January 6th, 2012 at 9:24 PM ^
Lots of defense being played on both sides - something is amiss among the bowl gods, I think.
EDIT: Just like that, 10-0 Arkansas. Rather poorly defended kick return goes for a TD. If nothing else, we're in the 2nd quarter before the first special teams gaffe - that's better than most bowls to date this season.
January 6th, 2012 at 9:18 PM ^
SEC Speed Strikessss Again!!!
January 6th, 2012 at 9:18 PM ^
blocks in the back on the return.
January 6th, 2012 at 9:21 PM ^
....which conference the crew is from. Some conferences apparently don't believe in such calls.
January 6th, 2012 at 9:23 PM ^
they called a horrible block in the back on the k-state punt return just before that one
January 6th, 2012 at 9:19 PM ^
Joe Adams likes punt TDs.
He also like it when his team gets away with some very borderline blocks in the back.
January 6th, 2012 at 9:23 PM ^
Just stack the box and laugh.
January 6th, 2012 at 9:27 PM ^
Kind of like VT did against us?
January 6th, 2012 at 9:29 PM ^
Running the wildcat deep in your own territory makes me fearful for the future of the passing attack in KSU's game.
January 6th, 2012 at 9:32 PM ^
Something tells me that any "passing attack" at KSU is a delicate relic that none dare mention for fear that it may shatter at any moment.
January 6th, 2012 at 9:41 PM ^
don't look at it the wrong way, and NEVER EVER bump the table that it rests on.
January 6th, 2012 at 9:27 PM ^
Slow clap for KSU #5
January 6th, 2012 at 9:37 PM ^
....wondering how you mortgage your home to get a completed pass to an open receiver on 3rd down...
EDIT: Say what you will - KSU is apparently just good enough on defense to minimize the bleeding in comparison to other games most of us have watched this bowl season.
January 6th, 2012 at 9:36 PM ^
Two handoffs and a QB sneak fail to crack the end zone. 13-0 Hogs.
January 6th, 2012 at 9:40 PM ^
Somehow K-State has even fewer yards after that drive.
January 6th, 2012 at 9:41 PM ^
...on -150 yards total offense before halftime?
January 6th, 2012 at 9:44 PM ^
I am interested to see if K-State can get over 1 yard/play by halftime.
January 6th, 2012 at 9:45 PM ^
...but as you know, it's a whole three feet. Some teams give all they have for a whole three feet. KSU literally likes to play a game of inches in bowls.
January 6th, 2012 at 9:45 PM ^
With a Big 12 loss tonight the MAC and the Sun Belt are the conferences with the best bowl records this year and it'll be decided on the field in the GoDaddy.com Bowl.
January 6th, 2012 at 9:45 PM ^
Not sure if anybody saw this, but Edwin Baker is turning pro. Kind of surpriisng because he had a down year. Perhaps he saw that Bell was going to be the workhorse next year. Not sure if it hurts sparty too much, but Baker gave us problems the last 2 years.
January 6th, 2012 at 9:53 PM ^
Yeah, I saw that. I don't think it hurts them too much. It will really hurt them if another RB gets hurt, but Baker lost his starting spot to Bell. They have good depth at RB as well. I'm guessing that Baker could see that his carries were going to go down next year even more, and decided to bolt while that productive sophomore season was even fresher in mind. Plus, he is fast and well built, so the pro scouts will like that.
And now for some schadenfreude: remember Baker's preseason goals of 2,000 yards and 22 TDs? HAHAHAHAHAHA
January 6th, 2012 at 9:53 PM ^
That could be a break for us against them. We've generally done well against inside runners, but speedy guys with the ability to get to the edge (like Baker) have given us some problems. In our game against them this year, Baker had 167 rushing yards and Bell had 20.
January 6th, 2012 at 9:55 PM ^
What about the fact that the interior of our line will be new next year, but we return all edge D players including three freshman that started this year?
January 6th, 2012 at 10:02 PM ^
True, that could change things a lot next year. But it seems like for a long time (going back to Carr), it's been the speedy backs that have hurt us. The big Ron Daynes never really did that much. Maybe it's just my perception.
January 6th, 2012 at 9:49 PM ^
This is already good game territory.
Edit: Blocked kick returned for 2!?
January 6th, 2012 at 9:48 PM ^
Well, did not see that coming...
January 6th, 2012 at 9:48 PM ^
I must say that I am surprised by this ass kicking that Arkansas is putting on.
