Football Archive - Kansas State University Athletics

Year-by-Year History

2024

Record: 9-4
Big 12 Record (Finish): 5-4 (T8th)
Postseason: Rate Bowl Champions
Coach: Chris Klieman

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The latest of the stretch of nine-win campaigns came in 2024 as the Wildcats earned a pair of early-season victories over teams ranked No. 20. Those two top-20 wins propelled K-State to a 7-1 start, its best record over the first eight games of a season since 2014. Although the Wildcats finished the regular season with one win in their final four games, they ended on a high note with a thrilling 44-41 victory over Rutgers in the Rate Bowl. That game saw K-State trail by as many as 17 points in the middle of the third quarter and by 13 points early in the fourth before it put together the largest bowl comeback win in school history.

The Rate Bowl victory capped a school-record tying four comeback victories by Klieman’s squad when trailing in the fourth quarter, matching the mark by the 2011 Wildcats. In addition to the bowl win, K-State also overcame a seven-point deficit in week two at Tulane for a 34-27 win; a four-point deficit by scoring on a 50-yard touchdown pass with 2:14 left at Colorado for a 31-28 win; and a one-point deficit with a 51-yard field goal with 1:42 left for a 29-27 win over Kansas, the latter being the Wildcats’ 16-straight Dillons Sunflower Showdown victory.

2023

Record: 9-4
Big 12 Record (Finish): 6-3 (T4th)
Postseason: Pop-Tarts Bowl Champions
Coach: Chris Klieman

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A 9-4 campaign in 2023 was capped with a victory in the Pop-Tarts Bowl over NC State as the Wildcats finished the year ranked No. 18 in the Associated Press Top 25, No. 19 in the Coaches’ poll and No. 25 in the final College Football Playoff Top 25. It marked the second-straight year the Wildcats were ranked in the final poll, doing so for the first time since 2011 and 2012. Additionally, it was the first time in the 10-year history of the CFP Top 25 that K-State has landed in the final poll in two-straight seasons.

Kansas State began 2023 non-conference play with a 2-1 record for a second-straight season, and for the second-straight season its lone blemish in those three games came to the eventual Cotton Bowl Champion, this year being at Missouri on an SEC-record 61-yard field goal as time expired.

The Wildcats jumped out of the gate in Big 12 play by winning four of their first five conference games, including a pair of blowout wins over the previous year’s National Championship runner up TCU (41-3) and Big 12-newcomer Houston (41-0). K-State then went to No. 7 Texas and trailed, 27-7, toward the end of the third quarter before outscoring the Longhorns, 23-3, to force overtime before the eventual CFP Playoff squad eventually won, 33-30.

K-State rebounded from that defeat by topping Baylor, 59-25, and winning at No. 25 Kansas, 31-27, to secure the Wildcats’ 15th-straight Governor’s Cup victory.

The Cats went 6-1 at home during the 2023 season and were dominant in the six wins, averaging 43.9 points per game and winning those contests by an average 28 points. Of the four total losses on the season, three came to ranked teams and all four were one-possession games as the Wildcats’ 5.25 average margin of defeat was the smallest in the nation for all three-loss and four-loss Power 5 teams.

The Wildcats saw 30 players earn All-Big 12 recognition in 2023, the third-most of any program. Leading the way was Outland Trophy finalist and Consensus All-American Coope Beebe, who became the first offensive lineman in school history to earn Consensus All-America accolades. It marked the third-straight year a Wildcat earned Consensus All-America status, the longest stretch since going five-straight years from 1995 through 1999.

2022

Record: 10-4
Big 12 Record (Finish): 7-2 (1st)
Postseason: Sugar Bowl
Coach: Chris Klieman

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It only took year four of the Chris Klieman era for a milestone to be reached at K-State as the Wildcats captured the 2022 Big 12 Championship – the fourth league title in school history and first since 2012 – and the Wildcats finished the season with a 10-4 record, the 11th double-digit victory campaign in school history. K-State finished No. 9 in the final College Football Playoff Top 25, the Wildcats’ second-highest ranking ever in the CFP era and the highest for the final poll. K-State also ranked No. 14 in the final Associated Press Top 25 and Coaches’ Poll, the highest final ranking since 2012.

