WEEK 7 GAME SCHEDULE
Friday, October 11, 2024
Utah Utes vs Arizona State Sun Devils
8:30 p.m. MDT/7:30 p.m. MST (ESPN)
Utah Notes
THE GAME
The University of Utah Football team is headed to Tempe, Ariz., to take on the Arizona State Sun Devils under the lights on Friday, Oct. 11. The game is set for an 8:30 p.m. MDT kick on ESPN.
NEW CONFERENCE, SAME TRADITION
Utah Football has begun a new era in 2024, joining the Big 12 Conference. The Utes have also been a part of the Rocky Mountain Conference (1910-1937), the Big Seven (1938-1947), the Skyline (1948- 1961), the Western Athletic Conference (1962-1998), the Mountain West (1999-2010) and the Pac-12 (2011-2023). • Utah is 446-261-19 all-time in conference games (.627), including its first win in the Big 12 against Oklahoma State (Sept. 21, 2024, W, 22-19). • Utah is 32-11 in conference games since 2019. • The Utes bring 28 conference championships with them to the Big 12. • The Utes have won a conference championship in their first year in a new conference three times (1938, 1st in Big Seven; 1948, 1st in Skyline; 1999, tied for 1st in Mountain West).
THE NUMBERS
• Head Coach Kyle Whittingham is set to coach in his 373rd overall game at Utah and his 247th as head coach on Friday. • Utah is only allowing opponents to convert on third downs 24-percent of the time, which ranks first in the Big 12 and fourth in the FBS. • Utah is leading the Big 12 and ranks second in the FBS in time of possession (35:27). • Entering the game Friday, Utah and Arizona State will be facing off for the 35th time.
UTAH FOOTBALL: NEED TO KNOWS
• Utah enters the week ranked No. 16 in the AP and No. 17 in the Coaches Poll. The Utes have been ranked inside the top-25 all six weeks this season. • Utah’s defense is only allowing 12.6 first downs per game, ranking first in the Big 12 and third in the FBS in first downs defense. • Utah is averaging 2.4 sacks per game in 2024, which leads the Big 12. • The Utes have posted a winning record in 10 straight seasons, dating back to 2014. Utah has also finished with a winning season in 17 of Whittingham’s 19 years as head coach. • In its first year in the Big 12, Utah was voted to win the conference in the preseason media poll with the most first place votes.
Arizona State Notes
Saturday, October 12, 2024
Cincinnati Bearcats vs Central Florida Knights
3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2)
Cincinnati Notes
BEARCATS LOOK TO EVEN ALL-TIME SERIES WITH UCF AFTER BYE WEEK
• Cincinnati will travel to Orlando, Fla., to face the UCF Knights on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2). • The Bearcats will look to even the all-time series to 5-5 and stop a two-game losing streak to the Knights. • Cincinnati has used the bye week to bounce back and return health after falling to Texas Tech, 44-41, in a classic Big 12 shootout in Lubbock, Texas, in which the Bearcats were down to their fourth- and fifth-string running backs due to injury. • The Bearcats’ two losses are by a combined four points two opponents who are 10-1 — Pitt (5-0) and Texas Tech (5-1). • QB Brendan Sorsby had a history-making night and Jones AT&T Stadium in UC’s last game on Sept. 28, throwing for 426 yards and four touchdowns and adding a team-best 52 rushing yards. His 478 total yards are the most by a Big 12 player this season and the fifth-most in UC history. He was named the Big 12 Newcomer of the Week for a second time following his performance. • Cincinnati is 11-5 (69%) coming off a bye since 2015. UC also has an open week on Nov. 2 this fall.
THE CINCINNATI-UCF SERIES HAS BEEN MUST-SEE TV
• Cincinnati and UCF spent recent years at the top of the “Group of Five” prior to joining the Big 12 Conference in 2023, developing a rivalry along the way. The Knights won 25 straight games and two AAC titles in 2017 and 2018. Cincinnati actually handed UCF its first AAC loss in three years in a historic 27-24 Friday night win 2019 which propelled the Bearcats to back-to-back league titles and AP Top 10 finishes in 2020 and 2021. The 2019 win gave birth to a true freshman cornerback named Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner who had a pick-six in the game that sparked the victory. • The Knights have won the last two matchups, including last year’s 28-26 game at Nippert Stadium. Cincinnati had a chance to tie the game in the final minutes, but a two-point conversion failed. Corey Kiner and Ryan Montgomery both rushed for 100 yards as UC held a 515-393 edge in total yards in the 2023 contest, but turned the ball over twice.
BEARCATS BUILDING A RESUME
• The Bearcats are 3-2 with the losses coming by four total points to teams with a combined 10-1 record. • Cincinnati has the nation’s 11th-most efficient offense according to ESPN’s Football Power Index. • UC ranks second in the Big 12 and 16th nationally in total offense (485.0) and No. 11 nationally in first downs (118). • Led by S Jiquan Sanks (five starts), 10 true freshmen have played a total of 409 snaps on offense or defense, which is already more than the 2021, 2022 and 2023 seasons combined (260). Sanks has 17 tackles and classmate LB Simeon Coleman has 16. • TE Joe Royer (Ohio State transfer) leads all Big 12 tight ends in receptions (20) and is second in yards (262). • P Mason Fletcher, a 2022 Ray Guy Finalist, is averaging 46.6 per punt. The single-season UC record is 46.9 by Kevin Huber (2007). • DT Dontay Corleone, a 2022 All-American, returned to the starting lineup Week 2 after blood clots were discovered this summer. He was named to the PFF National Team of the Week after living in the backfield at Texas Tech, finishing with an 89.9 grade. • Corleone (2022), Fletcher (2022) and RG Luke Kandra (2023) are all AP Third Team All-Americans. • RB Corey Kiner has two 100-yard games in 2024 and nine career 100-yard games. UC is 3-1 when he has 20+ carries. • Kandra is the Big 12’s top-rated right guard (77.8) according to PFF. Gavin Gerhardt is PFF’s No. 2 C in the league (73.4). Led by Kandra and Gerhardt, UC is allowing pressures on drop-backs just 10% of the time – which is the third-fewest in the nation per PFF. • Derrick Canteen (84.8) ranks as PFF’s No. 1 Big 12 safeties and the third-best in the Power 4.
