2008 Kansas State Wildcats - Recruiting Class

Kansas State Wildcats 2008 Head Coach: Ron Prince

Kansas State Wildcats

2008 Recruiting Class

Star of the Class

Grant Valentine  LB  6-3  240 Burbank, Calif. (Glendale CC)
Had 14 sacks and 70 tackles as a freshman in 2006. Also named 1st Team All-Western State Conference. Tallied 93 tackles and 9.5 sacks during sophomore campaign... Earned WSC Pacific Division and CCCFCA Region III Defensive Player of the Year honors... Named a JC Grid-Wire All-American... Earned first team all-conference honors as a freshman.

Potential Instant Impact Players

Attrail Snipes WR 6-1  180 Rainer Beach, Wash. (Bakersfield College)
Had 21 catches for 399 yards and five touchdowns in 2006. In 2007 on the track, he clocked 10.6 seconds in the 100 meter dash, a 21.7 in the 200-m and a 48.2 in the 400-m. His vertical leap is 40.5 inches. In summer of 2006, the last time he ran a timed 40, he ran a 4.36.

Wade Weibert OL 6-5 300 Hillsboro, Kan. (Butler County CC)
Athletic player who qualified out of high school. Could play guard or tackle.

Rest of the Class

Brandon Banks	WR	5-8	170	Garner, N.C. (Bakersfield College)
Dustin Bell	DB	6-0	180	Dallas, Texas (Bakersfield College)
Josh Berard	LB	6-2	220	Redondo Beach, Calif. (El Camino CC)
Javonta Boyd	DL	6-3	290	St. Petersburg, Fla. (Northeast)
Kwamaine Brown	RB	5-8	185	Seminole, Fla. (Osceola)
Daniel Calvin	DL	6-4	310	Bakersfield, Calif. (Bakersfield College)
Jarell Childs	RB	6-3	216	Kansas City, Mo. (Oak Park)
William Cooper	OL	6-5	260	Hayti, Mo. (Hayti)
Logan Dold	RB	6-1	200	Garden Plain, Kan. (Garden Plain)
Ethan Douglas	OL	6-6	285	Basehor, Kan. (Basehor Linwood)
Antonio Felder	LB	6-3	245	Warner Robbins, Ga. (Butler County CC)
John Finau	DL	6-1	295	Los Angeles, Calif. (El Camino CC)
Tony Gillespie	DL	6-1	298	Jenks, Okla. (Jenks)
Brandon Harold	DE	6-5	260	East St. Louis, Ill. (East St. Louis)
Jack Hayes	DL	6-4	270	Columbia, Miss. (Gulf Coast CC)
Adrian Hilburn	WR	6-2	190	New Braunfels, Texas (San Francisco CC)
Blair Irvin	DB	5-11	185	Patterson, La. (Coffeyville CC)
Joseph Kassanavoid	QB	6-6	215	Lawson, Mo. (Lawson)
Collin Klein	QB	6-4	202	Loveland, Colo. (Loveland)
Billy McClellan	DB	5-9	180	Torrance, Calif. (Harbor CC)
George Pierson	P	6-0	180	Arlington, Va. (Tyler JC)
Ulla Pomele	LB	6-1	235	Santa Rosa, Calif. (Santa Rosa JC)
Edward Prince	OL	6-5	280	Starkville, Miss. (Copiah-Lincoln CC)
Aubrey Quarles	WR	6-0	190	Aurora, Colo. (Santa Rosa JC)
Hansen Sekona	LB	6-0	230	San Mateo, Calif. (College of San Mateo)
Kenny Session	RB	5-8	190	Tulsa, Okla. (East Central)
Blake Slaughter	LB	6-0	219	Missouri City, Texas (Elkins)
Daniel Thomas	RB	6-2	227	Hilliard, Fla. (NW Mississippi CC)
Braden Wilson	ATH	6-4	220	Smith Center, Kan. (Smith Center)

