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Kansas State Football: Will Wildcats bounce back in 2019?

By John Scimeca

NORMAN, OK - OCTOBER 27: Quarterback Skylar Thompson #10 of the Kansas State Wildcats looks to throw against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated Kansas State 51-14. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - OCTOBER 27: Quarterback Skylar Thompson #10 of the Kansas State Wildcats looks to throw against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated Kansas State 51-14. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /
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FORT WORTH, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 03: AJ Parker #12 of the Kansas State Wildcats makes a tackle against Ni’Jeel Meeking #19 of the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium on November 03, 2018 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 03: AJ Parker #12 of the Kansas State Wildcats makes a tackle against Ni’Jeel Meeking #19 of the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium on November 03, 2018 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Defense a specialty for Chris Klieman

Holding teams to 25 points per game is no mean feat for a Big 12 team. Kansas State managed that in 2018, including holding high-powered offenses like Texas Tech and Oklahoma State to 25 points and 20 points below their season averages, respectively. Kansas State defeated the Red Raiders 21-6 and the Cowboys 31-12 last year.

Chris Klieman is a coach whose perspective begins on the defensive side of the ball. Last year, the Bison held opponents to 289 yards per game, fifth-best in all of FCS.

In Klieman’s final season, North Dakota State held Montana State to 10 points in its playoff opener and shut out Colgate in the quarterfinals en route to another national championship. The Bison also held opponents to 12.6 points per game, the third-best mark in FCS.

The key for Kansas State’s defense this season will be replacing cornerback Duke Shelly, who was often vital in covering the other team’s top wideout.

Overall, though, the team may lean on the defense early in the season: the Wildcats return eight defensive starters, led by senior defensive linemen Trey Dishon and Reggie Walker.

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