SORSBY LEADS UNDER CENTER
• Sorsby has proven to be one of the nation’s top quarterbacks through five games in 2024, passing for 1,481 yards and 12 touchdowns with just one interception. He is completing 66.3% of his pass attempts and his 165.6 efficiency rating leads the Big 12. His QBR of 80.6 ranks No. 2 in the conference and 14th in the nation. His PFF grade (87.4) ranks second in the Big 12. • Twice he has been named the Big 12 Newcomer of the Week – following Week 1 and Week 5. • Prior to his prolific Texas Tech performance, Sorsby was dominant in a 34-0 win over Houston on Sept. 21. After missing on his first attempt of the game, Sorsby completed 12 straight passes. He finished 12-of-15 for 188 yards with three total TDs. • Overall, he is 43-of-60 (72%) for 614 yards and seven total touchdowns over the last two games combined.
FOURTH DOWN WARRIORS
• Cincinnati is a perfect 5-for-5 on fourth down conversion attempts this season, one of three teams with a perfect conversion rate on multiple attempts, the other two being Minnesota (7-for-7), Old Dominion (4-for-4). • In addition, the Bearcats rank 12th in the country in fourth down defense. Opponents are just 3-of-11 (27.3%) when going for it on fourth down against UC.
BEARCATS COMING OFF BYE WEEK
• Cincinnati is coming off a bye week, the first of two byes this season. The other will be Nov. 2. • Since the start of the 2015 season, UC is 11-5 when coming off a bye week. Its .688 winning percentage during that time is tied for 12th in the nation. • The Bearcats have won five straight road games coming off a bye, including two ranked wins. The Bearcats re 7-3 in their last ten games coming off a bye week.
Central Florida Notes
Arizona Wildcats vs BYU Cougars
2 p.m. MDT/1 p.m. MST (FOX)
THE SERIES:
BYU and Arizona are meeting for the 26th time in the series. The series is also tied 12-12-1 overall, with the Cougars winning the three matchups (2021, 2018 2016). Head coach Kalani Sitake’s first game as a head coach came against the Wildcats in 2016. BYU relied in 162 rushing yards from running back Jamaal Williams and Jake Oldroyd kicked a game-winning 33-yard field goal for an 18-16 win at University of Phoenix Stadium (Arizona Cardinals) in Arizona. The two schools spent nearly two decades together in the Western Athletic Conference, playing 16 times from 1962-1977. This will be the first time since ’77 the two schools meet as conference foes again.
Arizona Notes
» The Arizona Wildcats travel to face the BYU Cougars. FOX will have the broadcast with Gus Johnson (Play-by-play), Joel Klatt (Analyst), and Jenny Taft (Sideline) providing the commentary. FOX pregame show Big Noon Kickoff will have coverage live in Provo, Utah prior to the game. » This is the 26th all-time meeting between the two schools dating back to 1936. Arizona and BYU are tied in the all-time series 12-12-1 with BYU winning the last three matchups. Arizona is 3-4 all-time in Provo. » BYU is 4-1 over the last five games and 7-3 over the last 10 games with a three-game winning streak matching the longest winning streak in the series for BYU. » Arizona owns the longest winning streak in the series, four games from 1970-1973. » Arizona defeated No. 10 Utah, 23-10, two weeks ago, marking the first win over an AP Top 25 opponent for Head Coach Brent Brennan. It was the first loss for Utah to an unranked team at home since falling 21-7 to Washington on Sept. 15, 2018. » That game also marked the Wildcats first road win at Utah since 2014. Arizona has won back-to-back games over Utah for the first time since rattling off four straight victories from 2012-14. » In the season-opening 61-39 win over New Mexico, Tetairoa McMillan became the first player in FBS history to have a game with 10-plus receptions, 300-plus receiving yards, 30.0-plus yards per reception, and 4-plus receiving TD.
AGAINST BYU:
The Arizona Wildcats (3-2, 1-1 Big 12) travel to face the BYU Cougars (5-0, 2-0 Big 12). This is the 26th all-time meeting dating back to 1936. Arizona and BYU are tied in the all-time series 12-12-1 with BYU winning the last three matchups. Arizona is 3-4 all-time in Provo and 8-6-1 at home. The Cougars and Wildcats have played three neutral site games and Arizona holds a 1-2 record in those matchups. BYU is 4-1 over the last five games and 7-3 over the last 10 games with a three-game winning streak matching the longest winning streak in the series for BYU. Arizona owns the longest winning streak in the series, four games from 1970-1973. The last time these teams faced off was Sept. 4, 2021, at Allegiant Stadium. The Wildcats fell 24-16 and in that game quarterback Gunner Cruz completed 34-of-45 passes for 336 yards and one touchdown. Running back Michael Wiley rushed for 64 yards on 15 carries and receiver Stanley Berryhill III made 12 receptions for a team-leading 102 yards. BJ Casteel reeled in the only touchdown pass for the Wildcats in the loss. Berryhill III set a then career-high in receptions with 12 and receiving yards with 102. At that time, he was the first Wildcat to eclipse 100 receiving yards in a game since Tayvian Cunningham in the 2020 season opener vs. USC.