January 6th, 2012 at 9:48 PM ^
KANSAS STATE'S ON THE BOARD!!!
January 6th, 2012 at 9:49 PM ^
2 points the hard way. Please don't score again.
January 6th, 2012 at 9:49 PM ^
At least KSU won't get shut out.
January 6th, 2012 at 9:49 PM ^
Guirdy HUNGRY
January 6th, 2012 at 9:49 PM ^
Guidry just did the 'gotta eat' DRob hand motion. Why is everyone doing this now? I saw Sparty doing it repeatedly in their bowl game.
January 6th, 2012 at 9:54 PM ^
This has been brought up a few times here. Apparently, it's from a Youtube video and then some NFL guys started doing it. Now it's just a thing a lot of football players do. It's still Denard's in my heart though.
January 6th, 2012 at 9:49 PM ^
I'm really impressed with the job Petrino's done, but I can't help thinking that it's got to be frustrating for him to have to compete against Alabama and LSU in the same division. I can't see him staying there long-term.
January 6th, 2012 at 9:52 PM ^
I think the not winning your division actually may be keeping him there longer. Imagine if he got to the NC game; he would probably be gone in second.
January 6th, 2012 at 9:55 PM ^
If Arkansas was smart they would go to the Big XII. They would rule that conference if they played in it now
January 6th, 2012 at 9:58 PM ^
If I were Texas, I'd have him on my shortlist to replace Mack Brown. He's doing very well while recruiting in basically the same region.
January 6th, 2012 at 9:56 PM ^
Arkansas starting to stretch the field...don't know why they didn't do that from the beginning. That's their advantage in this game.
January 6th, 2012 at 9:59 PM ^
Vintage KSU: suck and then get big TO.
January 6th, 2012 at 10:03 PM ^
MAKE...THIS...A...GAME...KSU...
January 6th, 2012 at 10:04 PM ^
Just like that we have a game again. They've had some drops, but I think KSU has actually looked decent so far. The drops have been on wide open passes because they knew Arkansas would be keying on the run. Snyder will have them ready for the second half.
January 6th, 2012 at 10:07 PM ^
KSU has like 60 yards of offense in the entire 1st half and are down by 10. Sure their D as been playing well, but their effort is even more woeful than ours was.
January 6th, 2012 at 10:12 PM ^
They also have 5 drops on plays that would have either kept drives going or been big plays in their own right. This isn't a case of nothing is working. They're getting guys open. If they catch those balls and make Arkansas pay for focusing on the run so much, this is a completely different game at this point. Catch a few of those and suddenly running lanes start opening up.
January 6th, 2012 at 10:19 PM ^
Yeah, but that's assuming that drops aren't normally part of their team dynamic. I honestly haven't watched them enough to know if holding onto the ball during the passing game is a big deal season long, but I believe all the stats suggest that they are primarily running team. Thus I wouldn't be surprised if they have struggled with various aspects of the passing game throughout the year. That might just be an aspect of their offense much like getting big turnovers is part of their defense for whatever reason.
January 6th, 2012 at 10:40 PM ^
That is a valid point. I am currently a student at Michigan, but was born and raised in Manhattan, KS, and hence have followed KSU all year. The drops are unusual for them. The issue has been accuracy in the passing game. Snyder called Klein a running back who happens to throw the ball occasionally. His accuracy has looked fine hitting wide open receivers, but has struggled when there is coverage. Usually that has meant when they've been able to get receivers wide open due to their running game, they've been able to throw the ball too. Right now they're getting guys open, and in those conditions I think their offense is set to take a big step forward.
It does hurt them that they've had great field position all year long due to true freshman Tyler Lockett, a 2011 all-american return specialist. He's injured for today's game, and Tramaine Thompson hasn't been able to match Lockett's production (and showed his inexperience with catching the ball ont he 2 yard line).
January 6th, 2012 at 10:10 PM ^
With the prevalance of head injuries in football today it really peeves me off that football players dont buckle their helmet straps correctly or at all. Helmets function best when properly used and players hould be forced to wear them correctly. I don't think it would've helped there but i'm sure it could help in some situations
January 6th, 2012 at 10:10 PM ^
looks pretty bad. I hope he recovers all right.
January 6th, 2012 at 10:10 PM ^
I just turned the game on and this is not what I wanted to see. I hope he's ok.
January 6th, 2012 at 10:12 PM ^
Giving the thumbs up is a good sign
January 6th, 2012 at 10:35 PM ^
How long has this halftime been? Seems like it's been forever.