Location: Manhattan, Kan. | Founded: 1863 | Enrollment: 23,182 | Colors: Purple and White | Stadium: Bill Snyder Family Stadium | Capacity: 52,000 | Coach: Ron Prince Record:
(5-7, 3-5
Big 12)
Three points. That was all Kansas State scored in its spring game, and it required a 51-yard field goal by backup kicker Josh Cherry in the fourth quarter to account for the scoring.
Attribute the anemic display to a variety of factors. Ron Prince, the Wildcats' third-year coach, chose to cite the play-calling by his coordinators and their desire to win the game, the defensive improvement his team showed during the spring, and the running clock used to expedite the scrimmage.
Still, the sluggish exhibition included an inordinate number of dropped balls, poor throws and stifled carries. The only real offensive threat to emerge was a walk-on running back, Keithen Valentine, who rushed for 104 yards. Add another 100 yards and you get 204, which is what the two squads combined to generate.
Disconcerting? Perhaps. But then what isn't these days for the Kansas State program?
It closed the regular season needing one win in its last four games to qualify for a bowl. Two of the games were against the last-place teams in the Big 12 North, Iowa State and Nebraska. Yet the Wildcats lost all four tries, finishing 5-7 overall and 3-5 in the Big 12.
The defense was particularly shoddy down the stretch, though the offense was inconsistent and is now without its most steady contributor, wide receiver Jordy Nelson, a second-round draft pick of the Green Bay Packers.
To address shortcomings throughout the roster, Prince signed a whopping 19 junior-college transfers. Most of them, however, were unable to enroll at Kansas State in time for spring practice, so many evaluations must be made when the Wildcats reassemble in the fall. Adding to the transitionary phase will be the presence of three new assistants after Kansas State again experienced attrition on its staff.
If the coaches can deliver their message quickly enough and develop all the newcomers they hope will contribute in 2008, the quick fix Prince seeks with all the transfers could make Kansas State competitive. It heads into the fall as probably the biggest unknown among all the North teams.
But it's going to take a tremendous amount of work, patience and understanding for the JUCO experiment to pay off. That, plus whatever Kansas State got out of the spring must be explained again with a thorough fall review.
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What Kansas State team has been the best to ever suit up?
Some people automatically give it to the 1998 team because they were ranked #1 late in the season, but in reality they didn't accomplish much. Sure they reached the pinnacle, but they didn't win any hardware that year.
The 2003 team started off the year with high expectations and championship aspirations, but in
Here are a few thoughts I thought I should share which I believe are my own.
Yes I believe Kansas State's new coach Ron Prince is doing a good job, in two years if we still have this win/loss record then no I do not believe he is doing a good job.
No I do not believe in the consistency like Bill Snyder had, it is ineffective at the moment as far as my next yes commen
Well, im sure u all know this but my packers took Jordy Nelson in front of Hardy,Jackson, Sweed,Kelly and Manningham... Personally i have never heard of this kid... What are we getting in this kid??
I've already spent hours watching highlight films from the past couple of seasons. Why does the off-season have to be so long. At least we got the draft to hold us over. It will be interesting to see where Jordy ends up. I would love to see him on the Chiefs roster.
I'm also wondering where McKinney will go. What do you guys think his chances are of getting drafted?
Everyone is expecting a great season and they should, I'm just worried about a couple of things, 1.) Our schedule seems a little tougher, it seems we have the same opponent schedule in 2003, but this time its different because we have been struggling, I know our home game opener is going to be great because we will continue our tradition of wins on an game opener but I am worried abou
What are everyones expectations for the '08 season now that the recruiting class is set in stone? I personnally like the number of juco guys coming in (their talent alone will help the younger players develop), and i like that the coaching staff made huge strides to get the players that best fit the 3-4 scheme. It should be an interesting and exiting year for Wildcat football
Today's question which QB would you pick??? Michael Bishop #7, Ell Roberson #3, or the New Josh Freeman #1??? I think I would go with Ell, Freeman's interception ratio is kind of scary, but I do have to admit all of them have a hell of an arm!
