2024 Kansas State Wildcats football team

2024 Kansas State Wildcats football
2024 Kansas State Wildcats football
Conference	Big 12 Conference
Ranking
Coaches	No. 16
AP	No. 17
Record	2–0 (0–0 Big 12)
Head coach	Chris Klieman (6th season);
Co-offensive coordinator	Matt Wells (1st season)
Co-offensive coordinator	Conor Riley (1st season)
Defensive coordinator	Joe Klanderman (5th season)
Home stadium	Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium
Uniform
	Seasons ← 2023 2025 →

2024 Big 12 Conference football standings
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
No. 11 BYU	4	–	0	7	–	0
No. 10 Iowa State	4	–	0	7	–	0
No. 16 Kansas State	3	–	1	6	–	1
Cincinnati	3	–	1	5	–	2
Colorado	3	–	1	5	–	2
Texas Tech	3	–	1	5	–	2
Arizona State	2	–	2	5	–	2
TCU	2	–	2	4	–	3
West Virginia	2	–	2	3	–	4
Utah	1	–	3	4	–	3
Arizona	1	–	3	3	–	4
Baylor	1	–	3	3	–	4
UCF	1	–	3	3	–	4
Kansas	1	–	3	2	–	5
Houston	1	–	3	2	–	5
Oklahoma State	0	–	4	3	–	4
Championship: December 7, 2024
^ – College Football Playoff participant $ – Conference champion y – Championship game participant As of October 25, 2024 Rankings from AP Poll

The 2024 Kansas State Wildcats football team will represent Kansas State University in the Big 12 Conference during the 2024 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Wildcats are led by Chris Klieman in his sixth year as their head coach. They will play their home games at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium located in Manhattan, Kansas.

Pre-Season

Previous season

The Wildcats finished the 2023 regular season 9–4 and 6–3 in Big 12 play. They earned a berth in the 2023 Pop-Tarts Bowl, where they defeated the NC State Wolfpack, 28-19.

Players drafted into the NFL

Round	Pick	NFL Team	Player	Position
2	53	Washington Commanders	Ben Sinnott	TE
3	73	Dallas Cowboys	Cooper Beebe	G
7	254	Los Angeles Rams	KT Leveston	G

Preseason Big 12 Poll

Big 12
Predicted finish	Team	Votes (1st place)
1	Utah	906 (20)
2	Kansas State	889 (19)
3	Oklahoma State	829 (14)
4	Kansas	772 (5)
5	Arizona	762 (3)
6	Iowa State	661
7	West Virginia	581
8	UCF	551
9	Texas Tech	532
10	TCU	436
11	Colorado	400
12	Baylor	268
13	BYU	215
14	Cincinnati	196
15	Houston	157
16	Arizona State	141

First place votes in ()

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
August 31	6:00 p.m.	UT Martin*	No. 18	Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium Manhattan, KS	ESPN+	W 41–6	51,240
September 7	11:00 a.m.	at Tulane*	No. 17	Yulman Stadium New Orleans, LA	ESPN	W 34–27	25,034
September 13	7:00 p.m.	No. 20 Arizona^[a]*	No. 14	Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium Manhattan, KS	FOX
September 21		at BYU		LaVell Edwards Stadium Provo, UT	TBA
September 28		Oklahoma State		Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium Manhattan, KS	TBA
October 12		at Colorado		Folsom Field Boulder, CO (rivalry)	TBA
October 19		at West Virginia		Milan Puskar Stadium Morgantown, WV	TBA
October 26		Kansas		Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium Manhattan, KS (Sunflower Showdown)	TBA
November 2		at Houston		TDECU Stadium Houston, TX	TBA
November 16		Arizona State		Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium Manhattan, KS	TBA
November 23		Cincinnati		Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium Manhattan, KS	TBA
November 30		at Iowa State		Jack Trice Stadium Ames, IA (rivalry)	TBA
*Non-conference game Rankings from AP Poll (and CFP Rankings, after October 30) - Released prior to game All times are in Central time

^[1]^[2]