SWARM TO THE BALL:
The Wildcats allowed 10 points to Utah, which marked the fewest points allowed to a top 10 team since shutting out #10 Miami 29-0 in 1994 Fiesta Bowl. The Wildcats held the Utes to just 10 points, marking the fewest first half points by Utah since scoring seven against Northwestern at the 2023 Las Vegas Bowl. Ten points is Utah’s lowest scoring output against a conference team since losing 6-35 to Oregon in 2023. Arizona limited the Texas Tech offense to 28 points, the Red Raiders average 39.33 points per game this season. Texas Tech managed just 14 first downs in the contest, threw two interceptions, and fumbled twice. The Wildcats held the Red Raiders to 2-of-11 on third down conversion attempts. The Wildcats defense held the Red Raiders to just 118 rushing yards, their lowest output on the ground since going for 110 yards against then No. 7 Texas in 2023. The Wildcats are tied for 16th nationally in fourth down conversion defense (3-for-9, .333).
BYU Notes
COMPETING AS A RANKED TEAM:
BYU is No. 14 in the AP Top 25 No. 15 AFCA Coaches Poll. BYU is 23-7 under head coach Kalani Sitake when playing as a ranked team. The appearance in the AP poll is the 282nd overall by the Cougars in program history, which is tied for 35th among all teams. Overall, four Big 12 teams are currently ranked with Iowa State (11/13), Utah (16/17), and Kansas State (18/19). SMU, BYU’s week two opponent moved into the polls at No. 25 after a win over No. 22 Louisville to move to 5-1 on the season. Arizona, Texas Tech, Colorado and Arizona State are all receiving votes in the polls.
CONFERENCE PLAY:
BYU is off to a 2-0 start in the Big 12. Last year, BYU finished 2-7 in league play so the Cougars have an opportunity to pass their 2023 win total in the conference with a win.
BIG NOON KICKOFF:
Making its first-ever trip to the state of Utah, the two-hour FOX Big Noon Kickoff pregame show and tailgate party will be held in the west parking lot of LaVell Edwards Stadium Big Noon Kickoff, hosted by Rob Stone along with analysts Mark Ingram II, Matt Leinart, Urban Meyer and Brady Quinn, provides a preview of the day’s top games live from college campuses across the nation. Saturday’s show will also include detailed analysis and coverage of the Big 12 matchup between BYU (5-0, 2-0) and Arizona (3-2, 1-1).
HOMECOMING.:
It is Homecoming Week on BYU’s campus. For a full list of the universities’ activities, visit homecoming.byu.edu. BYU is 5-3 in Homecoming games under Sitake.
UNDEFEATED STARTS:
The 5-0 start is just the 8th 5-0 start in program history and third under Kalani Sitake. Sitake’s three matches LaVell Edwards for the most 5-0 starts in school history. The Cougars started 5-0 in 2020 and 2021 under Sitake. With a win, BYU would have just its 6th 6-0 start in school history and second under Sitake (2020). BYU also went 6-0 to start 2008, 2001, 1984 and 1979.
Iowa State Cyclones vs West Virginia Mountaineers
8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT (FOX)
ISU-WVU NOTES
The Cyclones meet the Mountaineers for the 12th time, including sixth in Morgantown where they are 2-3 all-time … the teams meet at Milan Puskar Stadium for the first time since 2021. J Iowa State and West Virginia played a triple OT thriller in Morgantown in 2013 … the Cyclones prevailed, 52-44, after trailing 31-7 with 9:05 left in the second quarter and 31-14 entering the fourth quarter … ISU safeties coach Deon Broomfield made the final tackle of the game, stopping the Mountaineers two-yards short of the goal line on fourth down. ISU QB Rocco Becht’s father, Anthony, played at West Virginia from 1995-99 and was a Second-Team All-Big East selection in 1998 and 1999 … he was recently inducted into the WVU Hall of Fame but was unable to attend due to attending Rocco’s game against Arkansas State … Becht will be recognized on the field during Saturday’s game. Iowa State has scored 30+ points in the last five meetings with WVU and is averaging 29.6 points against the Mountaineers under Campbell.
Iowa State Notes
THE LEAD
No. 11 Iowa State looks to extend its five-game road Big 12 winning streak when it travels to Morgantown to face West Virginia Saturday night. The Cyclones are 5-0 for the first time since 1980 and with a win would improve to 6-0 for just the second-time in school history
KEY STORYLINES
Iowa State sits at 5-0 with an opportunity to start 6-0 for the first time since 1938 … ISU’s last 3-0 open to Big 12 play came in 2020 … Matt Campbell is 20-11 in October at ISU, including a 3-0 mark in 2023. J Campbell became ISU’s winningest football coach earlier this season, surpassing Dan McCarney’s previous mark … he is in his ninth season leading the program, the third-longest tenured coach in ISU history and tied for the third-longest active tenure in the Big 12 Conference … in school history, only McCarney (1995-2006) and Clay Stapleton (1958-67) had longer tenures.
The Cyclones maintained their unblemished record last weekend with a 43-21 win against Baylor … ISU trailed 14-3 in the second quarter but outscored BU 40-7 the rest of the way while racking up 542 yards of total offense.
ISU had nine plays of 20 or more yards against the Bears, tied for the most by a Power-4 team against a conference foe this season. J Iowa State’s defense, under the direction of Jon Heacock, leads the Big 12 and ranks sixth nationally allowing just 10 points per game … its passing defense has been stout, yielding just 133.6 yards per game (fifth nationally) … overall, ISU is allowing just 271.6 yards of total offense, 13th nationally and tops in the Big 12 … the longer the game goes, the better the defense gets … in the second half of games, ISU is giving up just 4.0 points and 112.0 yards … in the fourth quarter, opponents are scoring 1.4 points.
