It was exactly the performance fans were hoping to see on Saturday as K-State routed Florida Atlantic 63-7. The Wildcats put up spectacular numbers on both sides of the ball, holding the Owls to just 211 total yards and allowing only one touchdown, which came in the game’s fourth quarter. However, K-State also created a large number of mistakes, committing 12 penalties for 105 yards. It’s a problem that has plagued the Wildcats in their first two games and one that head coach Bill Snyder intends to fix.
“Those are things that have to take place in the course of a ballgame and in the course of practice,” said Snyder. “It is a discipline element, and that requires accountability and coaches are responsible for implementing the accountability. It is not after the fact on game day, it is during the course of the week. We have to do a better job of holding players accountable when those things take place in the course of a practice week. There is an approach to scrutinizing that more closely.”
Although the contest was well in hand by the end of the first quarter, players know they’ll need to clean things up before the first Big 12 conference game rolls around in just a few weeks.
“That is not who we are,” said junior linebacker Elijah Lee. “We have to start focusing and doing the little things right because having those type of penalties in league play will kill us.”
Despite the mental mistakes, Snyder says he’s pleased to see continued improvements. 
“I don’t look at the statistics, only when the season is over, but just based on the assessment and evaluation of where we are right now, I would say, yes, we are an improved defensive football team from last year,” Snyder said. “I think that would speak very negatively of us as coaches if we were not considering the fact that we have a good deal of experience coming back as well. As I have said so many times, experience is a major factor whether it is good experience or not and some of it last year was not. Being on the field and experiencing certain things, understanding how to deal with those things that you experience on the field and know what to go back next week and prepare for and improve upon. I think our guys have done that and I think we are reacting quicker. I have said that in here a number of times that the experience gives you the ability to process information faster and consequently react faster and consequently play faster.”
The Wildcats were desperately needing to find a rhythm on offense following a week one loss at Stanford that left many questioning their potential. That problem was quickly turned on its head against FAU, as four K-State running backs combined for 336 yards, including 73 yards on eight carries from redshirt freshman Alex Barnes.
“It wasn’t a fluke,” Barnes said. “Our offense has worked on the rushing attack all spring and all fall. It’s really been a point of emphasis for us, especially this season. That’s something that Coach Snyder has been talking about since camp. It’s something we take pride in. That’s what we’ll be doing in the future.”
Sophomore running back Dalvin Warmack was also a big part of the action, putting up a career-high 90 yards on eight carries. The newfound depth has generated several questions regarding the starting running back position, but those in contention for the spot find it a welcomed challenge.
They’ll hope to have more fun finding even greater success against Missouri State on Saturday.