Game summaries

vs. UT Martin (FCS)

Game One – UT Martin Skyhawks (FCS) (0–0) vs No. 18 Kansas State Wildcats (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
UT Martin (FCS)	0	3	3	0	6
No. 18 Kansas State	14	3	10	14	41

at Bill Snyder Family Stadium • Manhattan, KS

Date: Saturday August 31, 2024
Game time: 6:00 p.m.
Game weather: 85 °F (29 °C)
Game attendance: 51,240
Referee: Luke Richmond
TV announcers (ESPN+): Mark Neely (play-by-play) and Ahman Green (analyst)
Pregame line: KSU −37.5 Over/Under: 54.5

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	UT Martin	No. 18 Kansas State
First downs	8	20
Total yards	134	449
Rushing yards	36	283
Passing yards	98	166
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	10-17-0	16-25-1
Time of possession	33:30	26:30

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
UT Martin	Passing	Kinkead Dent	7-14, 87 yds, 0 TD, 0 INT
	Rushing	Patrick Smith	9 Att, 23 yds, 0 TD
	Receiving	Trevonte Rucker	1 rec, 45 yds, 0 TD
No. 18 Kansas State	Passing	Avery Johnson	14-24, 153 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
	Rushing	D.J. Giddens	13 att, 128 yds
	Receiving	Jayce Brown	5 rec, 71 yds

The No. 18 Kansas State Wildcats opened their 2024 season with a 41-6 victory over UT Martin at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Quarterback Avery Johnson led the Wildcats by throwing two touchdown passes--including a 23-yard connection with Brayden Loftin--finishing with 153 passing yards. The Wildcats’ defense held the Skyhawks throughout the game and allowing only 134 total yards while recording four sacks. Kansas State's special teams also made a significant impact, highlighted by a blocked punt by Ty Bowman that resulted in a touchdown recovery by Colby McCalister.^[3]

The Wildcats' defense remained strong, limiting UT Martin's rushing attack to just 36 yards on 38 carries. The win marked a solid start for the Wildcats, demonstrating balanced contributions from offense, defense, and special teams. Coach Chris Kleiman emphasized the need to improve despite the convincing win, pointing to a challenging road game against Tulane next week.^[4]

Competing in Division I FCS, UT Martin is a member of the Big South–OVC Football Association and ended the 2023 season with a record of 8 wins and 3 losses. including a 48-7 loss to then #1 ranked Georgia.^[5]

at Tulane

No. 17 Kansas State Wildcats (1–0) at Tulane Green Wave (1–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 17 Wildcats	3	7	10	14	34
Green Wave	7	13	0	7	27

at Yulman Stadium • New Orleans, LA

Date: September 7, 2024
Game time: 11:00 a.m.
Game weather: Temperature: 76 °F (24 °C) • Wind: NE at 11 miles per hour (18 km/h) • Weather: Cloudy
Game attendance: 25,034
Referee: Kevin Boitmann
TV announcers (ESPN): Bob Wischusen (play-by-play), Louis Riddick (analyst), and Kris Budden (sideline reporter)
Pregame line: KSU −9 Over/Under: 47.5

Game information

First quarter

(3:05) KSU – Chris Tennant 48-yard field goal (Drive: 12 plays, 58 yards, 5:59; Kansas State 3–0)
(0:49) TUL – Makhi Hughes 3-yard run, Jacob Barnes kick (Drive: 5 plays, 73 yards, 2:09; Tulane 7–3)

Second quarter

(13:17) TUL – Alex Bauman 36-yard pass from Darian Mensah, Jacob Barnes kick (Drive: 2 plays, 38 yards, 1:03; Tulane 14–3)
(10:16) KSU – Will Swanson 7-yard pass from Avery Johnson, Chris Tennant kick (Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:04; Tulane 14–10)
(4:57) TUL – Jacob Barnes 40-yard field goal (Drive: 11 plays, 57 yards, 5:12; Tulane 17–10)
(1:01) TUL – Jacob Barnes 41-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 45 yards, 2:44; Tulane 20–10)