The Wildcats’ championship campaign was spearheaded by a school-record three victories over teams that were ranked in the top 10 of the AP Top 25, culminating with a 31-28 overtime victory over No. 3 TCU in the Big 12 Championship. In fact, since Klieman took over the reins of the K-State program in 2019, the Wildcats are 5-4 against teams ranked in the top 10 of the AP Top 25 as they have the most victories over AP Top 10 teams by any Big 12 program over that span.

Kansas State started the 2022 season with a 2-1 record in non-conference play, which included a dominant 40-12 victory over Missouri in which the Tigers did not score a touchdown until a final untimed down at the end of the game. The Wildcats then lost a 17-10 contest to Tulane – which finished with a 12-2 record and a win over USC in the Cotton Bowl – before going to No. 6 Oklahoma. All the Wildcats did in Norman was defeat a top-10 Sooner team for the third time in four seasons, kickstarting a 3-0 start to Big 12 play after wins over Texas Tech and at Iowa State.

After the Wildcats lost at TCU, K-State turned around and shut out No. 9 Oklahoma State, 48-0, which was the largest ever shutout victory by a lower ranked team over an AP Top 10 team. Following a narrow seven-point loss to Texas, the Wildcats closed out the regular season with three-straight victories – at Baylor, at West Virginia and against Kansas – to earn a trip to the Big 12 Championship.

Under Klieman’s watch, running back Deuce Vaughn became just the second player in school history to earn back-to-back Consensus All-America honors. Vaughn was one of three players to earn First Team All-America accolades – the most by K-State in a single season since 2003 – and one of five overall All-Americans – the most since 2012.

The other two First Team All-Americans also earned individual awards from the Big 12 coaches as Felix Anudike-Uzomah was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year, while Beebe was the Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year. In all, Klieman helped produce 17 All-Big 12 performers, the most by K-State since 2012.

2021

Record: 8-5
Big 12 Record (Finish): 4-5 (t5th)
Postseason: Texas Bowl Champions
Coach: Chris Klieman

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The 2021 season started with three straight non-conference wins over Stanford, Southern Illinois and Nevada and a top-25 national ranking. Following three Big 12-opening losses to teams that were ranked in the top 10 at some point in 2021, the Wildcats reeled off four-straight Big 12 wins, which included a come-from-behind road triumph at Texas Tech, home victories over TCU and West Virginia, and the program’s 13th-straight win over in-state rival KU. The 2021 season culminated with a 42-20 win over LSU in the TaxAct Texas Bowl.

Under Klieman’s watch, Vaughn became the 11th Consensus All-American in school history as the sophomore was one of three players in the nation to top 1,000 rushing yards and 400 receiving yards on the year, while he ranked in the top 25 nationally in nine different offensive categories. Vaughn was one of 16 Wildcats that earned All-Big 12 honors from the league’s coaches, which included four first-team members in Anudike-Uzomah, Beebe, kick returner Malik Knowles and defensive back Russ Yeast.

2020

Record: 4-6
Big 12 Record (Finish): 4-5 (7th)
Coach: Chris Klieman

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Kansas State jumped out of the gate in Big 12 play in 2020 by winning its first four games, the first time the Wildcats went 4-0 to start conference play in six years and just the sixth time in the 25-year history of the Big 12. One of those victories was at No. 3 Oklahoma, the first road win over a top-five team in school history. The Wildcats were the first team to win two-straight games against the Sooners since 2013 and 2014 (Baylor) and the first to defeat top-five Sooner teams in consecutive years since 2001 and 2002 (Oklahoma State).

