Kansas State could not stay healthy as they lose 38-28 to TCU in Fort Worth.

K-State’s first drive resulted in a punt, but on the last play of the drive, quarterback Adrian Martinez injured his right leg. On the ensuing TCU drive, they got a 65-yard touchdown from quarterback Max Duggan to wide receiver Derius Davis to go up 7-0.

This led to junior quarterback Will Howard coming into the game for the Cats. Prior to Saturday’s game, Howard’s play had been spotty at best, but he clearly left that all behind him as he came out the gate slinging it like a pro in the first half.

On his first drive, he led the team 74 yards down the field on just four plays capped off by a tremendous catch by super senior wide receiver Kade Warner for a touchdown from 28 yards out to tie the game 7-7.

The Wildcats' defense held TCU to a field goal on their next drive to give the Horned Frogs a 10-7. It was a 43-yard field goal from kicker Griffin Kell.

Howard marched the team back down the field once again with a 37-yard reception from senior wide receiver Malik Knowles getting them to the 1-yard line. Howard used his 6’5 215 pound frame to get his way into the endzone to go up for the first time at 14-10.

Kansas State’s defense got their first stop forcing a TCU punt. Howard continued his magic completing a couple of passes to redshirt freshman running back DJ Giddens and junior running back Deuce Vaughn to set them up in the redzone. They capitalized again with a touchdown pass to senior tight end Sammy Wheeler from nine yards out to give them a 21-10 with 10:44 to go in the second quarter.

After a TCU three-and-out, the running game got in on the fun for the K-State offense as Vaughn got his 29th rushing touchdown of his career and his fourth of the season. This one was on an explosive run of 47 yards to grow the Wildcats’ lead to 28-10 with 8:09 remaining in the second quarter.

After a TCU turnover on downs and a K-State three-and-out, junior running back Kendre Miller burst free for a 48-yard run to get their drive going. This was the start to a ten-play 91-yard drive finished off by tight end Jared Wiley to bring the Horned Frogs back within two scores at 28-17 with just :20 left in the first half.

TCU got the ball out of the break, and they were able to make some chunk plays. Wiley had a 30-yard reception and Miller converted a first down on a 3rd & 17 on a screen pass. From the two-yard line, they went for it on 4th & goal and got a touchdown from Miller to make it a ballgame again. With 8:12 to go in the third quarter, TCU trailed 28-24.

K-State needing a response was gifted with more injuries. This time to Howard on the last play of the drive which resulted in a missed 44-yard field goal by kicker Chris Tennant.

Things went from bad to worse as wide receiver Quentin Johnston got free down the sideline for a 54-yard touchdown to give TCU the lead back to continue their dominant third quarter.

It was then time for freshman quarterback Jake Rubley to get his first meaningful minutes in college football. He was clearly not ready as he threw an interception on his first throw.

The defense was able to get a stop, but the offense questionably went for it on 4th & 1 and tried to sneak it, but it didn’t work. This gave TCU great field position at the K-State 30-yard line with 13:55 remaining.

The Horned Frogs didn’t take long to score as Miller got into the endzone again for his second touchdown of the day to go up 38-28 with 12:14 left.

Howard was able to return to the game, but it did not help. They got a few first downs, but Warner was wide open in the endzone and he missed him. Tennant missed another field goal this time from 40 yards out.

K-State could not stay healthy as they had many players go down with injuries throughout the game. The Cats were up 28-10 with less than a minute to go in the second quarter and the defense for the first time this season was unable to get crucial stops when they needed them.

The biggest stops that they needed to get were the final drive of the first half and the first drive of the second half. These propelled the Horned Frogs’ momentum, not allowing K-State to get into any sort of rhythm. They were leading by two scores, they blinked, and all of a sudden, they were losing. 

Howard was 13-for-20 with 225 passing yards and two touchdowns with a garbage-time interception. He also had nine carries for 31 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.

Vaughn was held in check besides the one explosive play as he had just 12 carries for 83 yards with a touchdown.

Duggan went 17-for-26 with 280 passing yards and three touchdowns. Miller ran all over the K-State defense with 29 carries, 153 rushing yards and two rushing scores.

The Wildcats fall to 5-2 on the season and 3-1 in conference play tying them for second place with Oklahoma State. They will play the Cowboys next week with kickoff at 2:30. This is a must-win for the Cats if they want to find a spot in the conference championship game.

TCU improves to 7-0 on the season and 4-0 in conference play as they control their own destiny in the conference race.