The Cyclone defense has a +7 turnover margin, which ranks sixth nationally and leads the Big 12 … five different Cyclones have combined for eight interceptions to rank among the nation’s top 10 … since the start of the 2023 season, ISU has 24 interceptions in 18 games, tied for the fourth-most nationally in that span.
Rocco Becht has a TD pass in nine-straight games after tossing two against Baylor, which is the fifth-longest streak in school history.
Becht’s favorite tandem has made it clear they are one of the nation’s best duos … Jayden Higgins extended his streak with a touchdown reception to seventh-straight games, breaking the school record and the nation’s active leader … Jaylin Noel has two 100-yard games this season and a pair of scores … against Baylor, the pair combined for 13 receptions for 214 yards and Higgins’ score … Noel had a pair of catches in the game that went for 40+ yards.
IN THE (RED) ZONE
ISU has been in the red zone 23 times this season, scoring 15 touchdowns … last season, ISU scored touchdowns 60.7 percent of the time when in the red zone … opponents, meanwhile, have just two touchdowns in seven red zone trips this season.
West Virginia Notes
NOTING THE MOUNTAINEERS
• The 2024 season marks West Virginia’s 132nd season of football. The Mountaineers are the 15th winningest program in college football • The 2024 year marks the 45th season of competition for West Virginia at Milan Puskar Stadium. WVU has a 199-77-4 (.718) all-time mark at the facility, which opened in 1980 • WVU is 5-8 in games played on Oct. 12, including 3-1 at home. The last time WVU played on that date was in 2023 at Houston (L 41-39) and the last time at home was in 2019 (L 38-14) vs. Iowa State • Since 2002, the Mountaineers are 101-15 when winning the turnover battle • Overall, the Mountaineers are 30-9 in the Neal Brown era when rushing for at least 100 yards • West Virginia has surpassed at least 140 rushing yards in 20 of the last 21 games, dating back to 2022 • The Mountaineers are No. 13 nationally in rushing offense, averaging 223.0 yards per game • WVU is No. 26 nationally in first down offense, having 126 first downs in 2024 • West Virginia is averaging 33.0 points per game, ranking No. 41 nationally. • The Mountaineers are averaging 14.25 yards per pass completion, ranking No. 15 nationally • West Virginia has converted 75.0% of its fourth down attempts, ranking No. 12 nationally • WVU is No. 1 nationally in fourth-downs converted (12) • The Mountaineers are ranked No. 2 nationally in fewest penalties per game (18) • West Virginia is averaging 17.22 yards for kickoff return defense, ranking No. 39 nationally • West Virginia’s 31 points in the first half against OSU is its most in a Big 12 game since 2019 • West Virginia’s 259 rushing yards in the first half against OSU are the team’s most in a half since it gained 225 against Cincinnati on Nov. 18, 2023 • West Virginia’s 389 rushing yards at OSU are the team’s most since having 424 against Cincinnati • Quarterback Garrett Greene ranks No. 14 nationally in passing yards per completion (14.74) • Greene ranks No. 35 nationally in yards per pass attempt (8.42) • Running back Jahiem White ranks No. 28 nationally in rushing yards per carry (6.29) and Greene ranks No. 10 in the Big 12 (5.36). • Jahiem White forced 11 missed tackles at Oklahoma State, equaling his career best he established against Cincinnati on Nov. 18, 2023 • WVU had 22 missed tackles forced at OSU and is averaging 12.2 missed tackles, up from 9.1 per game in 2023. • Running back CJ Donaldson Jr. ranks No. 34 nationally in rushing touchdowns (5) and White is No. 8 in the Big 12 (4) • Donaldson Jr. ranks No. 30 nationally in total touchdowns (6) • Receiver Hudson Clement ranks No. 7 in the Big 12 Conference in yards per reception (17.35) • Defensive lineman TJ Jackson II ranks No. 5 nationally in tackles for loss per game (1.7) • Jackson II ranks No. 35 nationally in quarterback sacks per game (0.70).
ON TURF
• Since 1980, West Virginia is 275-129-5 in games played on artificial turf surfaces. • WVU was 57-29 on turf in the 1990s, 66-21 on turf in the 2000s, 61-40 during the 2010s and 26-16 during the 2020s on turf.
OVERTIME GAMES
• The 55-42 overtime loss to Kansas in 2022 marked the 16th and most recent overtime game in West Virginia history. The Mountaineers own a 7-9 record in overtime games. • West Virginia played its first overtime game against Pitt in 1997, dropping a three-overtime thriller, 41-38.
AGAINST THE BIG 12
• West Virginia is 76-47-1 all-time against current members of the Big 12 Conference. WVU is 1-1 against Arizona State; 8-4 vs. Baylor; 2-0 against BYU; 17-3-1 vs. Cincinnati; 1-1 vs. Colorado; 0-1 against Houston; 6-5 against Iowa State; 11-2 vs. Kansas; 6-7 against Kansas State; 6-10 against Oklahoma State; 8-5 vs. TCU; 7-6 vs. Texas Tech, 3-0 against UCF and 0-2 vs. Utah. • The Mountaineers will face Arizona for the first time in 2024.
ON GRASS
• Since 1980, West Virginia is 59-73 in games played on natural grass. The Mountaineers were 20-20 during the 2010 decade, 6-7 during the 2020s and are 46-46 since 2000.
AGAINST RANKED TEAMS
• Beginning with a 27-0 loss to Fordham on Oct. 18, 1941, West Virginia has played 172 games against nationally ranked teams. Of those, 51 have been Mountaineer victories. • Since 1999, WVU has posted 27 victories over ranked teams. Penn State was ranked No. 8/9 in the Associated Press and AFCA Coaches Polls when facing the Mountaineers in Morgantown in 2024.