However, battling through the COVID-19 pandemic and losing senior starting quarterback Skylar Thompson for the season during the third game of the year, the Wildcats finished the 2020 season at 4-6. K-State was one of just two teams in the nation (Georgia Tech) to start true freshmen at both quarterback and running back in at least seven games in 2020. The running back turned out to be one of the best in the nation as Vaughn was named the True Freshman of the Year by 247Sports, landed on multiple All-America teams and was the Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year. Vaughn was one of nine Wildcats to earn All-Big 12 honors. The Wildcats also had another stellar year in the classroom in 2020 as they broke their own record from the year prior for Academic All-Big 12 honors with 33, which included 26 first-team members.

2019

Record: 8-5
Big 12 Record (Finish): 5-4 (T-3rd)
Postseason: Liberty Bowl
Coach: Chris Klieman

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In Klieman’s first year at the helm of the K-State program in 2019, the Wildcats managed to win eight games, finish in a tie for third in the Big 12 after being picked ninth in the preseason, knocked off No. 5 Oklahoma at home for the first time since 1996, won at Mississippi State – the Wildcats’ first win in 11 tries inside an SEC stadium – kept the Governor’s Cup in Manhattan following their 11th-straight win over rival Kansas and quickly got back to bowl eligibility after missing out the year prior. The eight wins by Klieman were the most in school history by a first-year coach and also ranked second nationally among first-year Power 5 head coaches in 2019, trailing only Ohio State’s Ryan Day.

A total of 15 Wildcats earned All-Big 12 recognition in 2019, led by Special Teams Player of the Year Joshua Youngblood, who became the first true freshman in Big 12 history to be named Big 12 player of the year on offense, defense or special teams. His three kick returns for touchdowns led the nation in 2019 and sparked key Big 12 wins over Texas Tech and No. 23 Iowa State.

2018

Record: 5-7
Big 12 Record (Finish): 3-6 (T-7th)
Coach: Bill Snyder

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Kansas State suffered its first losing regular season since 2008 when the Wildcats finished 5-7. Sitting at 3-6 on the year, K-State defeated Kansas and Texas Tech to move to 5-6, needing to defeat Iowa State in the final game to keep the bowl streak alive. K-State held a 38-21 fourth-quarter lead, but the Cyclones scored the game's final 21 points as K-State's season came to an end. Despite a year with no bowl berth, K-State still showed flashes, highlighted by a dominating 31-12 victory over Oklahoma State and the Wildcats' 10th-straight victory over in-state rival Kansas. The team finished the year ranked third in the conference in scoring defense and rushing offense and also finished fourth in pass defense in the pass-happy Big 12.

Individually, running back Alex Barnes led the Big 12 and ranked 10th in the nation with 112.9 rushing yards per game. He put together the school's 16th 1,000-yard rushing season with 1,355 yards, a mark that ranked fourth in school history overall and second among juniors. Leading the way for Barnes was right tackle Dalton Risner, who put together his second-straight First Team All-American season. The co-Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the year, Risner finished his career with three-straight First Team All-Big 12 designations to become just the fourth offensive lineman in league history to earn the distinction. Barnes was a First Team All-Big 12 pick by the Associated Press and a second-team honoree by the league's coaches. He was joined on the second team by defensive back Duke Shelley, while punter Devin Anctil and defensive end Kyle Ball earned Honorable Mention All-Big 12 accolades.

2017

Record: 8-5
Big 12 Record (Finish): 5-4 (T-4th)
Postseason: Cactus Bowl Champions
Coach: Bill Snyder

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Kansas State won five of its last six games to finish the 2017 season with an overall record of 8-5 and a fourth place finish in the Big 12 at 5-4. The year was capped with a 35-17 win in the Cactus Bowl over UCLA. Quarterback Alex Delton received MVP honors with over 200 total yards and four total touchdowns. The team’s biggest win of the season came in November when the Wildcats traveled to Stillwater and knocked off the 10th-ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys, 45-40, a game that made the Cats bowl-eligible. The team finished second in the conference in rushing offense, punt and kickoff returns, turnover margin and red zone defense.

