Kansas State Football: 3 takeaways from clutch win over Texas Tech

Kansas State football followed up its upset of Oklahoma with a gutsy win against pesky Texas Tech. What did we learn from this one?

Chris Klieman picked up his tenth win at Kansas State and 82nd overall in Kansas State’s 31-21 victory over Texas Tech.

The Wildcats played a disciplined yet physical game, grinding out a win even when it looked somewhat bleak.

This is another week where Kansas State is showing that under Klieman, they can contend in the Big 12, a race that now appears even more wide open with Texas’ loss earlier this afternoon.

What did we learn in this game?

3. Bend-don’t-break defense is asset, but could become liability

Kansas State’s defense is incredibly physical. Multiple hard hits, including a couple that could have been called as targeting, were a major reason for Saturday’s win.

The Wildcat defense knocked Alan Bowman out of the game early, forcing Texas Tech backup quarterback Henry Colombi into the game.

Kansas State gave up their fair share of yards — Texas Tech actually out-gained Kansas State by 67 yards — but the Wildcats defense held tough when it needed to, including forcing a turnover on downs on Tech’s last possession of the game. Kansas State forced a turnover as well, and held Texas Tech to two field goal attempts, both inside the red zone. Both were missed, and even just one of those resulting in points might have meant a whole different ballgame.

You’d have to think that eventually, the bend-don’t-break defense will catch up to Kansas State. You can only give up so many yards and have the opponents not convert those into points so many times.

Still, the defense forces big plays when it’s needed, whether it be sacks, turnovers or just big pass blocks. The defense is certainty an asset, but the possibility is there for it to become a liability.