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No. 17 Kansas State has high hopes and a four-game winning streak for Houston’s improvement

No. 17 Kansas State has high hopes and a four-game winning streak for Houston’s improvement

HOUSTON – Kansas State coach Chris Klieman knows how small the margin for error is in college football.

His Wildcats have played three one-possession games this season and won all of them, including a 29-27 win over rival Kansas last week.

No. 17 Kansas State (7-1, 4-1 Big 12) still has hopes of a league title berth and perhaps a playoff bid heading into Saturday’s game at Houston (3-5, 2-3).

“We were down most of the games we had,” Klieman said. “Our guys didn’t panic. Our boys stayed the course and stayed in the fight. That’s something we preached, the older people preached that kind of piece by piece (mentality). There’s nothing you can do about what happened, now let’s move on.”

The Wildcats have won four straight and are looking to finish the second phase of their season with a strong performance. Klieman said Kansas State divided the season into three parts – a five-game stretch before the first bye week, the current four-game stretch before a second bye and the final three-game stretch.

After finishing the first period 4-1, the Wildcats look to finish the second period 4-0, including close wins at Colorado and Kansas.

“I know the guys took ownership, especially with the adversity we faced in Colorado,” Klieman said. “Having the lead, losing the lead and being on the floor in the fourth quarter in an environment like that and just watching the guys help each other on both sides of the ball.”…The adversity that we and they dealt with Guys faced in that four-game span — so three of the four so far — I think really made us grow as a football team.”

Houston quarterback Zeon Chriss (2) throws a touchdown pass to...

Houston quarterback Zeon Chriss (2) throws a touchdown pass to wide receiver Joseph Manjack IV over Utah linebacker Lander Barton (8) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Houston . Photo credit: AP/Michael Wyke

The Cougars have won two of three games, including last week’s 17-14 home win over Utah, one of the preseason favorites for the Big 12 title.

balancing act

Klieman said balance on offense is something the Wildcats strive for. Quarterback Avery Johnson has thrown for 1,654 yards and 16 touchdowns and rushed for 373 yards and four scores, while running back DJ Giddens has thrown for 945 yards and four touchdowns this season.

“Being able to throw the ball effectively over any down line and distance,” Klieman said. “That has improved. We’re getting better at balance.”

Red zone inefficiencies

The Cougars have struggled to score this season. Houston ranks last nationally with 14.1 points per game and a 53.3% success rate in the red zone. In 15 red zone appearances, the Cougars scored four touchdowns and four field goals. That was evident last week against Utah when Houston failed four times from the 1-yard line in the second and third quarters.

Kansas State running back DJ Giddens (31) is chased by...

Kansas State running back DJ Giddens (31) is chased by Kansas State linebacker Austin Romaine (45) as he goes for a shot during the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Manhattan, Kansas first Dow runs. Photo credit: AP/Charlie Riedel

“Scoring touchdowns would have been good,” said first-year Houston coach Willie Fritz. “We stalled on these drives. Not just in the red zone, but also at the 1-yard line. A barometer for victory is what we call four-point games: scoring touchdowns instead of field goals when you’re in there.”

Sales game

Both Klieman and Fritz pointed out that winning the turnover game was key. The Wildcats have a plus-three turnover margin this season, including plus-eight in the last four games, while Houston is minus-five overall.

“I think they come in bunches sometimes,” Klieman said. “I think when you’re in trouble you push so hard. Then one thing happens and you get another. Make no mistake, our success lies in being in the plus category.”