Individually, Jesse Ertz led in passing yards (930), Alex Barnes in rushing (819) and Byron Pringle in receiving (724). Return man D.J. Reed led the Big 12 in kick return (34.2) and punt return average (14.9), taking two to the house during the season. Defensive lineman Kyle Ball and Reed also led the conference in fumbles recovered (2). Offensive lineman Dalton Risner, placekicker Matthew McCrane, Reed (DB/RET) and defensive lineman Will Geary all received First Team All-Big 12 honors while fullback Winston Dimel, defensive lineman Reggie Walker and punter Nick Walsh made the All-Big 12 Second Team.

2016

Record: 9-4
Big 12 Record (Finish): 6-3 (4th)
Postseason: Texas Bowl Champions
Coach: Bill Snyder

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The Wildcats ended the 2016 season winning their final four ball games, including a Texas Bowl victory over Texas A&M, to finish with a 9-4 record, improving upon their 6-7 season the year before. Quarterback Jesse Ertz received Texas Bowl MVP honors with over 260 total yards and 3 total touchdowns. Three of the four K-State losses came against ranked opponents (Stanford, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State). The defense was the key to the successful season as the team finished first in the conference in scoring defense (22.3), rushing defense (115.0) and total defense (387.7).

Individually, Ertz led the team in passing (1,755) and rushing yards (1,012) and Byron Pringle led in receiving (631). Pringle led the conference in kick return average (28.7), defensive lineman Jordan Willis led the conference in total sacks (11.5) and defensive back D.J. Reed led the conference in passes defended (19). Willis was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year by the coaches, Reed was named Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year and defensive lineman Reggie Walker was named Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year. Fullback Winston Dimel, offensive lineman Dalton Risner, Pringle (KR/PR), Willis, linebacker Elijah Lee and Reed all received First Team All-Big 12 honors.

2015

Record: 6-7
Big 12 Record (Finish): 3-6 (8th)
Postseason: Liberty Bowl
Coach: Bill Snyder

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K-State won their final three regular season games to become bowl-eligible before losing in the Liberty Bowl versus SEC opponent Arkansas, finishing the year with a 6-7 overall record and placing eighth in the Big 12 (3-6). The four losses came against ranked opponents, including second-ranked TCU and second-ranked Baylor. A season highlight came in non-conference play when the Wildcats pulled out a three-overtime victory at home versus Louisiana Tech, 39-33. The final three wins of the season against Iowa State, Kansas and West Virginia sent K-State to their sixth straight bowl game. The team finished first in the Big 12 in red zone offense (94.5%), third in sacks (38) and fourth in rushing defense (166.7 yards/game).

Individually, the Cats were led in passing by Joe Hubener (1,837), rushing by Charles Jones (696) and receiving by Deante Burton (510). Return man Morgan Burns led the conference in kick return average (33.5) and defensive lineman Jordan Willis led in forced fumbles (4). Burns was named Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year by coaches as he took four kickoffs to the house throughout the season. Fullback Winston Dimel, offensive lineman Cody Whitehair, placekicker Jack Cantele and Burns received First Team All-Big 12 honors while defensive lineman Travis Britz and linebacker Elijah Lee were named to the Second Team All-Big 12 defense.

2014

Record: 9-4
Big 12 Record (Finish): 7-2 (3rd)
Postseason: Alamo Bowl
Coach: Bill Snyder

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The Wildcats spent the entire 2014 season in the Top 25, getting up to as high as No. 9 in the country, and finished the season 11th in the College Football Playoff poll. The year ended with a 40-35 loss to 14th-ranked UCLA in the Alamo Bowl. All four losses came against ranked opponents (Auburn, TCU, Baylor, UCLA) while the team picked up a middle of the year road win at 11th-ranked Oklahoma, 31-30. K-State’s defense led the way, giving up just 23.2 points per game (ranking second in the Big 12). They also finished second in pass defense (229.0) and fourth in rushing defense (140.3), putting them third in total defense (369.3). Other top categories include second in red zone offense (90.3%) and third in red zone defense (79.5%).

