Missouri defense turns the tables

Kansas State was scoreless in the second half.

By Sean Leahy

Published Nov. 14, 2009

MANHATTAN, Kan. — It’s a story all-too-familiar to the Tigers.

The first half starts out close before the offense falls completely silent in the second.

But this time it wasn’t the Missouri offense doing the sleeping. Victims of turnovers and a lockdown performance in the red zone by the Tiger defense, it was the Kansas State scoring attack lulled to bed.

Missouri kept Kansas State out of the end zone the whole game and shut out the Wildcats in the second half to help give the Tigers their second conference win.

Kansas State’s 12 points were the lowest it has scored since putting up nine points Sept. 19 at UCLA.

“This was big for us,” senior nose tackle Jaron Baston said. “Coming here, they haven’t lost all year at home and we made a big statement today.”

The Tigers limited the damage in the red zone by allowing three field goals and shutting out the Wildcats on their other two trips.

Kansas State’s only points of the day came on four field goals from junior kicker Josh Cherry.

“We both got chances down there,” coach Gary Pinkel said. “We got touchdowns and they mostly got field goals and that separated us a little bit at the end.”

The importance of giving up three points instead seven made an impression on redshirt freshman defensive end Aldon Smith.

“That’s a real big thing for your defense,” Smith said. “Having a touchdown scored on you and having a field goal are two different things. If you can hold a team to a field goal, with a great running back like they had, it’s a real good accomplishment.”

Aldon was referring to Wildcat junior Daniel Thomas. Missouri allowed 79 yards against Thomas and 112 yards total on the ground.

In addition to limiting points allowed and stuffing the ground game, turnovers keyed momentum shifts throughout the game.

With the score tied 3-3 and Kansas State threatening for a touchdown, Wildcat senior wide receiver Brandon Banks fumbled the ball out of the end zone for a touchback.

The Tigers went on to score a touchdown on their ensuing possession, the first seven of 21 points they would score off turnovers on the day.

“We got some great turnovers, and we didn’t give up any turnovers,” Baston said. “Whenever you can do that, then you’re going to come out on top.”

Missouri forced another fumble and intercepted a pass in the fourth quarter.

It was toward the end of that quarter when Missouri made one last defensive statement.

With the score 38-12, Kansas State had the ball first-and-goal at the Tiger two-yard line.

Three straight rushes by senior quarterback Grant Gregory resulted in a gain of one yard.

On fourth down, Gregory’s pass attempt to Banks fell incomplete, and the ball was turned over on downs.

The game’s outcome wasn’t at stake, but Missouri still reveled in the stop.

“At that point in the game, it was clear that we were going to win, but for a fourth down stand half an inch from the goal line, it’s unbelievable,” sophomore linebacker Will Ebner said.