OFFENSIVE ANALYSIS
• Breaking down the West Virginia offensive numbers for the 2024 season shows that the Mountaineers have run 343 plays, 212 on the ground and 131 through the air. • The rushing game has totaled 1,115 yards, an average of 5.3 yards per carry and 13 touchdowns. The passing attack has totaled 1,083 yards, 8 touchdowns and an average of 14.3 yards per completion. • Combine the two and the Mountaineers have turned in 2,198 yards of total offense, 21 touchdowns, an average of 6.4 yards per play and an average of 33.0 points per game. • Deeper analysis shows that the Mountaineer offense has gained 64 first downs by the run and 50 via the pass. On average, West Virginia has totaled 216.6 yards per game on the ground, 223.0 yards per game passing and 439.6 yards per game of total offense.
TAKEAWAYS
• Over the last 10 years, West Virginia has produced 171 takeaways, No. 41 among Power 4 schools. • Clemson has the most during the 10-year period with 229 while Alabama and Iowa have 214.
FOR STARTERS
• In 2024, 42 Mountaineer players finished with at least one game of starting experience. • Tops on the list are Anthony Wilson Jr. (54), Brandon Yates (39) and Wyatt Milum (37).
NIGHT GAMES
• West Virginia is 90-77-3 all-time in games played after 5 p.m., including 45-49-1 on the road, 37-17-2 at home and 8-11 at a neutral site. • The first night game in WVU history was played at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh on Sept. 19, 1930, between WVU and Duquesne (W/7- 0).
WEST VIRGINIA OFFENSE
• This season’s offensive roster includes 19 true freshmen, seven redshirt freshmen, three sophomores, 10 redshirt sophomores, one junior, nine redshirt juniors, four seniors and three redshirt seniors • The 2024 offensive personnel includes seven quarterbacks, nine running backs, one fullback, 14 wide receivers, six tight ends and 19 offensive linemen • West Virginia’s 31 points in the first half at Oklahoma State marked its most since Sept. 9, 2023, vs. Duquesne • West Virginia’s 259 rushing yards in the first half against OSU are the team’s most in a half since it gained 225 against Cincinnati on Nov. 18, 2023 • West Virginia’s 389 rushing yards against the Cowboys are the team’s most since it rushed for 424 against Cincinnati • WVU has eclipsed 300 yards rushing in two games this season (UAlbany and Oklahoma State) • Running back Jahiem White led the team with 158 rushing yards on 19 carries against OSU • Running back CJ Donaldson Jr. scored two rushing touchdowns against Oklahoma State, marking his first multi-rushing TD game since he scored two against BYU (Nov. 4, 2023) • Quarterback Garrett Greene has eclipsed 80 rushing yards in back-to-back games for the first time since he rushed for 154 yards against Cincinnati on Nov. 18, 2023, and 103 yards against Baylor on Nov. 25, 2023 • West Virginia did not punt against Oklahoma State, marking the first time WVU did not punt in a game since Sept. 17, 2022, versus Towson • The Mountaineer offense has scored at least 30 points in 11 of the last 13 games, dating back to Oct. 12, 2023 • WVU has reached 100 yards on the ground 39 times under Neal Brown • Overall, the Mountaineers are 30-9 in the Brown era when rushing for at least 100 yards • West Virginia has surpassed at least 140 rushing yards in 20 of the last 21 games, dating back to 2022 • The WVU rushing attack averages 223 yards per game, ranking 13th in FBS • West Virginia is the only team in the Big 12 Conference with two players (Donaldson Jr. and White) ranked in the top 10 in rushing yards per game this season • West Virginia has scored at least one rushing touchdown in 39 of its last 43 games • Since 2012, WVU has thrown for 300 or more yards 52 times, 350 or more 31 times, 400 or more 10 times and 500 or more four times • The Mountaineers have thrown for 300 or more yards 12 times under Brown • West Virginia is 36-17 when passing for 300 or more yards since 2012 • West Virginia also has produced 30 games with 400 or more yards of total offense under Brown • WVU has gained at least 500 yards of total offense 14 times under Brown, most recently on Oct. 5, 2024, at Oklahoma State • Wide receiver Hudson Clement leads the Mountaineers with 295 yards on 17 catches this season • He also ranks No. 13 in the conference, averaging 59 receiving yards per game in 2024 • Quarterback Garrett Greene is ranked No. 9 in WVU football history with 25 career rushing touchdowns • Donaldson Jr.’s 24 career rushing touchdowns ties him 10th all-time in career rushing touchdowns • Greene has thrown for 200 or more yards in nine of the last 13 games • West Virginia is tied for No. 2 in the country in fewest penalties this season with 18 • WVU is tied for No. 3 in the country for fewest penalty yards (141) • WVU is tied for No. 12 in FBS in fourth down conversion rate (75%) • West Virginia has 126 first downs this season, ranking it No. 26 in the country • Greene is the fourth WVU quarterback in school history to throw for at least 3,500 yards and rush for at least 1,500 yards for his career • At Pitt, Greene became the 12th player in WVU history to account for more than 5,000 yards. • Hayes is 1-for-1 on field goals from 20-29 yards, 3-for-3 on kicks from 30-39 yards and 2-for-2 on field goals from 40-49 yards • For his WVU career, Hayes is 8-for-8 on kicks from 20-29 yards, 8-for-8 on field goals from 30-39 yards and 7-for-8 on kicks from 40-49 yards • This season, Oliver Straw has punted 12 times for 511 yards, averaging 42.58 yards per punt • For the year, Straw has pinned six punts inside the 20-yard line • West Virginia is ranked No. 39 in FBS in kick return defense, allowing 17.22 yards per return • Wide receiver Preston Fox is ranked No. 10 in the Big 12 in punt returns, averaging 6.3 yards per return
WEST VIRGINIA DEFENSE
