CU Buffs Face Kansas State Wildcats in Crucial Matchup

As the Colorado Buffaloes prepare to face off against the Kansas State Wildcats on November 4, 2023, at Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan, Kansas, both teams are eager to turn their fortunes around. The Buffaloes enter the game with a record of 3-8 overall and 1-7 in the Big 12 after suffering a significant loss to Arizona State, 42-17 last week. Meanwhile, the Wildcats are looking to rebound from a tough defeat against No. 12 ranked Utah, where they lost 51-47, bringing their overall record to 5-6 and 4-4 in the conference.

Key Players to Watch

For the Buffaloes, several players will be pivotal in their quest for victory. Senior wide receiver Sincere Brown has had a solid season, recording 21 catches for 366 yards and two touchdowns. Coach Deion Sanders hopes Brown can deliver a breakout performance this week. Linebacker Reginald Hughes has been a key contributor, ranking third on the team with 54 tackles while also adding four quarterback hurries and a fumble recovery.

The Buffaloes will rely on the kicking prowess of Alejandro Mata, who has one of the best field goal percentages in CU history at 90% (9-for-10). Quarterback Kaidon Salter, returning to the starting position after a stint on the bench, has thrown for 1,242 yards, 10 touchdowns, and six interceptions this season. Additionally, safety John Slaughter is making a name for himself, leading the team with two interceptions and contributing 21 tackles.

On the other side, the Wildcats boast their own set of standout players. Running back Joe Jackson recently broke the school record for rushing yards in a game, amassing 293 yards against Utah. He leads Kansas State with 769 rushing yards and five touchdowns this season. Quarterback Avery Johnson remains a dual-threat, having thrown for 2,270 yards and 18 touchdowns while rushing for 441 yards and eight scores.

Defensively, Zashon Rich has made significant contributions with 54 tackles and 10 pass breakups, while defensive end Cody Stufflebean has recorded 21 tackles and 4.5 sacks. With wide receiver Jaron Tibbs stepping up in the absence of star player Jayce Brown, he leads the team with 43 receptions.

Strategic Insights

As the Buffaloes prepare their offense, coach Sanders has opted for Salter to add a dynamic running element. Under his leadership, the team averaged 151.2 rushing yards per game in Salter’s first six starts, a noticeable increase from their season average of 123.3. Running backs Dallan Hayden and Micah Welch performed well last week, combining for 117 yards on 15 carries.

Kansas State’s defense has been less effective this season, currently ranked 12th in the Big 12 for points allowed per game (27.8) and 13th in yards allowed (391.9). Coach Chris Klieman acknowledged the explosive potential of the Buffaloes, stating, “I think they’re really explosive on offense. I think it’s collectively as good a group of wide receivers as we’re going to play.”

K-State’s run game reached new heights last week with a school-record 472 rushing yards, led by Jackson’s impressive performance. Klieman noted the challenge of replicating this success against a struggling Colorado defense, which ranks last in the conference in run defense, allowing an average of 224.0 yards per game.

Special teams will also play a crucial role in this matchup, with Mata maintaining a strong season for Colorado. On the Wildcats’ side, kicker Luis Rodriguez has excelled with a field goal success rate of 12-for-14, including a long of 51 yards.

As the game approaches, both teams face their own hurdles. Colorado seeks to avoid finishing the season on a five-game losing streak, while Kansas State aims to secure a bowl game appearance, having made the postseason in 13 of the last 15 seasons. The stakes are high as these two teams prepare to clash in what promises to be an exciting encounter.