’s longest completion was a 44-yard pass to Jayce Brown, who finished as the leading receiver with 71 yards. Edwards capped that drive with a rushing touchdown.

In the fourth quarter, La’James White showcased his potential with a 12-yard touchdown run, while Jacob Knuth and Ta’Quan Roberson took over at quarterback in mop-up duty.

Skyhawks Grounded

The game was won on the defensive side of the ball. The Wildcats' defense suffocated the Skyhawks, allowing just 36 yards on 38 rushing attempts—a meager 0.9 yards per carry. Kansas State recorded 11 tackles for loss and four sacks, consistently overwhelming UT-Martin's backfield.

Desmond Purnell led the defensive charge, racking up seven tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. Tobi Osunsanmi also had a standout performance, registering 1.5 sacks and providing an electrifying sack celebration that fired up the crowd.

The Wildcats also benefited from four penalties against UT-Martin, capitalizing on the Skyhawks’ poor clock management. Kansas State, on the other hand, displayed remarkable discipline, finishing the game with zero penalties.

The Bread and Butter

Special Teams U made its presence felt once again when Ty Bowman blocked a punt inside the UT-Martin 5-yard line. Colby McCalister scooped up the loose ball and returned it for a touchdown, putting the Wildcats up by two scores. Additionally, Chris Tennant added two field goals from 43 and 45 yards to pad the lead.

What We Learned

While the Wildcats may still be shaking off some rust from the offseason and adjusting to new roles, the outcome was a solid start against a quality FCS opponent.

Kansas State will hit the road next week, traveling to New Orleans to face Tulane in an 11 a.m. matchup that will be nationally televised on ESPN.