Texas Tech football: Why K-State has owned the Red Raiders lately

3 of 5

MANHATTAN, KS – OCTOBER 08: Wide receiver Byron Pringle #9 of the Kansas State Wildcats retunes a kick-off 99 yards for a touchdown against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the first half on October 8, 2016 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan, Kansas. (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images) /

KSU has made tons of game-changing special teams plays against Texas Tech

This season, Texas Tech has been rather strong in the kicking game. McGuire’s team has already scored off of a punt block and a kickoff return while blocking another punt.

However, when the Red Raiders and Wildcats have met over the past decade-plus, it has been the guys in purple who have turned games with their special teams.

Back in 2016, Byron Pringle returned a second-quarter kickoff 99 yards for a TD to put K-State up 31-28. That would prove to be the turning point in a 44-38 KSU win as Tech would not hold the lead again that day.

A year later, Pringle would set up a KSU TD drive with a 41-yard kickoff return and a FG drive with a 34-yard kickoff return leading directly to 10 points for his team. However, it was the failures of the Tech kicking game that cost the Red Raiders a win.

With 3:40 to go in regulation, Tech asked Clayton Hatfield to attempt a 31-yard field goal that would have put his team up 11 points. Unfortunately, he would miss that kick and the Wildcats would drive the field to send the game to overtime where they would prevail 42-35 in Lubbock.

In 2018’s 21-6 KSU win, the Wildcats blocked a punt that bounced out of the endzone for a safety, a play that would change the momentum in their favor. The 2019 meeting was close throughout and one of the defining plays was a 100-yard kickoff return TD by KSU’s Josh Youngblood to put his team ahead 20-10. That would prove to be a huge turning point in a game KSU would win 30-27.

Unfortunately, Tech missed two FGs in the 2020 game that could have made a huge difference in a 31-21 loss. Then, in 2021, Tech missed a FG early in the 4th quarter with the game tied at 20. KSU would end the game on a 17-8 run including 17 straight points after that miss.

Special teams have long been a strength for K-State. That is how a team with only mid-level individual talent is able to win games consistently. This year, Tech’s special teams have impressed so hopefully that’s an area where the Red Raiders can finally have an edge over the Wildcats.

Home/Texas Tech Football