It's been a challenging ride for Kansas State without primary rusher Dylan Edwards.

All the more reason for the team to lean on running back Joe Jackson, who had his best season performance against TCU on Saturday afternoon. Jackson rushed 27 times for 110 yards, anchoring the offense with volume rushing and complementing the passing attack.

"We challenged him," K-State coach Chris Klieman said in his postgame press conference. "With Dylan down, you’re the one. Now play like a one and challenge the guys upfront. You guys gotta block. I didn’t think we were great in the first half, but the challenge was in the second half, we’ve got to be able to establish the run. I don’t know if we were gonna throw it all over the park down some guys, but I thought Joe did a really nice job."

Edwards was anticipated to be one of the Wildcats' most prominent weapons and possibly one of the best running backs in the country. However, his Week 0 injury against Iowa State has derailed his season, as he has been unable to remain healthy since then. This has opened the door for Jackson, who has the opportunity to continue the legacy of legendary Kansas State running backs. The Wildcats have one of the worst rushing units in the Big 12, but performances like these can help them climb out of the basement.

JORDAN ALLEN, DESMOND PURNELL HAILED AS STARS IN K-STATE'S WIN OVER TCU

Amid defensive end Tobi Osunsanmi's long-term injury, Kansas State defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman mentioned the players who needed to step up in his absence.

And those players were the same ones coach Chris Klieman shouted out after the blowout victory over TCU Saturday afternoon. Klieman highlighted defensive end Jordan Allen and linebacker Desmond Purnell as the heroes against the Horned Frogs.

"Losing Tobi has hurt us, but I was proud of Jordan Allen," Klieman said in his postgame interview. "We’re gonna rotate a bunch of guys there. And I was trying to tell them to keep Desmond in the game; he was having one of those days. So happy for him and the game he had."

Wildcats fans were likely devastated after the Osunsanmi news, but Saturday's performance should provide some hope. In a must-have matchup against TCU, Kansas State had its best defensive performance of the season. Even allowing 28 points and nearly 450 yards of total offense, the team forced turnovers that turned into points, holding Josh Hoover and the Horned Frogs down most of the afternoon.

Purnell had his best performance of the season with two interceptions (one for a touchdown), a sack, and two pass deflections.