- 2007 KSU Season
- 2007 KSU Preview
- 2006 KSU Season

2007 Schedule
CFN Prediction: 6-6
2007 Record: 5-7

Sept. 1 at Auburn L 23-13
Sept. 8 San Jose St W 34-14
Sept. 15 Missouri St W 61-10
Sept. 29 at Texas W 41-21
Oct. 6 Kansas L 30-24
Oct. 13 Colorado W 47-20
Oct. 20 at Oklahoma St L 41-39
Oct. 27 Baylor W 51-13
Nov. 3 at Iowa State L 31-20
Nov. 10 at Nebraska L 73-31
Nov. 17 Missouri L 49-32
Nov. 24 at Fresno State L 45-29

2007 Recap

Recap: While it sort of got overshadowed by Nebraska’s meltdown, Kansas State was a major Big 12 disappointment in 2007.  Coming off a momentum-building bowl season, and littered with young talent, the Wildcats failed to reach bowl eligibility four weeks in-a-row, losing to Iowa State, Nebraska, Missouri, and Fresno State.  What’s worse, head coach Ron Prince appeared to lose his kids down the stretch, meaning the honeymoon is officially over for the second-year coach.

Offensive Player of the Year: WR Jordy Nelson

Defensive Player of the Year: DE Ian Campbell

Biggest Surprise: For the second time in under a year, Kansas State sucker punched Texas, 41-21, on Sept. 29.  Last November, the ‘Horns played in Manhattan and without QB Colt McCoy for most of the game.  This season, however, the game was in Austin, and McCoy was healthy, but the ‘Cats were just better, picking off four passes and scoring two special teams touchdowns.    

Biggest Disappointment: Kansas State’s inability to finish meant there were plenty of disappointments in 2007, but none bigger than a 30-24 loss to rival Kansas.  Considered an upset at the time, the Wildcats relinquished a fourth quarter lead, losing at home to the Jayhawks for the first time since 1989.   

Looking Ahead: All of the goodwill amassed by Prince in 2006 has been replaced by a growing feeling of concern and discontent around Manhattan.  With Mizzou and Kansas on an uptick, Kansas State needs to patch up the defense, and regroup quickly around franchise QB Josh Freeman.

Nov. 24
Fresno State 45 ... Kansas State 29
Kansas State got up early with a 67-yard James Johnson touchdown dash and a 45-yard Leon Patton run, and then the wheels came off as Fresno State scored 28 straight points with Tom Brandstater throwing two touchdown passes and running for another. The Wildcats got back into the game with two seconds to play in the first half on a three-yard Jordy Nelson touchdown catch, but Fresno State came out dominating the second half with scoring drives from 91 and 71 yards out. The Bulldogs cranked out 549 yards of total offense and held on to the ball for 41:32.
Player of the game: Fresno State QB Tom Brandstater completed 23 of 29 passes for 313 yards and two touchdowns
Stat Leaders: Kansas State - Passing: Josh Freeman, 27-41, 256 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: James Johnson, 9-71, 1 TD. Receiving: Jordy Nelson, 15-165, 1 TD
Fresno State - Passing: Tom Brandstater, 23-29, 313 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Will Harding, 22-115, 1 TD. Receiving: Marlon Moore, 9-134, 2 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ...  What the heck happened to the defense? Getting torched by Missouri is one thing, but making Fresno State look like, well, Missouri is another. The Wildcats had four shots at bowl eligibility and blew it badly with three winnable games against Iowa State, Nebraska and now Fresno State going into the tank because the defense couldn't come up with a stop. The secondary was awful because there wasn't any semblance of a pass rush. A brilliant season by WR Jordy Nelson, and a great second year from Josh Freeman, were completely wasted.

