Auburn Opponent Breakdown: Kansas State Wildcats

3 of 5

Sep 6, 2014; Ames, IA, USA; Kansas State Wildcats running back wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) is tackled by Iowa State Cyclones defensive back Sam E Richardson at Jack Trice Stadium. Kansas State beat Iowa State 32-28. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

Offense

Co-Offensive Coordinators: Dana Dimel and Del Miller

Offensive Style: Multiple Spread, (11, 12, 10, 21 Personnel)

Offensive Depth Chart – Projected Starters

QB 15 Jake Waters, 6-1, 210, Senior

RB 24 Charles Jones, 5-10, 197, Sophomore

WR 16 Tyler Lockett, 5-11, 175, Senior

WR 14 Curry Sexton, 5-11, 183, Senior

WR 6 Deante Burton, 6-2, 205, Sophomore

TE 85 Zach Trujillo, 6-5, 256 Senior

LT 55 Cody Whitehair, 6-4, 309, Junior

LG 77 Boston Stiverson, 6-4, 312, Junior

C 66 BJ Finney, 6-4, 303, Senior

RG 61 Drew Liddle, 6-3, 288, Senior

RT 65 Matt Kleinsorge, 6-5, 306, Junior

They are never the flashiest team, and they don’t receive a lot of national attention, but the Kansas State Wildcats are always competitive and they can beat any team on any given night.

The offense will go as far as quarterback Jake Waters will take them. So far in 2014, he is the team’s leading rusher in addition to handling the passing duties. In two games, the senior has completed 62.8% of his passes for 462 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. As a runner, Waters has 193 yards and four touchdowns on 37 carries, which includes five sacks.

More from Auburn Football

Last season, Waters completed 159 of his 260 pass attempts (61.2%) for 2,349 yards, 18 touchdowns and nine interceptions while splitting time with Daniel Sams. With Sams first switching to wide receiver in the off-season and then deciding to transfer following spring practice, the quarterbacking duties are all Waters’ this year.

Charles Jones and DeMarcus Robinson are the top two running backs for the Wildcats, though their 38 combined carries in two games are just one more than Waters has had himself. Thus far in 2014, Jones has 130 yards and four touchdowns on 21 attempts, while Robinson has added 70 yards. Robinson is also the team’s second leading receiver with six catches for 64 yards. Other players that could factor into the running game include Jarvis Leverett, Jr., Judah Jones and backup quarterback Joe Hubener.

The best player on the roster for K-State is wide receiver Tyler Lockett, an All-American candidate. Lockett caught only one pass in the season opening win against Stephen F. Austin – a nine-yard touchdown – but was a major factor in Week 2.

Against the Iowa State Cyclones, Lockett had six catches for 136 yards, including a 57-yarder. The 5-foot-11, 175-pound senior had 81 catches for 1,262 yards and 11 TDs in 2013, and now has 150 receptions, 2,340 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns in three-plus seasons. He was voted to the All Big 12 first team last season and was a second team All-American.

Curry Sexton was the team’s third leading receiver last season and he has six catches for 39 yards this year. Deante Burton and Kody Cook combine to make the receiving corps one of the strongest units on the team.

Tight end Zach Trujillo is a solid receiving option and has four catches for 61 yards through two games after recording only five receptions for 111 yards and a touchdown in 2013. Glenn Gronkowski, a last name you might recognize, plays fullback and tight end. He has two catches for 27 yards.

The offensive line returns only two starters from the 2013 unit, and has already allowed five sacks through two games. K-State is averaging 5.1 yards per carry in 2014, however, which is a good sign. Center BJ Finney was a first team All-Big 12 selection last season, and guard Cody Whitehair was a second-teamer.

Home/Auburn Football