Now that we’ve covered the Kansas State defense it’s time to take a look at their offense before they face off with the UCLA Football Bruins in the Cactus Bowl which is right around the corner.
We have already taken a look at the Kansas State offense vs. the UCLA Football defense but in case you missed it make sure to take a look at it below.
Now of course we can’t talk about the Kansas State offense without first talking about the kind of defense it will face from the UCLA Football team. On paper the starting defense for the 2017 season looked talented in plenty of places but beyond the depth beyond the starting group had plenty of questions.
Related Story: Cactus Bowl 2017: UCLA Football offense vs. Kansas State defense
It wasn’t just the depth that had questions too. There would be new and talented starters but experience was in short supply. Still, I don’t believe anyone would have expected the defense to be a sieve for much of the season. It was the run defense that was particularly upsetting. There were clear depth issues, bad run fits, missed tackles and bad discipline in terms of both eyes and lanes.
The pass defense also endured it’s share of struggles but those issues were compounded with a pass rush that was on life support most of the year. The Bruins rarely got home with just four men and when they had to bring pressure they exposed a young and beat up secondary.
Most concerning was the ease with which, young, inexperienced and raw QBs moved the ball on the UCLA Football defense. K.J. Costello might grow to be the next great Stanford QB but the Bruins should have been able to exploit his youth. Although he didn’t exactly put up video game numbers, what he did do was take full advantage of the man coverage the Bruins were playing to slow the run game.
Even before pulling out the amazing comeback win against Texas A&M, the UCLA defense was having trouble slowing true freshman QB Kellen Mond as he executed the read-option to perfection. Basically the UCLA Football defense boils down to this, if there’s a run game there’s going be trouble.
That doesn’t exactly bode well for the Bruins as they’ll be facing a young QB who was third on the depth chart before injuries forced him in. And oh yeah, there’s a run game to deal with. Let’s start our deep dive into the Kansas State Wildcat offense.
Kansas State Run Game
Let’s get the bad news out of the way first. Kansas State wants to run the ball and they’re going to be able to. Their offensive line is powerful but not overly athletic. What they are is sound in their assignments and technique. Often disciplined technique from lesser quality athletes can beat more athletic players who freelance and rely on talent.
The Wildcats run a heft of their plays out of 11-personnel or one tight end and one running back although they will bring in a second TE to lineup in line when they want an extra blocker in the run game.
Skylar Thompson may have been third on the depth chart to start the season but when he was handed the keys the offense the young freshman displayed not only the ability to be a dangerous runner but also the strong arm to make defenses pay when they try to crowd the box. What he lacks in experience he makes up for in moxie and is prone to tucking the ball whether it’s a designed QB run or not.
Just as many other spread teams do, the Wildcats love to spread the field on designed QB runs with four wideouts and offset running back as a lead blocker. They of course also implement plenty of read-option concepts as well and between starting RB Alex Barnes and Thompson, defenses are forced to pick their poison.
The aforementioned Barnes is going to give the UCLA Football defense fits. He’s not a burner and isn’t the most dynamic player out of the backfield. Instead he’s a blue collar, hard-nosed, contact seeking ball carrier. He’s a bit of a long strider but once he gets going he’s difficult to bring down. Dalvin Warmack will spell Barnes and is more of a jitterbug player but with his compact frame he’s surprisingly strong and isn’t just a scatback.
One player to keep your eye on is fullback Winston Dimel. Not the biggest or most athletic back on the roster, Dimel epitomizes Kansas State football with his tough style. He will occasionally receive a carry or catch a pass but where he excels and is most valued is as a lead blocker.
Like I said before, this offensive line isn’t the most athletic and in fact they’re strong but not overwhelmingly so. If you stack the box and can actually slow the run then you should be in good position to hold the point of attack. However, the UCLA Football defense has struggled with not only putting enough bodies in the box but even when they do they’re constantly out of position to make the tackle or don’t attack the play.
The strength of this offensive line is on the edges behind RT Dalton Risner and LT Scott Frantz. Frantz is actually a devastating puller and when he’s out in front on off-tackle runs look for big yards to be gained. Both are very solid run blockers but leave something to be desired in the pass protection market. More on that later.