Nov. 17
Missouri 49 ... Kansas State 32
Chase Daniel threw four touchdown passes, with two to Martin Rucker, and Jeremy Maclin was unstoppable as Missouri opened up a tight game with a 14 point fourth quarter run. Maclin caught touchdown passes from eight and 44 yards out, and answered a first quarter Wildcat field goal with a 99-yard kickoff return for a score. Kansas State took a first half lead with a blocked punt for a score and a 66-yard James Johnson touchdown run, but the Tigers took the lead for good on their next drive with a nine-play, 81-yard march with Rucker making a scoring catch from eight yards out. Mizzou outgained Kansas State 427 yards to 406.
Player of the game: Missouri WR Jeremy Maclin caught nine passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns, ran two times for eight yards, returned two punts for 15 yards, and returned six kickoffs for 194 yards and a score.
Stat Leaders: Kansas State - Passing: Josh Freeman, 26-44, 320 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: James Johnson, 16-129 yds, 1 TD. Receiving: Jordy Nelson, 9-125, 1 TD
Missouri - Passing: Chase Daniel, 28-41, 284 yds, 4 TD
Rushing: Tony Temple, 16-75, 2 TD. Receiving: Jeremy Maclin, 9-143, 2 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ...  The KSU defense did a better job against Missouri than it did against Nebraska, but that's not saying a whole bunch. The problem was the offense with Josh Freeman and the passing game failing to get on track until the fourth quarter, and by then the Tigers had the game in hand. Now a win over Fresno State is a must to be bowl eligible, but the chances of getting a 13th game are unlikely without a little bit of help.

Nov. 10
Nebraska 73 ... Kansas State 31
Nebraska turned on the offense big-time, rolling for 702 yards with 510 coming from the arm of Joe Ganz, who threw seven touchdown passes including three to Frantz Hardy. Kansas State cranked out 528 yards of its own and scored first on a 21-yard Jordy Nelson catch, answered by a 94-yard Cortney Grixby return for a score, and had a 10-7 lead with a 31-yard Brooks Rossman field goal. And then the roof caved in, as the Huskers scored 45 straight points with all three Hardy scores, a five-yard Marlon Lucky run, and a 23-yard Todd Peterson catch. Josh Freeman threw two touchdown passes and ran for a score for the Wildcats.
Player of the game: Nebraska QB Joe Ganz completed 30 of 40 passes for 510 yards and seven touchdowns, and ran for 18 yards..
Stat Leaders: Kansas State - Passing: Josh Freeman, 26-44, 320 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: James Johnson, 16-129 yds, 1 TD. Receiving: Jordy Nelson, 9-125, 1 TD
Nebraska - Passing: Joe Ganz, 30-40, 510 yds, 7 TD
Rushing: Marlon Lucky, 16-103, 2 TD. Receiving: Maurice Purify, 6-108
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ...  All of a sudden, an extremely promising season has gone into the tank with Missouri coming up next. The Kansas State secondary was nowhere to be found against Nebraska, even though there was a little bit of a pass rush, and even though the offense did a decent job. KSU ran into a buzzsaw, with the defense unable to stop Nebraska from doing whatever it wanted. On the plus side, Josh Freeman had a solid day bombing away once the game got out of hand, and Jordy Nelson once again solidified his All-America status.

Nov. 3
Iowa State 31 ... Kansas State 20
Iowa State overcame a 194-yard receiving day from Jordy Nelson with two short touchdown runs from Alexander Robinson in the first half, a 21-yard interception return for a touchdown from Chris Singleton, and a spark from off the bench in Austin Arnaud. Arnaud came in to replace a mediocre Bret Meyer, and he got the offense moving. Kansas State bombed away, for 347 passing yards, and got a 13-yard score from Nelson and a five-yard touchdown run from James Johnson late in the third quarter, but couldn't get on the board again in the fourth. Kansas State was held to 78 yards rushing.
Player of the game: Iowa State QB Austen Arnaud completed five of seven passes for 130 yards, and ran six times for 19 yards
Stat Leaders: Kansas State - Passing: Josh Freeman, 28-44, 347 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: James Jonson, 14-95, 1 TD. Receiving: Jordy Nelson, 13-194, 1 TD
Iowa State - Passing: Austen Arnaud, 5-7, 130 yds
Rushing: Alexander Robinson, 25-61, 2 TD. Receiving: Todd Blythe, 2-91
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... What happened to the running game? The Wildcats all but ignored the ground attack against Iowa State and let Josh Freeman bomb away. While he got his yards, and Jordy Nelson put on yet anther All-America show, the offense wasn't nearly as crisp or as productive as it's been over the past few weeks. This wasn't a letdown game considering last week's win was over Baylor, and now the Wildcats will have to get winning to secure a decent bowl bid, needing one more win. Considering what Kansas pulled off against Nebraska, next week's game in Lincoln should be interesting.

