Kansas State report card: Grading the Wildcats' overtime loss at Colorado

BOULDER, CO — Kansas State fought hard in a thrilling overtime game against Colorado, falling to the Colorado Buffaloes 27-24 on Saturday, October 31, at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado. Here's how we'd grade the Wildcats' latest loss.

OFFENSE GRADE: C+ While Blake Barnett's late-regulation heroics kept Kansas State in contention, their offense wasn't perfect. It's worth noting that grading was a bit tricky due to the quarterback situation, but the Wildcats' offense did more than was expected given the circumstances.

DEFENSE GRADE: D The defense continued their pattern of allowing big plays, particularly on third downs. While they did well in applying pressure on the quarterback, it's evident that other aspects of the defense will require thorough evaluation after the season.

SPECIAL TEAMS GRADE: F Kansas State's special teams unit is in dire need of a change. Brandon White's return experience was questionable, with Luis Rodriguez missing field goals, one due to a poor snap-hold.

COACHING GRADE: C+ Collin Klein deserves credit for giving Dillon Duff a quick hook in the first quarter, showing adaptability despite the quarterback issues. However, concerns surrounding Jordan Peterson's defense are becoming increasingly pronounced.

GAME MVP: Blake Barnett, QB For the second consecutive game, Barnett stepped up as the game's MVP, managing the team effectively, making crucial plays, and putting Kansas State in a position to win.

OVERALL TEAM GRADE: D While the second half of the game was exciting, the overall performance fell short of expectations. Colorado wasn't a team to be trifled with, and Kansas State's performance suggests that significant improvements are necessary.