• This season’s defensive personnel includes 11 cornerbacks, one defensive back, 21 defensive linemen, 12 linebackers, 10 safeties, three spears and three spurs • West Virginia has intercepted a pass in backto-back games for the first time since Oct. 21, 2023, vs. Oklahoma State and Oct. 28, 2023, vs. UCF • The Mountaineer defense held Oklahoma State to 191 passing yards, marking the second straight game it has held an opponent less than 200 yards passing • WVU has held back-to-back opponents to less than 200 yards passing for the first time since Sept. 16, 2023, vs. Pitt and Sept. 23, 2023, vs. Texas Tech • Oklahoma State’s 36 rushing yards were the least by a WVU opponent since Duquesne gained 3 yards on Sept. 9, 2023 • West Virginia has held three of its last four opponents to less than 80 yards rushing • Linebacker Josiah Trotter recorded his first career interception against Oklahoma State • Trotter is ranked No. 16 in the Big 12 Conference in tackles with 34, averaging 6.8 per game • West Virginia is ranked No. 46 in FBS in tackles for loss, averaging 6.4 per game • Defensive lineman TJ Jackson II ranks No. 35 in the country in sacks (3.5) and is tied for fifth in FBS in tackles for loss (8.5) • SPUR Tyrin Bradley is tied for 17th in the country in fumble recoveries with one • The West Virginia defense has held 14 of its last 17 opponents to fewer than 300 yards passing • WVU has recorded at least four tackles for loss in 24 out of the last 26 games. • WVU’s defense also has recorded multiple sacks in a game in nine of the last 10 games • In 65 games under Neal Brown, the Mountaineers have recorded at least one sack 58 times • Under Brown, the Mountaineers also have held their opponents to fewer than 300 yards of total offense 17 times • West Virginia has held its opponents to fewer than 300 yards passing in 50 of its last 62 games • Since 2019, WVU has held opposing teams to fewer than 250 yards passing 40 times, fewer than 200 yards 24 times and fewer than 150
WEST VIRGINIA SPECIAL TEAMS
• This season’s special teams roster includes two true freshmen, two redshirt freshmen, two redshirt sophomores, one junior, one redshirt junior, one senior and two redshirt seniors • This season’s special teams personnel includes four kickers, three long snappers, three punters and one punter/long snapper • Kicker Michael Hayes II finished 1-for-1 on field goals against Oklahoma State • For the year, Hayes is 6-for-6 on field goal attempts • For his career, Hayes is 110-for-111 on PATs • Hayes is tied for first in the Big 12 Conference with a 100% field goal make rate • The season long for Hayes is 44 yards (versus Pitt on Sept. 14, 2024)
Kansas State Wildcats vs Colorado Buffaloes
9:15 p.m. CT/8:15 p.m. MDT (ESPN)
Kansas State Notes
BIG 12 ROAD TESTS
• K-State is looking to get back to its winning ways on the road in the Big 12 as the Wildcats held a 4-1 conference road record in 2022 on their way to a Big 12 Championship. • Last season, Kansas State was 2-2 in Big 12 road games, while it lost its only conference road game thus far in 2024. • Although winning on the road in the Big 12 has proven difficult for every program, Kansas State leads active conference teams with 57 Big 12 road wins since the league’s inception in 1996. Oklahoma State is second on the list with 55 wins.
BYE WEEK BLUES
• Kansas State is looking to reverse its recent fortunes in games played after bye weeks as the Wildcats are just 3-5 in their last eight chances, including losses in each of the last three. • Of the last eight games following a bye week, five have been road games, and this year the Wildcats come out of their first bye with consecutive road games at Colorado and West Virginia.
A WINNING TRADITION
• Kansas State has totaled 140 Big 12 victories since the conference’s formation in 1996, which stands as the most among active Big 12 programs. • The Cats are also second among active Big 12 members in winning percentage since non-divisional play began in 2011. They sit at 59.7% (71-48), trailing only Oklahoma State (64.2%; 77-43). • During that stretch, the Wildcats are 40-20 (66.7%) at home in Big 12 play and 31-28 (52.5%) on the road.
AMONG THE NATION’S BEST
• K-State has a total of 226 victories since 1996, which ranks 22nd nationally. • Among active Big 12 teams, the Wildcats rank fourth behind BYU (233), Utah (232) and TCU (232). • Over the last 14 seasons, the Wildcats have won at least seven games 12 times.
ON A GOOD RUN
• K-State is riding a streak of three-straight years of at least eight wins, its longest since 2011 (10), 2012 (11), 2013 (8) and 2014 (9). • The Wildcats are the only returning Big 12 team with at least eight wins in each of the last three seasons and one of 13 Power 4 programs to claim that feat. • K-State has 31 wins since 2021, which ranks third among active Big 12 teams behind Oklahoma State and Utah with 32 wins apiece.
AP RANKED STREAK • Kansas State checks in at No. 18 in this week’s Associated Press Top 25 as the Wildcats have been ranked in all seven AP polls this year. • It is the first time K-State has been ranked in the first seven AP polls of a season since appearing in all 17 polls in 2014. • K-State has been ranked in the AP Top 25 on 238 occasions since 1993, the most among active Big 12 teams and ranked 22nd nationally.
NEW OPPONENTS
• K-State is only playing four opponents from last year’s schedule – Houston, Iowa State, Kansas and Oklahoma State – in 2024. • It is the fewest amount of carryover opponents from one year to the next since only three rematches from 1918 to 1919. • Additionally, half of the Wildcats’ schedule is against teams in which they have not faced in at least 10 years, if ever. Those are UT Martin (First Meeting), Arizona (1978), BYU (1997), Colorado (2010), Arizona State (2002) and Cincinnati (1996).
