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Kansas State has had difficulty limiting big plays throughout the 2023 season, and Saturday's game against Oklahoma State may present the Wildcats' most formidable defensive challenge to date.
The Cowboys arrive at Bill Snyder Family Stadium with one of the most potent offenses in college football, putting up 41.1 points and 529.6 yards per game. Both marks rank third nationally, posing a serious test for a K-State defense that has been inconsistent.
For defensive coordinator Jordan Peterson, the task isn't merely to slow down Oklahoma State; it's to eliminate the explosive plays that have plagued the Wildcats all year. The Cowboys have generated 55 offensive plays of at least 20 yards, the third-most in the country. Their passing game has been especially explosive, with 44 such plays leading the nation.
Those statistics are troubling for K-State, which has allowed 34 plays of 20 or more yards (79th nationally). Even more concerning, the Wildcats have surrendered 16 rushes of at least 20 yards, ranking 128th nationally. Against an offense capable of scoring from anywhere on the field, these defensive breakdowns could prove costly.
Drew Mestemaker Powers the Cowboys' Attack
Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestemaker has developed into one of the most productive signal-callers in college football. He averages 331.1 passing yards per game and has thrown for 2,649 yards and 25 touchdowns through eight games. His top targets, Justin Bowick and Wyatt Young, each average nearly 90 receiving yards per game. Even in the Cowboys' 51-49 loss to Iowa State in Week 9, Mestemaker passed for 323 yards and five touchdowns. He has now thrown for at least 300 yards and multiple touchdowns in seven consecutive games.
Wildcats head coach Collin Klein, a former quarterback himself, holds great respect for Mestemaker's play. "This will be as good of an offense as we'll play all year," Klein said at his weekly press conference. "This will be as good of a quarterback as there is in the country."
While Mestemaker and the passing attack demand attention, Oklahoma State's running game presents just as many problems. Caleb Hawkins, who played with Mestemaker and coach Eric Morris at North Texas, delivered a standout freshman season with 1,434 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns. Now a sophomore at Oklahoma State, he is enjoying another exceptional campaign, totaling 1,067 yards and four touchdowns through eight games. In the loss to Iowa State, he carried 25 times for 194 yards and two scores.
As good as Mestemaker is, Hawkins is the player who could truly alter the game's complexion with a big performance. A strong showing from Hawkins would force the Wildcats to commit an extra defender to the box, making Mestemaker and the passing attack even more dangerous.
K-State's Defensive Numbers Tell a Complex Story
Despite their struggles with explosive plays, the Wildcats have been one of the nation's best defenses against the pass. K-State ranks seventh nationally in passing defense, allowing only 151.9 yards per game. However, that figure is somewhat misleading, as opponents have found considerable success on the ground. The Wildcats are yielding 166 rushing yards per game, which ranks 103rd in the country. Too often this season, missed assignments, poor tackling and breakdowns have allowed opponents to post big games.
While those issues have hurt the team at times, they will be magnified on Saturday. Against an offense like Oklahoma State's, K-State must put together four quarters of disciplined football.