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Max Olson
Kansas State coach Chris Klieman fought again tears in a susceptible postgame information convention Saturday, following a 51-47 road loss to No. 12 Utah that dropped his crew to 5-6 this season.
The Wildcats rushed for a school-record 472 yards, second most by any FBS crew this season, and held a 12-point lead with seven minutes remaining. The Utes rallied again, beginning with an interception return on a 2-point conversion try, and scored 14 factors within the sport’s last three minutes to win.
Klieman known as it one of many biggest efforts he has been part of as a coach and stated he was heartbroken for his gamers, who’ve stored preventing throughout a difficult yr stuffed with accidents, shut losses and negativity from their fan base.
“We’re down so many gamers, and I do know lots of people thought we would come over right here and lay down, and that possibly the children had cashed it in,” Klieman stated. “As a result of I’ve heard it sufficient. I’ve heard I’ve cashed it in. I’ve heard the gamers have cashed it in, we have to get new management right here, we have to get new gamers, new coaches. I am bored with it. I obtained to be sincere with you, I am bored with it.
“I’ve given my friggin’ … life for this place for seven years. I’ve given the whole lot for seven years. And I believe I deserve a bit of little bit of respect. I am annoyed like everyone else is, however I really like these children. And I am going to go to friggin’ battle with these children any day.”
The Wildcats’ offense put up 574 complete yards in opposition to the Huge 12’s No. 2 scoring protection and obtained a record-setting efficiency from operating again Joe Jackson, who broke this system’s single-game dashing mark with 293 yards and three touchdowns.
“We advised the fellows we have been going to decide to operating the soccer, and advised the fellows purchase into it, consider in it, we’re operating the soccer in opposition to these guys as a result of no one has tried it like we will attempt it,” Klieman stated. “And the children purchased into it. Youngsters do not buy into it in the event that they’ve given in. Youngsters do not buy into it in the event that they’re midway out the door. Our youngsters purchased into it, and we stuffed it down their throat your entire sport operating the soccer.
“And we misplaced. And I am crushed due to that. However I’ll get up right here with friggin’ pleasure and say we battled our ass off in opposition to an excellent crew. I am crushed we misplaced a soccer sport, however I am extra upset with…”
Klieman paused for greater than 20 seconds, attempting to include his feelings, earlier than Kansas State athletic director Gene Taylor walked as much as the stage and threw his arm round Klieman to console him because the coach wiped tears from his eyes.
“You ain’t going anyplace, brother,” Taylor advised Klieman. “You perceive that? We have got your again. We have got your again.”
Kansas State ranked No. 17 within the preseason AP ballot and was anticipated to be a Huge 12 title contender after a 9-4 season in 2024. The Wildcats misplaced three of their first 4 video games, together with a season-opening defeat to Iowa State within the Aer Lingus School Soccer Basic in Dublin, Eire.
5 of the crew’s six losses have been determined by one-score margins apart from a 43-20 residence loss to Huge 12 front-runner Texas Tech on Nov. 1.
The Wildcats have additionally misplaced a number of key starters to season-ending accidents, together with linebacker Austin Romaine, defensive finish Tobi Osunsanmi and extensive receiver Jayce Brown. Operating again Dylan Edwards left this system Nov. 7 and transferred after a number of damage setbacks.
Klieman led Kansas State to a Huge 12 championship in 2022 and beforehand received 4 FCS nationwide championships as head coach at North Dakota State earlier than taking up the Wildcats because the successor to legendary coach Invoice Snyder in 2019.
The Wildcats might want to defeat Colorado of their residence finale Nov. 29 to safe bowl eligibility. They’ve gone to bowl video games in every of their previous 4 seasons beneath Klieman.