OFFENSIVE NOTES
GROUND AND POUND
• Kansas State enters this week’s matchup at Colorado ranking seventh nationally and second in the Big 12 by averaging 252.2 rushing yards per game, while the Cats are second in the country and tops in the Big 12 in rushing yards per carry (6.93). • K-State’s school record for rushing yards per game is 264.1 yards in 2002, while its record for average yards per rush is 5.27 yards in 2016. • The average is driven by 43 rushes of at least 10 yards to tie for fifth in the nation, while K-State’s eight rushing plays of 30 or more yards this season are tied for fourth in the country. • The Cats have rushed for at least 200 yards in each of the last seven games dating back to last season, their longest streak since the final seven games of the 2016 season.
TOTAL OFFENSE
• K-State has totaled at least 375 yards of offense in 26 of the last 32 games dating back to the beginning of the 2022 season. • During that stretch, the Cats held a 10-game streak against Big 12 foes with 375 or more yards, the longest in school history.
TWENTY-EIGHT IS GREAT
• K-State has scored at least 28 or more points in 12 of its last 13 games, its most over a 13-game stretch since also doing so 12 times over the 2013 and 2014 seasons. • Included in the current stretch of games was an 11-game streak, which was the longest since the 1998-99 seasons when the Cats did so in 16 consecutive games.
RED ZONE SUCCESS
• The 2024 season is a continuation of red-zone success under Chris Klieman, as the Wildcats rank first among active Big 12 programs by scoring on 90.7% (244-of-269) of their overall red-zone trips since 2019 with 181 touchdowns (67.3%). • Last season, the Cats ranked second nationally by finding paydirt on 78.5% percent of their red-zone possessions (51-of65), and they narrowly finished behind Oregon State by 0.11%. K-State would have led the nation last year had the Cats not been in the red zone when taking a knee to close out the PopTarts Bowl win. • K-State enters play this week ranked 22nd nationally and third in the Big 12 in red zone scoring at 94.44% (17-of-18).
DEFENSIVE NOTES
LIMITED POINTS PER GAME
• Since the K-State defense switched from a four-man front to a 3-3-5 alignment at the beginning of the 2021 season (45 games), the Cats are allowing just 21.1 points per game, which ranks 19th nationally and is third among active Big 12 teams. • Additionally, the Wildcats have only allowed 105 offensive touchdowns over that time, which ranks 17th in the nation. • The Wildcats have finished each of the three previous seasons by allowing less than 22.0 points per game, their longest streak since going 13-straight year from 1991 through 2003. • Since head coach Chris Klieman’s first year of 2019, the Wildcats have held 36 of their 46 Big 12 opponents under their season average at the time it faces the Wildcats.
BEHIND THE LINE
• K-State enters this week’s game tied for first in the Big 12 with 2.40 sacks per game, while they are tied for second with 6.6 tackles for loss per game. • The Wildcats have tallied at least 4.0 tackles for loss in four games this year – including 11 TFLs in each of the first two contests – while they have at least two sacks in three contests – including a season-high five at Tulane.
STINGY AGAINST THE RUN
• Kansas State enter this week’s matchup at Colorado ranking 16th in the country and second in the Big 12 by allowing only 91.8 rushing yards per game. • The Wildcats have not surrendered more than 149 rushing yards in a game this season, while they have limited opponents to under 100 rushing yards on three occasions.
CREATING TURNOVERS
• K-State has totaled 70 forced turnovers since the beginning of the 2021 season, which is the third most among active Big 12 teams and tied for 13th among Power 4 teams. • Of the 70 turnovers, 44 have been via interceptions to tie for first among active Big 12 programs and 13th among Power 4 teams.
DEFENSIVE RED ZONE SUCCESS
• The Cats allowed only 39.39% (13-of-33) of opponent red zone opportunities to turn into touchdowns a year ago, and the Wildcats are at it again this season. • Through five games, K-State’s red-zone touchdown percentage of 33.33% (5-of-15) ranks sixth in the nation. • The defense’s performance in the red zone is a stark difference from 2022 when K-State ranked 108th at 67.5% (27-of-40).
SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES BLOCK PARTY
• K-State totaled three blocked kicks in 2023 to rank 10th in the nation and added one in the 2024 season opener. • Last year was the second time under head coach Chris Klieman that the Wildcats had at least three blocks as they had four in 2020 to tie for fourth nationally. • K-State blocked an extra point last year at Kansas that was returned 91 yards for a defensive extra point by Keenan Garber, Marques Sigle blocked a fi eld goal at Oklahoma State, and the Wildcats also blocked a punt at Texas.
SCORING IN THE THIRD PHASE
• The Wildcats continue to lead the nation in total return touchdowns since 2005 with 62, which is 22 more than the next closest team in Alabama (40) and 27 more than the next closest Big 12 programs, Oklahoma State and TCU (34). • Of the 62 total returns, a nation-leading 31 are on kickoff returns, and the next closest team is Houston with 21. • The 2023 season marked the first time since 2004 in which the Wildcats did not score via a kickoff or punt return, but the Wildcats got off the schneid with a blocked punt that was returned for a score against UT Martin and a 71-yard punt return touchdown against Arizona.
DEFENSE ON KICK RETURNS
• K-State has not allowed a kickoff return for a touchdown since the 2013 season, going the last 143 games and 434 returns without allowing its opponent to find paydirt. • The streak is the longest among the active Big 12 teams, 275 more than the next closest team (Arizona State – 159). • Since K-State allowed its last kickoff -return touchdown, the Wildcats have scored 14 of their own.
Colorado Notes
Five Things To Know
1 After allowing 14 different 100 plus yard games by opposing players last season, Colorado is one of only six school to not allow a 100-yard rusher or receiver, along with Army, La. Tech, N. Illinois, Ohio State, and Oklahoma.