Individual leaders were Jake Waters in passing yards (3,501), Charles Jones in rushing (540) and Tyler Lockett in receiving (1,515). Lockett led the Big 12 in receiving yards, receiving touchdowns (11) and all-purpose yards (2,296). Lockett ended up being named Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year and B.J. Finney was named Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year by the coaches. Fullback Glenn Gronkowski, Finney, Lockett (KR/PR), defensive lineman Ryan Mueller and defensive back Randall Evans received First Team All-Big 12 honors while Waters, wide receiver Curry Sexton, offensive lineman Cody Whitehair, linebacker Jonathan Truman and defensive backs Dante Barnett and Danzel McDaniel were named to the Second Team.

2013

Record: 8-5
Big 12 Record (Finish): 5-4 (5th)
Postseason: Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl Champions
Coach: Bill Snyder

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After a rough 2-4 start, Kansas State finished the 2013 season winning six of their final seven games, including a 31-14 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl win over the Michigan Wolverines in Tempe, Ariz. Quarterback Jake Waters (313 total yards, 3 TD), wide receiver Tyler Lockett (194 all-purpose yards, 3 TD) and safety Dante Barnett (51 yard interception return) received MVP honors. Three of the five losses came against ranked opponents (Oklahoma State, Baylor, Oklahoma) and the Cats defeated 25th-ranked Texas Tech in Lubbock, 49-26, in early November. Leading the conference in penalty yardage (45.0/game) and third-down conversions (48.8%), Kansas State also had the third best defense in the Big 12, giving up 22.9 points/game and 358.8 yards/game.

Individually, Waters led the team in passing yards (2,469), John Hubert led in rushing (1,048) and Lockett in receiving (1,262). Lockett led the Big 12 in receiving yards/game (105.2) and was third in receiving yards, playing one less game than the top two leaders (Jace Amaro - TTU, Antwan Goodley - BU). He also led the conference in all-purpose yardage (1,859). Lockett was named Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year and Ryan Mueller was named Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year by the coaches. Lockett (WR/RET), offensive lineman B.J. Finney, Mueller and defensive back Ty Zimmerman received First Team All-Big 12 honors while offensive lineman Cody Whitehair was named to the Second Team.

2012

Record: 11-2
Big 12 Record (Finish): 8-1 (T-1st)
Postseason: Fiesta Bowl
Coach: Bill Snyder

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The 2012 K-State football team recorded 11 wins for the first time since 2003 as the team spent the final nine weeks of the season in the top-10, only to finish 12th in the AP Poll after a Fiesta Bowl loss to Oregon, 35-17. The Wildcats defeated five ranked opponents during the season in Oklahoma, West Virginia, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State and Texas. The team’s only regular season defeat came in the second to last game in Waco against the Baylor Bears (52-24). Reaching No. 2 with a chance to play for a national title, Kansas State fell to No. 7 in the country the week after. The defense was the Big 12’s best, giving up 22.1 points/game. Yardage-wise, they finished third in the conference (376.5/game), ranking third in rushing defense (128.0). The Cats also led in kickoff returns (29.2/return), punt returns (18.9) and turnover margin (+19).

Individually, Collin Klein led in passing yards (2,641), John Hubert in rushing (947) and Chris Harper in receiving (857). Klein was invited to New York for the Heisman Trophy Ceremony and placed third in the voting, behind winner Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M quarterback) and Manti Te’o (Notre Dame linebacker). He ran for 920 yards on the ground, second on the team behind Hubert. Return men Tyler Lockett and Tramaine Thompson led the Big 12 in kick return and punt return average (32.8 and 19.8, respectively). Coach Bill Snyder was named Big 12 Coach of the Year, Klein was named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, linebacker Arthur Brown was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and Meshak Williams was named Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year by the coaches. Klein, Hubert, tight end Travis Tannahill, offensive lineman Cornelius Lucas, Williams, Brown and defensive back Ty Zimmerman received First Team All-Big 12 honors while Harper, placekicker Anthony Cantele and defensive linemen Adam Davis and Vai Lutui were named to the Second Team.