The longer developing off-tackle run with a pulling guard or tackle are a favorite for Kansas State because it doesn’t ask a player like Barnes to try and out run anyone to the edge. Instead it allows the OL to keep everything in front of them and the RB to follow his blockers. This is a well coached group but clearly limited. For the Bruins to stop this group they need to have their DL hold their blocks and not allow the Wildcat offensive line to disengage and move up to the linebackers. This UCLA defense is going to need to be aggressive but has struggled mightily to defend the read-option in 2017.
The UCLA Football team had some of their most consistent success when they deployed a 3-4 look against the Memphis Tigers with Keisean Lucier-South and Jaelan Phillips operating as the stand up LBs. That athleticism on the edge gave the Bruins a better ability to hold the edge and defend the QB runs instead of asking one of their DL to give chase. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this look deployed again from the Bruins.
You typically don’t get forced into using your third string QB and actually have a better passing offense. Head Coach Bill Snyder’s typically doesn’t like to play young players but that’s a conversation for another piece. What he has found though is his young freshman QB has played more than well enough to be an exception to that rule.
Thompson flashes a strong arm on the comeback and the out route that take advantage of the bail technique that is increasingly common among college corners. He also isn’t afraid to chuck it up on deep shots. What he still needs to improve is consistent accuracy. While the outs and comebacks are easier throws for him to make with his arm strength, he isn’t nearly as accurate downfield and often looks as though he’s pressing his throws.
The offensive line as a whole is an okay pass blocking group but have really benefited from mobility at the QB position. They can break down against three man pressures and the very next play handle a five man pressure with ease. They’ll be facing a DL that hasn’t exactly put fear into the hearts of QBs. The tackles will be tested though against young players like Marcus Moore and Jaelan Phillips. Can these guys find a way to get home and pressure Thompson?
Isaiah Zuber is the go to receiver for this offense. Zuber is a very solid route runner, displays good hands and isn’t afraid to get out there to throw a block. The comebacks and outs are a great usage of his quick feet and ability to cut on a dime.
Dominique Heath may be a smaller player but he can have a huge impact from his slot position. He’s dangerous in space and difficult for larger defensive backs to stick with because of his ability to change direction. He’s also an incredibly dangerous punt returner. Thanks in part to him and the next guy we are going to talk about, the Wildcats are one of the best scoring special teams units in college football.
When you have a dynamic player you do everything you can do try and get the ball in his hands. That’s why you’ll see Byron Pringle lined up as a kick returner and a WR for Kansas State. He’s a bigger body at six-foot-two, 209 pounds, and has absolute jets for wheels. This is why he’s so dangerous in this offense.
Because Thompson and Barnes are such able runners defenses are caught between playing man and zone. If you play man and devote an extra man to the run defense there’s a chance you’ll get burned by Thompson keeping it and gaining big yards. If you want extra eyes on potential run downs and you fool one of the corners or safeties look for Pringle to get open deep. Like I said, you have to pick your poison.
Pringle has also seen his production pick up following the injury to third receiver Dalton Schoen who broke his collarbone late in the season. Pringle was able to able to quell any fears about the passing offense taking a hit with his 166 yard, three score game against Oklahoma State in the second to last game of the regular season.
With the Wildcats finding much of their success with outbreaking routes the Bruins might actually be best served playing a Tampa-2 style defense in coverage. Squat on the shorter routes and force Thompson to either hold the ball and create a sack or he tucks it and runs and the spying player makes the tackle. Making the throw between the safety over the top and corner is a difficult throw for even the most experienced of QBs. While Thompson has the arm strength to make it, I’m not sold that he’s sharpened that skill enough yet. Force the Kansas State offense to beat you on the ground, frustrate a young QB and force him into turnovers.
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The UCLA Football defense is going to be in for a fight with an offense that does a good job taking care of the football and will almost lull you to sleep before taking a big shot against you. If the Bruins are disciplined with both their eyes and their technique then this game will quickly devolve into a shootout that the Bruins don’t want. They’re more talented, more athletic and have the better QB. But there’s nothing he can do defensively.