K-State dominates Nicholls 71-3 in Colin Klein’s head coaching debut
- Tristan Wenta
- 13 hours ago
- 2 min read
K-State opened the 2026 season in dominant fashion, defeating Nicholls 71-3 in front of a packed crowd at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. The win marked the first game as K-State’s head coach for Wildcats alumnus Colin Klein, who began his tenure with an impressive offensive and defensive performance.
The Wildcats wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, finding the end zone on their first two offensive drives. Quarterback Avery Johnson connected with Jaron Tibbs on a 7-yard touchdown pass to open the scoring. On the next drive, Johnson used his legs, breaking outside for a 10-yard rushing touchdown.
K-State’s defense answered as well, forcing Nicholls to go three-and-out on its first two possessions. The Wildcats then added some trickery on a two-point conversion, with Linkon Cure taking the ball up the middle to extend K-State’s lead.
The special teams unit got involved soon after, as Brandon White took a Nicholls punt 65 yards to the house, giving the Wildcats another explosive touchdown and sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
Nicholls managed to induce K-State’s first turnover of the game with a fumble recovery, but the Wildcats quickly bounced back. Rodney Fields broke loose for a 26-yard touchdown run, continuing K-State’s offensive onslaught.
Nicholls finally put together a scoring drive late in the half, but the Wildcats' defense held strong in the red zone, forcing the Colonels to settle for a 32-yard field goal by Kingston Phan.
K-State answered with another big play before halftime, as Johnson found Joe Jackson down the seam for a 43-yard touchdown pass to push the Wildcats' lead to 36-3 at halftime.
The first half also featured a major milestone for Johnson. The senior quarterback broke the K-State record for career passing touchdowns, bringing his total to 52 to begin his senior season.
K-State continued its dominance coming out of halftime, forcing another Nicholls three-and-out.
The Wildcats then went back to the air, with Johnson connecting with Josh Manning on an 11-yard touchdown pass. It was Manning’s first touchdown in a K-State uniform.
As K-State began rotating in its backups, the offense continued to produce. Joe Jackson added another touchdown, this time on an 11-yard rushing score, putting the Wildcats ahead 50-3 with 5:52 remaining in the third quarter.
K-State continued pouring it on as No. 9 Jay Harris broke to the left side and scored on an 11-yard touchdown run.
At the end of the third quarter, the atmosphere inside Bill Snyder Family Stadium reached another level as K-State put on a light show while “Sandstorm” played throughout the stadium, giving the crowd a memorable celebration during Klein’s first game as head coach
As the fourth quarter wound down and the Wildcats began turning to their backups, Monterrio Elston Jr. provided one final spark, breaking free for a 46-yard touchdown run. No. 7 Jacob Knuth followed with another rushing score, punching it in from two yards out as K-State closed out the game in dominant fashion.
K-State’s next game is against Washington State at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12, in Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
Sophomore safety Logan Bartley (10) makes a tackle during K-State’s season opener. (Ashton Todd)
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