Saturday, October 18th, 7:00 p.m. (et)
FACTS & STATS: Site: Folsom Stadium (51,748) -- Boulder, Colorado.
Television:FSN. Home Record: KSU 3-1, Colorado 2-1. Away Record: KSU 1-1,
Colorado 0-1. Neutral Record: KSU 0-0, Colorado 1-1. Conference Record: KSU
1-1, Colorado 0-2. Series Record: Colorado leads, 43-19-1.
GAME NOTES: The Colorado Buffaloes will try to put the breaks on their current
skid this weekend, as they entertain the Kansas State Wildcats in a Big 12
matchup at Folsom Stadium. After opening the season with three straight wins,
the Buffs have fallen on hard times, dropping each of their past three
outings. Last weekend, Colorado faced its second straight nationally-ranked
opponent in Kansas, which came out on top in a 30-14 decision. With the loss,
the Buffs remained winless in league play at 0-2 and are now in jeopardy of
falling below .500 overall for the first time this season. As for KSU, it used
a big effort from its offense to defeat Texas A&M, 44-30, on the road last
weekend. It was the second victory in the past three games by the Wildcats,
who improved to 4-2 overall and a level 1-1 within the conference. The program
will now try to win two straight conference road games for the first time
since 2003. Accomplishing that feat could be possible, as KSU has won the last
two meetings with Colorado. The Buffs however, still own a 43-19-1 advantage
in the head-to-head series and that includes a commanding 26-5 lead when
playing in Boulder.
The Wildcats were impressive on offense this past weekend, as they used a
balanced attack of 215 rushing yards and 234 passing to defeat Texas A&M
44-30. The offense put together three scoring drives of 80 or more yards,
while converting 9-of-12 third down chances. Making good on third downs is
nothing new for KSU, which is converting 49 percent of its chances for the
year. Quarterback Josh Freeman, once again, was sensational in the win, as he
ran for 95 yards and four touchdowns, in addition to completing 21-of-26 pass
attempts for 234 yards. One of the most versatile signal callers in a
conference loaded with great quarterbacks, Freeman has rushed for 12
touchdowns and thrown the same amount against just two picks this season. He
is completing 65.7 percent of his tosses for 251.5 ypg and is just one passing
touchdown shy of tying the school career record. Brandon Banks has certainly
benefited from Freeman's success, as he leads the team with 29 catches, 573
receiving yards and six touchdowns. Aubrey Quarles is another dangerous threat
in the passing game and he ranks second on the squad with 28 catches and 322
yards. Last weekend, Quarles had nine receptions for 102 yards, while Banks
finished with four catches for 59 yards.
While the offense is clicking on all cylinders, the same can't be said about
the KSU defense, which is being abused for 442.0 total ypg this season. The
unit has struggled against the run (181.2 ypg) and pass (260.8 ypg) and hasn't
fared well in the turnover department either, forcing only six miscues thus
far. Despite coming out on top and making some key stops last weekend, the
Wildcats' defense appeared vulnerable once again, giving up 544 total yards to
Texas A&M. The program yielded 419 of those yards through the air, while
forcing just one turnover. On a positive note, KSU did do a good job of
getting into the backfield, as it recorded four sacks. Joshua Moore had eight
stops to lead the Wildcats and his 35 tackles for the year are good enough to
top the roster as well.
After scoring over 30 points in each of their first two games, the Buffs have
failed to post over 21 points any of their last four outings. That includes
last weekend, when Colorado was limited to just a pair of touchdowns in a loss
to Kansas. The Buffs managed just 233 total yards in the game and that is
below their modest season average of 310.2 ypg. Quarterback Cody Hawkins ran
for a score and threw for another, but completed just 8-of-22 pass attempts
for only 90 yards and two interceptions. He was replaced late in the game by
Matt Ballenger, who passed for 57 yards on 5-of-8 tosses. On the year however,
Hawkins has fared better and has completed 56.5 percent of his pass attempts,
with 11 touchdowns against six interceptions. Scotty McKnight has been his
first look with a team-high 21 catches to his name, while Josh Smith has also
been a factor with a club-best 259 receiving yards. Rodney Stewart paces the
team's ground attack, which is averaging 114.8 ypg, with 453 yards and that
includes a 77-yard performance last weekend.
The Buffs had some trouble slowing down Kansas and its potent offense last
weekend, giving up 407 total yards, including 151 on the ground. It was a
disappointing effort by Colorado, which is holding opponents to 363.0 total
ypg for the year. The Buffs also failed to record a single turnover after
forcing 10 through the first five games. Getting to the quarterback also
proved difficult for Colorado, as it managed only one sack in the loss. Ryan
Walters paced the team in defeat with 12 stops, including six of the solo
variety. He now has 57 stops for the year and that ranks seconds to Jeff
Smart, who leads the way with 59 tackles.
The Wildcats are clearly the more explosive team here and that should help
them outlast Colorado in what could end up being a shootout due to KSU's
suspect defense.