2011

Record: 10-3
Big 12 Record (Finish): 7-2 (2nd)
Postseason: Cotton Bowl
Coach: Bill Snyder

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The Wildcats recorded their first 10 win season since 2003, resulting in a second place finish in the Big 12. The year ended with a Cotton Bowl loss to the Arkansas Razorbacks in Arlington, Texas, 29-16. The team finished 15th in the AP Poll and 8th in the final BCS Rankings. The three losses all came against ranked teams in Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Arkansas. A regular season highlight came when Texas A&M brought an instant classic to Bill Snyder Family Stadium. The Aggies took the game into four overtimes, where K-State quarterback Collin Klein ran in a game-winning touchdown from one yard out to claim the 53-50 victory. K-State led the Big 12 in kickoff returns (25.2/return), penalty yardage (35.8/game) and time of possession (33:55/game) while finishing in the top three in turnover margin and opponent first downs.

Individually, Collin Klein led in passing (1,918) and rushing yards (1,141) and Chris Harper led in receiving (547). Klein led in total touchdowns (27) and scoring (162) and defensive back Nigel Malone led the conference in interceptions (7). Coach Bill Snyder was named Big 12 Coach of the Year by the coaches. Offensive lineman Clyde Aufner, defensive lineman Ray Kibble, linebacker Arthur Brown and Malone received First Team All-Big 12 honors while offensive lineman Zach Hanson, return man Tyler Lockett and defensive back Tysyn Hartman were named to the Second Team.

2010

Record: 7-6
Big 12 Record (Finish): 3-5 (T-3rd - North)
Postseason: Pinstripe Bowl
Coach: Bill Snyder

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Bill Snyder’s second year back at Kansas State resulted in the team’s first bowl game in four years where the Cats went to Yankee Stadium and lost a close battle to the Syracuse Orange, 36-34. Three of K-State’s six losses came to ranked teams (Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Missouri), while the other two regular season losses came on the road at Baylor and Colorado. The team finished tied for third in the final year of the Big 12 North. K-State led the Big 12 in kickoff return yardage (1,421) and third-down conversions (46.6%) while finishing in the top three in scoring offense, rushing, punting, penalties, time of possession and red zone offense.

Individually, Carson Coffman led in passing yards (2,060), Daniel Thomas in rushing (1,585) and Aubrey Quarles in receiving (760). Thomas led the Big 12 in rushing yards for the second straight year with that mark and finished third in touchdowns (19) behind Oklahoma State’s Justin Blackmon and Oklahoma’s Demarco Murray. Return man William Powell received First Team All-Big 12 recognition from the coaches while Thomas, offensive lineman Zach Kendall and defensive back Ty Zimmerman were named to the Second Team.

2009

Record: 6-6
Big 12 Record (Finish): 4-4 (T-2nd - North)
Coach: Bill Snyder

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Bill Snyder’s return to K-State after leaving in 2005 resulted in a second place finish in the Big 12 North and a 6-6 overall record. The team had not won six games since 2006 when they finished 7-6. K-State’s only game against a ranked opponent on the season was Oklahoma in Norman where the Wildcats lost 42-30. A key to the six win season came a week after dropping a road game to Texas Tech by a score of 66-14 when the Cats did the same thing to Texas A&M at home, winning the ball game 62-14. The team finished first in the Big 12 in kickoff return average (26.3) and time of possession (33:47/game) while placing second in turnover margin (0.58).