Third quarter

(7:49) KSU – Chris Tennant 28-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 65 yards, 3:38; Tulane 20–13)
(2:26) KSU – DJ Giddens 45-yard pass from Avery Johnson, Chris Tennant (Drive: 5 plays, 66 yards, 2:50; Tied 20–20)

Fourth quarter

(14:01) TUL – Alex Bauman 13-yard pass from Darian Mensah, Jacob Barnes kick (Drive: 6 plays, 56 yards, 3:17; Tulane 27–20)
(11:20) KSU – Dylan Edwards 13-yard run, Chris Tennant kick (Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:41; Tied 27–27)
(8:13) KSU – Jack Fabris 60-yard fumble recovery, Chris Tennant kick (Kansas State 34–27)

Statistics	KSU	TUL
First downs	19	21
Total yard	396	491
Rushing yards	215	149
Passing yards	181	342
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	15–23–0	19–29–1
Time of possession	26:44	33:11

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Kansas State	Passing	Avery Johnson	15/23, 181 yards, 2 TD
	Rushing	DJ Giddens	19 carries, 114 yards
	Receiving	DJ Giddens	4 receptions, 63 yards, TD
Tulane	Passing	Darian Mensah	19/29, 342 yards, 2 TD, INT
	Rushing	Makhi Hughes	21 carries, 128 yards, TD
	Receiving	Mario Williams	6 receptions, 128 yards

vs Arizona

Arizona Wildcats (0–0) vs Kansas State Wildcats (2–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Wildcats (ARIZ)	0	0	0	0	0
Wildcats (KSU)	0	0	0	0	0

at Bill Snyder Family Stadium • Manhattan, KS

Date: September 13, 2024
Game time: 6:00 p.m.
Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
TV announcers (FOX): Tim Brando (play-by-play), Devin Gardner (analyst), and Josh Sims (sideline)

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	ARIZ	KSU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Arizona	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Kansas State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at BYU

Kansas State Wildcats (0–0) at BYU Cougars (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Wildcats	0	0	0	0	0
Cougars	0	0	0	0	0

at LaVell Edwards Stadium • Provo, UT

Date: September 21, 2024
Game time: TBD
Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	KSU	BYU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Kansas State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
BYU	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

vs Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State Cowboys (0–0) vs Kansas State Wildcats (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Skyhawks	0	0	0	0	0
Wildcats	0	0	0	0	0

at Bill Snyder Family Stadium • Manhattan, KS

Date: September 28, 2024
Game time: TBD
Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	OKST	KSU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Oklahoma State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Kansas State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Colorado

Kansas State Wildcats (0–0) at Colorado Buffaloes (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Wildcats	0	0	0	0	0
Buffaloes	0	0	0	0	0

at Folsom Field • Boulder, CO

Date: October 12, 2024
Game time: TBD
Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	KSU	COL
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Kansas State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Colorado	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at West Virginia

Kansas State Wildcats (0–0) at West Virginia Mountaineers (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Wildcats	0	0	0	0	0
Mountaineers	0	0	0	0	0

at Milan Puskar Stadium • Morgantown, WV

Date: October 19, 2024
Game time: TBD
Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	KSU	WVU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Kansas State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
West Virginia	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

vs Kansas

Kansas Jayhawks (0–0) vs Kansas State Wildcats (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Jayhawks	0	0	0	0	0
Wildcats	0	0	0	0	0

at Bill Snyder Family Stadium • Manhattan, KS

Date: October 26, 2024
Game time: TBD
Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	KAN	KSU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Kansas	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Kansas State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Houston

Kansas State Wildcats (0–0) at Houston Cougars (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Wildcats	0	0	0	0	0
Cougars	0	0	0	0	0

at TDECU Stadium • Houston, TX

Date: November 2, 2024
Game time: TBD
Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	KSU	HOU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Kansas State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Houston	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

vs Arizona State

Arizona State Sun Devils (0–0) vs Kansas State Wildcats (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Sun Devils	0	0	0	0	0
Wildcats	0	0	0	0	0

at Bill Snyder Family Stadium • Manhattan, KS

Date: November 16, 2024
Game time: TBD
Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	ASU	KSU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Arizona State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Kansas State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

vs Cincinnati

Cincinnati Bearcats (0–0) vs Kansas State Wildcats (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bearcats	0	0	0	0	0
Wildcats	0	0	0	0	0

at Bill Snyder Family Stadium • Manhattan, KS

Date: November 23, 2024
Game time: TBD
Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	CIN	KSU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Cincinnati	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Kansas State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Iowa State