Oct. 27
Kansas State 51 ... Baylor 13
Kansas State forced seven turnovers and got three touchdown passes and two touchdown runs from Josh Freeman in the easy win. Jordy Nelson caught a six-yard touchdown pass and put a cap on the scoring with a 92-yard punt return for a score. The Wildcats scored the first 16 points of the game on a one-yard Freeman run and three Brooks Rossman field goals, and then Baylor made it interesting for a few minutes with a 52-yard Thomas White touchdown catch, the first of two scores on the day. The Wildcats bounced back with a 22-yard Deon Murphy scoring play, and the blowout was on.
Player of the game: Kansas State WR Jordy Nelson caught eight passes for 105 yards and a touchdowns, and returned a punt 92 yards for a score
Stat Leaders: Baylor - Passing: Blake Szymanski, 15-21, 213 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Jacoby Jones, 6-28. Receiving: Thomas White, 4-118, 2 TD
Kansas State - Passing: Josh Freeman, 22-33, 247 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Leon Patton, 17-113. Receiving: Jordy Nelson, 8-105, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Kansas State beat Baylor with tremendous ease. Seven takeaways, perfect offensive balance, great play from the special teams, it was all there. The only possible knock is the inability to put the Bears away in the first half, settling for three field goals, but that's nitpicking. If the team really is good enough to get into a good bowl, it should with road games at Iowa State and Nebraska before dealing with Missouri. If it plays as well as it did this week, the next two weeks shouldn't be a problem.

Oct. 20
Oklahoma State 41 ... Kansas State 39
In a wild game with 1,039 yards of total offense, a career-high 404 yards passing from KSU's Josh Freeman, and 329 rushing yards from Oklahoma State, it came down to a 26-yard Jason Ricks field goal with two seconds to play to give OSU  the win. Kansas State had scored on an 11-yard Leon Patton touchdown run with just over a minute to go, but rather than go for the extra point and the tie, KSU went for two, got it on a Jordy Nelson catch, and forced the Cowboys to go for the win. Nelson was unstoppable with touchdown catches from 17, 46 and 11 yards out, but the Oklahoma State running game was just as on. It took a Perrish Cox 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown after the 46-yard Nelson score to spark a run of 17 OSU points, but the Wildcats hung in drive for drive. OSU QB Zac Robinson threw three touchdown passes and ran for 109 yards.
Player of the game: In a losing cause, Kansas State WR Jordy Nelson caught 12 passes for 176 yards and three touchdowns, and he caught a two-point conversion
Stat Leaders: Oklahoma State - Passing: Zac Robinson, 11-25, 181 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Dantrell Savage, 28-124, 1 TD. Receiving: Adarius Bowman, 6-81
Kansas State - Passing: Josh Freeman, 36-51, 404 yds, 3 TD
Rushing: Leon Patton, 9-62, 1 TD. Receiving: Jordy Nelson, 12-176, 3 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Did Kansas State head coach Ron Prince screw up by going for two at the end of the Oklahoma State game? KSU got the two to go up by one, and while OSU likely would've played it conservative to force overtime if it was tied, it had to push down the field to try to win the game after the successful conversion. This was a game the KSU defense should've been able to pull off. All year long it's been strong, but when it had to come through with a big stop late, it couldn't do it. The run defense should've matched up perfectly with OSU, but it didn't matter, getting hammered on for 329 yards. That won't be a problem against Baylor next week.

Oct. 13
Kansas State 47 ... Colorado 20
Kansas State got up 10-0 helped by a five-yard James Johnson run, but Colorado hung around in the first half on a one-yard Jake Behrens touchdown catch and two Kevin Eberhart field goals. But the Wildcats kept the Buffs at bay in the second half, with Deon Murphy catching a 28-yard touchdown pass and Courtney Herndon returning a blocked punt for a score. Johnson put the icing on the cake with a 68-yard scoring dash. Colorado's Jordon Dizon mad 11 tackles, while Kansas State's Justin McKinney led the way with 12 tackles and an interception.
Player of the game: Kansas State RB James Johnson ran 20 times for 159 yards and two touchdowns
Stat Leaders: Colorado - Passing: Cody Hawkins, 19-41, 223 yds, 1 TD, 3 INT
Rushing: Hugh Charles, 22-171, 1 TD. Receiving: Scotty McKnight, 6-63
Kansas State - Passing: Josh Freeman, 15-27, 214 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: James Johnson, 20-159, 2 TD. Receiving: Jordy Nelson, 4-93
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... The Wildcat offense continues to be creative, especially in the ways it gets its big-play runners in space, while the defense was a rock when it had to be against Colorado, especially on third downs. The Buffs only converted one of 12 third down chances, while the running of James Johnson helped control the tempo. The D could've been a bit better against the run, but that's nitpicking. With Oklahoma State's ground game coming up, the linebackers are going to have to make even more plays before the backs get to the secondary.