Individually, Grant Gregory led in passing yards (1,096), Daniel Thomas in rushing (1,265) and Brandon Banks in receiving (705). Thomas led the Big 12 in rushing yards with that mark and Banks led in all-purpose yards (2,097) and kick return yards (1,127). Banks took four kickoffs to the house during the season. Thomas, tight end Jeron Mastrud, offensive lineman Nick Stringer and Banks (KR/PR) received First Team All-Big 12 honors from the coaches. Banks also received Second Team recognition as a wide receiver.

2008

Record: 5-7
Big 12 Record (Finish): 2-6 (T-4th - North)
Coach: Ron Prince

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Ron Prince’s third and final year at Kansas State ended with a 5-7 overall record and a tie for fourth in the Big 12 North (2-6). Three of the seven losses came against ranked teams (Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Missouri). A key win came on the road in College Station over the Texas A&M Aggies, 44-30. The season ended without a postseason appearance, which was the fourth time in the last five years that occurred. The team finished first in the Big 12 in kick coverage (48.1 net avg.) and third in opposing penalties (55.2 yards/game).

The Wildcats were led individually by Josh Freeman in passing yards (2,945), Lamark Brown in rushing (412) and Brandon Banks in receiving (1,049). Joshua Moore led the BIg 12 in passes defended per game (1.25) while Banks was second in kick return average (27.7). Defensive lineman Ian Campbell received Second Team All-Big 12 recognition.

2007

Record: 5-7
Big 12 Record (Finish): 3-5 (4th - North)
Coach: Ron Prince

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Kansas State lost their final four games of the 2007 season to finish 5-7 without a postseason appearance. Two tough non-conference road games were the cause of the 2-2 record outside of the Big 12, in losses to 14-ranked Auburn and Fresno State. The Cats pulled off an early season upset in Austin over seventh-ranked Texas in late September, 41-21. The team hosted sixth-ranked Missouri late in the year, which resulted in a loss. K-State led the Big 12 in punt return yardage (766) and punt return touchdowns (5), while finishing second in punting (38.9/punt), sacks (30) and red zone offense (90.7%).

Individually, the team was led by Josh Freeman in passing yards (3,353), James Johnson in rushing (1,106) and Jordy Nelson in receiving (1,606). Nelson was second in the conference with that mark, behind only Texas Tech’s Michael Crabtree and also second in all-purpose yards/game (155.2). Deon Murphy led the Big 12 in punt return yardage (454), Tim Reyer led in punting average (44.5), Brooks Rossman led in field goals made (22) and defensive lineman Ian Campbell led in fumbles recovered (4). Nelson, Campbell and Reyer received First Team All-Big 12 honors while defensive back Justin McKinney was selected to the Second Team.

2006

Record: 7-6
Big 12 Record (Finish): 4-4 (T-2nd - North)
Postseason: Texas Bowl
Coach: Ron Prince

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Kansas State’s first season without Bill Snyder as their coach since in 1988 ended with a Texas Bowl bid versus Rutgers, where the Wildcats lost 37-10 in Houston, Texas. Four of the six Wildcats losses came to ranked opponents (Louisville, Nebraska, Missouri, Rutgers) while the team did beat fourth-ranked Texas at in mid-November, 45-42, a win that made them bowl-eligible. It was the first seven-win season for the team since 2003, when the Cats won the Big 12 Championship Game. The team led the Big 12 in kickoff return average (27.1) and kick return touchdowns (3), punt return touchdowns (3), sacks (39), red zone defense (74.0%) while finishing second in punt return yardage (391).

Individually, the squad was led by Josh Freeman in passing yards (1,780), Leon Patton in rushing (609) and Jordy Nelson in receiving (547). Yamon Figurs led the league in punt return average (14.7) and punt return touchdowns (2) and defensive lineman Ian Campbell led in tackles for loss (17.0). Campbell was also second in the Big 12 in sacks (11.5). Figurs and Campbell received First Team All-Big 12 honors while linebacker Brandon Archer and defensive back Marcus Watts were selected to the Second Team.