Kansas State Wildcats (0–0) at Iowa State Cyclones (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Wildcats	0	0	0	0	0
Cyclones	0	0	0	0	0

at Jack Trice Stadium • Ames, IA

Date: November 30, 2024
Game time: TBD
Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	KSU	ISU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Kansas State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Iowa State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Coaching staff

Name	Position	Year at Kansas State	Previous job
Chris Klieman	Head coach	6th	North Dakota State (HC)
Matt Wells	Co-OC/QB/AHC	1st	Oklahoma (Advisor to HC/O Analyst)
Van Malone	AHC/DPGC/CB	6th	Mississippi State (DA)
Joe Klanderman	DC/S	6th	North Dakota State (DB)
Conor Riley	Co-OC/OL	6th	North Dakota State (RGC/OL)
Brian Anderson	RB	6th	Illinois State (WR)
Brian Lepak	TE	4th	Southern (RGC/OL)
Matthew Middleton	WR	2nd	Kent State (WR/RC)
Steve Stanard	LB	5th	Syracuse University (DE)
Mike Tuiasosopo	DT	6th	UTEP (DL)
Buddy Wyatt	DE	6th	Kansas (senior analyst)
Trumain Carroll	Strength/Cond.	4th	Oklahoma State
Nate Kaczor	STQC	1st	Washington Commanders (ST)
Matt Kardulis	DQC	4th	Virginia Tech (GA)
Drew Liddle	O Analyst	7th	UTEP (TE/FB)
Sean Maguire	O Analyst	1st	Buffalo (DA/QC)
David Orloff	D Analyst	4th	Syrcause (GA)

table source^[6]

Rankings

Ranking movements
**Legend:** ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
	Week
Poll	Pre	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	Final
AP	18	17
Coaches	17	16
CFP	Not released																Not released

References

^ "2024 Kansas State Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
^ Fair, Daniel. "K-State, KU football schedules released after Big 12 shakeup". KSN-TV. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
^ Teope, Herbie (August 31, 2024). "No. 18 Kansas State cruises to 41-6 win over UT Martin". Associated Press. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
^ Green, Arne (August 31, 2024). "Grading Kansas State football's 41-6 victory over UT-Martin to open the 2024 season". Topeka Capital-Journal. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
^ "UT Martin Skyhawks Schedule 2023". ESPN. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
^ "2024 Coaching Staff". Kansas State University Athletics. Retrieved September 4, 2024.

^ Although both Kansas State and Arizona are in the Big 12, this game will not count in conference standings due to the game being scheduled before Arizona joined the Big 12.

[2] "2024 Kansas State Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved January 6, 2024.

[3] Fair, Daniel. "K-State, KU football schedules released after Big 12 shakeup". KSN-TV. Retrieved January 6, 2024.

[4] Teope, Herbie (August 31, 2024). "No. 18 Kansas State cruises to 41-6 win over UT Martin". Associated Press. Retrieved September 4, 2024.

[5] Green, Arne (August 31, 2024). "Grading Kansas State football's 41-6 victory over UT-Martin to open the 2024 season". Topeka Capital-Journal. Retrieved September 4, 2024.

[6] "UT Martin Skyhawks Schedule 2023". ESPN. Retrieved September 4, 2024.

[7] "2024 Coaching Staff". Kansas State University Athletics. Retrieved September 4, 2024.

[1] Although both Kansas State and Arizona are in the Big 12, this game will not count in conference standings due to the game being scheduled before Arizona joined the Big 12.

[a]

[1]

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[3]

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v t e Kansas State Wildcats football
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