Oct. 6
Kansas 30 ... Kansas State 24
Kansas answered a halfback touchdown pass from Leon Patton to Deon Murphy late in the fourth quarter with nine points in the final 6:27 on a 30-yard Dexton Fields touchdown catch and a 24-yard Scott Webb field goal. Each team made several long scoring drives after Kansas State started out the scoring with a 68-yard Jordy Nelson touchdown catch. Each team responded to the other's big plays, with Todd Reesing throwing three touchdown passes to overcome three interceptions, and Patton running for a seven-yard score to go along with his touchdown pass. KU's Aqib Talib caught a five-yard touchdown pass, and put a nail in the coffin with an interception.
Player of the game: Kansas QB Todd Reesing went 22-of-35 for 267 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions, while rushing for 16 yards on seven carries.
Stat Leaders: Kansas - Passing: Todd Reesing, 22-35, 267 yds, 3 TDs, 3 INTs
Rushing: Brandon McAnderson, 12-81. Receiving: Dexton Fields, 6-78, 1 TD
Kansas State - Passing: Josh Freeman, 31-48, 305 yds, 1 TD, 3 INTs
Rushing: James Johnson, 11-30. Receiving: Jordy Nelson, 10-137, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... The lack of a consistent running game, and three Josh Freeman interceptions, proved to be too much against Kansas. Freeman threw the ball relatively well, throwing for 305 yards, and was accurate, but there weren't enough good drives in the second half. The one great drive resulted in a field goal, and with the momentum shifting back and forth, the Wildcats weren't able to get it back in the final seven minutes. To beat the better teams, KSU has to win the special teams battle and can't turn the ball over. Tim Reyer made sure KSU won the punting game with a phenomenal performance, averaging 47.2 yards per kick with four kicks inside the 20, but the three turnovers turned out to be more costly than KU's three interceptions.

Sept. 29
Kansas State 41 ... Texas 21
Special teams and defense helped Kansas State blow past Texas, with Ian Campbell taking an interception 41 yards for a touchdown, James Johnson returning a kickoff 85 yards for a score, and Jordy Nelson bringing back a punt 89 yards for a touchdown. Texas appeared to overcome early problems with a six-yard Jamaal Charles touchdown run in the third quarter pulling the Longhorns within three, but KSU scored the final 17 points of the game helped by a two-yard Johnson touchdown. The Wildcat offense only gained 272 yards, but the defense came up with four interceptions and held Texas to 330 yards.
Player of the game: Kansas State WR Jordy Nelson caught 12 passes for 116 yards and a touchdown, and returned a punt 89 yards for a touchdown
Stat Leaders: Kansas State - Passing: Josh Freeman, 22-38, 177 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: James Johnson, 19-77, 1 TD. Receiving: Jordy Nelson, 12-116, 1 TD
Texas - Passing: Colt McCoy, 19-39, 20 yds, 1 TD, 4 INT
Rushing: Jamaal Charles, 17-72, 1 TD. Receiving: Jermichael Finley, 4-51
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... It's not like Josh Freeman had a bad game, but the defense and special teams play against Texas allowed the offense to get relatively conservative and not force Freeman to do anything out of his comfort zone. To beat Kansas next week, there will need to be more from the offense, or else the return game will have to be special again. Don't take anything away from KSU, though. This was a phenomenal win against a fired up team, and now, with the defense dominating, this is a legitimate threat for the Big 12 title.

