Kansas State Has Worst Performance Of Season In 66-28 Loss To Oklahoma State

The Kansas State Wildcats were feeling pretty good about themselves. 

They had only been completely outplayed once this season, a loss to the Houston Cougars. The Wildcats were competitive in all of the other defeats. They even had a built-in excuse because they played the last two games without starting quarterback Avery Johnson. 

But on Saturday, it was different. 

The Wildcats were dominated in every facet in a 66-28 loss to the Oklahoma State Cowboys. What made it worse was it came in front of the home fans at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. 

This was not the type of showing that first-year Wildcats coach Collin Klein wanted to show to the home fans. By the end of the first quarter, they were down 28-7. The Cowboys continued to pour it on for the next two quarters before easing up in the fourth. 

The Cowboys, led by quarterback Drew Mestemaker, won the total yards battle 565-327. Mestemaker, who is one of the top players in the nation, completed 22 of 28 passes for 313 yards and four touchdowns with one interception. Cowboys running back Caleb Hawkins also had a strong day, finishing with 175 yards on 20 carries and three touchdowns. In all, five different Oklahoma State players crossed the goaline in the blowout. 

It was a nightmarish time for Kansas State quarterback Blake Barnett, who was making his first start. After looking solid in relief in last week's loss to the Colorado Buffaloes, he struggled throughout versus the Cowboys. 

A junior, Barnett completed 7 of 17 passes for 106 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. He was relieved by backup Dillon Duff, last week's starter, because of the struggles. Duff fared no better. He was just 10 of 17 for 94 yards with one touchdown and one interception. 

The only bright spot for the Wildcats was receiver Derrick Salley Jr., who caught three passes for 100 yards and two touchdowns. The running game was almost non-existent, averaging 3.3 yards a carry. That made it even tougher for the quarterbacks. 

The Wildcats have no time to regroup. Next week, they play at the Texas Christian Horned Frogs. If the quarterback play doesn't improve, it could be another long day for Kansas State. 

With Johnson likely out for the season, either Barnett or Duff will have to step up for the Wildcats to have any chance the remainder of the year. It's not the type of welcoming Klein expected in his first year of coaching his alma mater.