2 The last time Colorado started 2-0 in overall conference play was in 2020 (2007 in the Big 12).
3 With next week’s game against Arizona announced to be on FOX that makes six game that will be on main network television this season (ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC) the most ever at Colorado.
4 Colorado is allowing only 5.2 points in the second half this season, including only seven points total in the third quarter.
5 Freshman Jordan Seaton and Micah Wech have been making the names known. Seaton was recently named to the On3 Midseason Freshman All-American Team and Welch leads all true freshman running backs with three rushing touchdowns.
Colorado leads the all-time series by a 45-20-1 count, which includes a 17-15-1 edge at Manhattan (and a 28-5 mark in Boulder). The Buffs own a 17-8-1 lead in the series since 1985, with wins five of the last eight times out (though CU’s five have been by a total of 24 points and K-State’s three by 69). Kansas State won four straight between 1997 and 2000, but Colorado wins in 2001 and 2002 started CU’s march to back-to-back Big 12 North Division titles: 16-6 in ’01 at Manhattan and 35-31 in ‘02 in Boulder. The loser had scored 20 or more points in six straight games, a series first, until the 2008 game when the winner failed to score 20 for only the 14th time in the series. Over the course of the last 13 games, they’ve either been defensive struggles (five produced a winner that scored 20 points or less (16 or fewer four times), while the other eight games in this span have seen the teams average over 61 points combined. Over the last 24 games, CU has outscored Kansas State 704-430 (including four shutouts), and the Buffs own a 9,948-to-7,084 edge in total offense (KSU has out-gained the Buffs just four times in the last 23 games—in 1998, 2002, 2006 and 2008
A CLOSER LOOK
The Buffs and Wildcats last played one another as conference opponents in 2010. A look back on the year 2010… The No. 1 song in the nation that year was Tik Tok by Kesha; Disney/Pixar was on top at the box office, with Toy Story 3 being the most popular film. Unemployment averaged 9.5%, inflation was 1.64%, and the retail price for a gallon of gas averaged $2.96. The New Orleans Saints were the Super Bowl champs, the San Francisco Giants won the World Series, and the Chicago Blackhawks clinched the Stanley Cup. The world’s tallest building (Burj Khalifa) opened in Dubai.
CU VS. THE BIG-12 // KSU VS. THE BIG-12
Colorado is 240-149-10 all-time vs. current Big-12 conference schools (397 games). In addition to the 45-20-1 mark against Kansas State, CU is 4-10 vs. Arizona State, 16-10 vs. Arizona, 10-7 vs. Baylor, 8-3-1 vs. BYU, 1-0 vs. Cincinnati, 49-15-1 vs. Iowa State, 42-25-3 vs. Kansas, 26-20-1 vs. Oklahoma State, 5-5 vs. Texas Tech, 1-0 vs. UCF, 32-33-3 vs. Utah, and 1-1 vs. West Virginia Kansas State is 179-242-11 all-time vs. current Big-12 conference schools (432 games). In addition to the 20-45-1 mark against CU, KSU is 1-5 vs. Arizona State, 2-5-1 vs. Arizona, 4-5 vs. BYU, 2-4 vs. Cincinnati, 50-53-4 vs. Iowa State, 52-64-5 vs. Kansas, 25-43 vs. Oklahoma State, 14-9 vs. Texas Tech, 2-3 vs. Utah, and 7-6 vs. West Virginia.
Bye Week: Baylor, Houston, Kansas, Oklahoma State, TCU, Texas Tech
CONFERENCE NEWS & NOTES
• Big 12 running backs have rushed for 175 yards or more in a game five times, the most of any P4 conference.
• Nine of 19 conference games (.474) in the Big 12 this season have been decided by one score.
• Three of the seven Power 4 receivers averaging over 100 yards per game are from the Big 12: Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan (132.8), TCU’s Jack Bech (117.0) and Colorado’s Travis Hunter (112.2).
• Big 12 programs are 18-6 this season when ranked in the Top 25.
• After six weeks, 11 Big 12 teams rank in the top 50 of average attendance.
• Iowa State, BYU, Utah and K-State are all ranked in the top 18 of this week’s AP Poll, marking the first time four Big 12 teams have been in top 18 of the poll during the regular season since 2018.
• Four of the top 10 FBS leaders in rushing yards per game are Big 12 running backs; TTU’s Tahj Brooks (third), ASU’s Cam Skattebo (sixth), K-State’s DJ Giddens (seventh) and UCF’s RJ Harvey (ninth).
• ASU’s Cam Skattebo’s 182 rushing yards were the second most in Division I during Week 6.
• West Virginia’s 389 rushing yards led the nation in Week 6 and are the most by a Power 4 team in a Conference game this season. Jahiem White ranked third among Power 4 rushers this week with 158 yards for the Mountaineers.
• Three Big 12 quarterbacks rank in the top 10 in passing yards per game: TCU’s Josh Hoover (No. 3), Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders (No. 7) and Cincinnati’s Brendan Sorsby (No. 10). Hoover and Sanders also rank in the top 10 for passing touchdowns, joined by Texas Tech’s Behren Morton.
• Texas Tech’s Tahj Brooks leads all Big 12 running backs with 21 rushes of 10 or more yards with UCF’s RJ Harvey and ASU’s Cam Skattebo just behind him with 20 explosive plays on the ground. Brooks ranks third in FBS in this statistic with Harvey and Skattebo tied for sixth.
• The Big 12 Conference continues to lead all FBS conferences in 100-yard receiving performances with 41 through the first six weeks of the season.
• The 2024 season will be the Big 12 Conference’s first as a 16-team league. The Big 12 footprint now spans 10 states, four time zones and 90 million people as it begins its 29th football season.
• Iowa State’s defense leads the Conference in fewest explosive plays (20+ yards) allowed with nine through its first five games of the season, which ranks tied for ninth nationally.