Sept. 15
Kansas State 61 ... Missouri State 10
Jordy Nelson set a school record with 15 catches, threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Deon Murphy, and James Johnson ran for three scores, as Kansas State rolled at will over Missouri State. The Wildcats scored the first 24 points of the game until MSU got on the board late in the first half on a nine-yard King Washington run. Johnson opened up the second half with two scoring runs, Nelson caught an 18-yard touchdown pass, and Deon Murphy returned a punt 80 yards for a score. KSU outgained MSU 546 yards to 191.
Player of the game: Kansas State WR Jordy Nelson caught 15 passes for 209 yards and a touchdown, and he also threw a 24-yard touchdown pass
Stat Leaders: Kansas State - Passing: Josh Freeman, 26-39, 287 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: James Johnson, 16-114, 3 TD. Receiving: Jordy Nelson, 15-209, 1 TD
Missouri State - Passing: Cody Kirby, 9-17, 62 yds
Rushing: Kingjack Washington, 10-45, 1 TD. Receiving: Clay Harbor, 4-53
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... The Wildcats had no problems opening it up on poor Missouri State, but it was a needed blowout with two weeks off before playing Texas. During the time off, the passing game has to come up with a dangerous number two receiver to pick up the slack when everyone from here on out tries to double cover Jordy Nelson. The other thing to work in is slowing down the penalties. KSU committed a whopping 16 sins for 162 yards against MSU.

Sept. 8
Kansas State 34 ... San Jose State 14
Kansas State had few problems getting past the Spartans as Josh Freeman threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Deon Murphy and ran for a one-yard score in the first half, and James Johnson and Murphy each had scoring runs in the fourth quarter. San Jose State didn't let the game get out of hand until the fourth, but it struggled to put pount on the board as it only managed a 20-yard Jalal Beauchman touchdown catch in the second quarter before getting back on the board late on a 21-yard Jacob French scoring grab.
Player of the game ... Kansas State RB James Johnson ran 15 times for 111 yards and a touchdown
Stat Leaders: Kansas State - Passing: Josh Freeman, 25-36, 272 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: James Johnson, 15-111, 1 TD  Receiving: Jordy Nelson, 6-82
San Jose State - Passing: Adam Tafralis, 16-20, 134 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Myles Eden, 7-33  Receiving: Kevin Jurovich, 10-82
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Josh Freeman might not have been razor sharp against San Jose State, but he was good enough in what was a nice step forward for a team that came oh-so-close to beating Auburn. The real find was a running game that was non-existent against the Tigers, as James Johnson was effective on his limited work. He only got 15 carries, but he made something happen every time he touched the ball. DE/LB Ian Campbell got a sack, but he still hasn't been the difference maker at his new position that he was last year. The Missouri State game next week should work out all the problems before dealing with Texas.

Sept. 1
Auburn 23 ... Kansas State 13
Auburn got all it could handle, finally getting the lead late on a three-yard Gabe McKenzie touchdown catch with 2:01 to play, and then putting it away with a 34-yard Antonio Coleman fumble recovery for a score after Quentin Groves sacked KSU QB Josh Freeman. The Wildcats used a trick play to take a 10-6 lead early in the third quarter as WR Jordy Nelson threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Leon Patton, but the offense could only manage two Brooks Rossman field goals for the other points. Auburn got three Wes Byrum field goals.
Player of the game ... Auburn DE Quentin Groves made five tackles, two sacks, three tackles for loss and forced a fumble
Stat Leaders: Kansas State - Passing: Josh Freeman, 32-57, 268 yds, 2 INT
Rushing: James Johnson, 7-14  Receiving: Jordy Nelson, 9-90
Auburn - Passing: Brandon Cox, 17-30, 229 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Ben Tate, 23-82  Receiving: Prechae Rodriguez, 6-73
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... A more experienced team, with a more experienced coaching staff, would've found a way to pull off the win over Auburn. The running game only averaged 1.7 yards per carry, the pass protection in crunch time was nearly non-existent, and the 16 penalties for 141 yards were a killer. Even so, and even with a loss, this was a big day for QB Josh Freeman. He didn't throw a touchdown pass, but for the most part, he kept his poise and gutted it out despite an apparent ankle injury. The defense has to find ways to get Ian Campbell more involved. Now a hybrid of a linebacker and end, he didn't make enough plays.