Texas Bowl Preview: Stats that define Kansas State

Taking a look at LSU’s bowl game opponent, Kansas State.

Offense

Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

Kansas State won’t blow anyone away on offense, but they are efficient and have some balance. They rank 29th in yards per play, sitting in the top 35 in yards per pass and rush. They were 36th in available yards too. It’s a decent unit.

After scoring over 30 in three consecutive games, they only scored a total of 27 in their last two.

Kansas State ranks dead last in plays per game. Despite their efficiency, they are barely in the top 100 in total yards. Their failure to generate explosive plays also contributed to this.

Who will start under center for the Wildcats is a bit of a mystery right now. Skylar Thompson has been their guy for some time now, but he got hurt in their final game in a loss to Texas.

Without Thompson, Kansas State would become even more reliant on running back Deuce Vaughn.

Vaughn rushed for 1,246 yards in 12 games this year, averaging 5.8 yards per pop. Vaughn was also the Wildcats leading receiver with 471 yards. Few players in America are more important to their team than Vaughn.

He’s shifty and runs behind a decent offensive line. No matter who is at QB, Klein is going to find a way to get the ball in Vaughn’s hands. LSU will need to have one of their better tackling games to contain him.

Finally, the defense