Season 3, Game 2:@ Kansas State

Milwaukee College Penguins (1-0, #82) vs. Kansas State Wildcats (1-0, #13)

I had said in my pre-season thoughts that this would be our first major test. We traveled overnight to Manhattan, Kansas and practiced in the palatial KSU Stadium. Nuts. The U-shaped stadium felt like it could hold over 50,000 people.

And it sounded much more than that on game day. Yikes. Somehow, the game garnered the attention of the regional television team. The cameras, the announcers, and really, the crowd, all worked against us. On top of that, our starting QB, M. Koch (QB #22) was out with a pinched nerve.

Remarkably, back-up quarterback Root (QB #5) wasn't cowed by any of the above-mentioned factors. This was her first start of her career! After the Wildcats scored easily on their first possession, the defensive squads traded three-and-outs. Then Root marched the Penguins down the field in a masterful scoring drive, capped by Wetzel's (HB #47) first running score of the season.

Tied going into the half. But it should've been much more. We couldn't capitalize on K Anderson's (SS #26) or Bennett's (CB #10) interceptions. Root also threw an interception. I hate those interceptions right at the goal line.

Kansas State made some big adjustments and came out and scored TDs on their first two possessions. Quickly, it was 21-7. We pressed but we could only come up with a field-goal from Chi (K #40). I went for it a couple of times and fourth-and-short but failed each time. Root was frustrated out there - despite the score this was a winnable game. I made some bad calls, putting our defense up against the wall, but our receivers also made 6 drops. 6 drops.

First major test: failed.

STATS: MKE- KSU

score: 38-10
first downs: 17-17
total offense: 302-499
rushes - yards: 33-104 --- 27-149
comp-att-TD: 15-38-0 --- 14-23-4
passing yards: 198-350
sacked: 1-0
turnovers: 1-3
fumbles - lost: 1-0 --- 0-0
intercepted: 1-3
top: 18:11 -- 13:45

KEY PLAYERS (Offense)

Root (QB #5) 78.0 rating, 15-38 for 198 yards, 1 INT; 10-26 rush (2.5 avg)
Wetzel (HB #47) 22-73 rush (3.3 avg), 1 TD
Morgan (WR #88) 4-64 yards (16 avg)
Franklin (WR #81) 3-50 yards (16.6 avg)
Bogner (LT #52) 6 pancakes

KEY PLAYERS (Defense)

Conti (MLB #72) 8 tackles (2 for loss)
Miller (RE #62) 4 tackles (1 for loss)
Bennett (CB #10) 4 tackles, 1 INT
Germain (DT #91) 3 tackles
Price (LE #90) 3 tackles

NOTES: Our next game is homecoming. We face the Fightin' Illini. Hope to see all of Milwaukee there.