Rutgers football game week opponent profile: Kansas State
The Rutgers football team is set to travel to Phoenix, Arizona, this week for the Rate Bowl against Kansas State. The Scarlet Knights (7-5, 4-5) are coming off an impressive 41-14 route of Michigan State in the final game of the regular season. This will mark just the second time Rutgers and the Wildcats (8-4, 5-4) have met on the field, dating back to their first meeting in 2006.
Kansas State is coming off an impressive season, defeating a handful of tough conference opponents. Despite the success, the Wildcats found themselves in a stacked Big 12 conference, ultimately finishing eighth.
The Daily Targum sat down with Toby Hammes, the sports editor for the Kansas State Collegian, to preview Thursday’s matchup.
Kansas State has been spoiled with success under head coach Chris Klieman, making four bowl games since 2019 and winning eight or more games in each of those seasons. The culture of the Wildcats is one that many fans believe is what has led to so much success.
“Klieman loves to emphasize that it’s a player-led team,” Hammes said. “The team hasn’t missed a bowl game other than the Covid year … so I mean it’s a program based on consistency.”
Much of Kansas State’s consistency this season has come from quarterback Avery Johnson, who broke out last year in the Pop-Tart Bowl. In his first year as a starter, Johnson has surpassed expectations, throwing for 22 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Johnson is also a threat with his legs, tallying 548 yards and six touchdowns on the ground this year as his team’s second-leading rusher.
“Everyone knew he would be the face of the program … and the ceiling truly is the Heisman,” Hammes said. “I mean, it’s hard to do but I mean by his senior year, if he has the experience, I think he can compete.”
One main piece that the Wildcats will be without is runningback DJ Giddnes, who has declared for the 2025 NFL draft. In three seasons, Giddens has tallied 3087 rushing yards, which is third all-time in rushing yards in Kansas State history. Giddens rushed for 100 or more yards in 7 of 12 games this season.
“There’s tons of studs in the Big 12 running back game and DJ Giddens, he can do it all (which) is the amazing thing,” Hammes said. “In the receiving game, on the ground, obviously he averages six plus yards per carry … K-State is really going to miss him in the bowl game.”
Defensively, the Wildcats are a stout unit on the line and in the linebacking corps, led by Brendan Mott and Austin Romaine. Mott has been a game-wrecker for Kansas State, recording 8.5 sacks and an interception this year. Romaine leads the Wildcats in tackles and has been a leader on the field for the fifth-ranked defense in points per game allowed in the Big 12. But the Kansas State defense will be without a key piece on Thursday.
“Kileman just announced that CB one Jacob Parish … will not play after declaring for the draft,” Hammes said. “With that news, I would add, the secondary is the biggest question mark for K-State defensively in this game.”
As for his prediction for the bowl game, Hammes believes it will be a tightly contested offensive performance by both teams.
“I’ll say K-State 27, Rutgers 20,” he said.
The Knights look to capture their second straight bowl victory and seventh overall under head coach Greg Schiano. Thursday’s matchup is set to kick off at 5:30 p.m. EST and will be broadcast on ESPN and 88.7 WRSU-FM.
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