The Wolverine Now

Scouting kansas STATE Special Teams Special Teams Overview — KSU placekickers Jack Cantele and Ian Patterson have combined to make 13 of 16 attempts this season and are 9 of 9 from inside 40 yards. Punter Mark Krause averages 41.3 yards per kick, but hasn't been delivering on distance (only seven of 47 punts have traveled 50 yards or more) or hang time. Kick returners Tyler Lockett and Tramaine Thompson are both dangerous playmakers, averaging 25.5 yards per kickoff return and 20.2 yards per punt return, respectively. 2013 kansas STATE Schedule Player To Watch — Senior punt returner Tramaine Thompson: The 5-8, 167-pound Thompson has been one of the Wildcats' most lethal players this season, averaging 20.2 yards per punt return, with a long of 79 yards. Additionally, he returned a kickoff 94 yards for a score. The Jenks, Okla., native is also a deep threat in the passing game, averaging 17.7 yards on 28 receptions. Key Matchup — Michigan fifth-year senior placekicker Brendan Gibbons is 'iffy' for the bowl game, putting the onus on junior Matt Wile to handle all field goal opportunities. Wile is 3 of 6 in his career, though most of his attempts have occurred from 45 yards or longer. He did look shaky in one chance against Ohio State, sailing wide a 31-yard attempt that was ultimately nullified by a timeout a split-second before the snap. Two years ago, the Maize and Blue won the Sugar Bowl on the strength of Gibbons' leg, but the kicking-game matchup would clearly favor KSU if Gibbons cannot go. — Michael Spath Inside The Numbers (2013 Statistics) Offense Points Per Game First Downs Rushing Yards Rushing Yards/Game Rushing Attempts Average Yards Per Rush Passing Yards Passing Yards/Game Passing Attempts Average Yards/Catch Total Yards Average Yards Per Game Average Kickoff Return Average Punt Return Third-Down Conversions Third-Down Conv. Percent Fourth-Down Conversions Fourth-Down Conv. Percent U-MKSU 33.8 33.4 251 238 1569 2165 130.8 180.4 483 478 3.2 4.5 3025 2650 252.1 220.8 357 286 14.2 15.1 4594 4815 382.8 401.2 22.6 22.6 6.7 15.3 67-170 72-151 39% 48% 7-13 4-7 54% 57% DateOpponent Time/Result Aug. 30 North Dakota State L, 24-21 Sept. 7 Louisiana-Lafayette W, 48-27 Sept. 14 Massachusetts W, 37-7 Sept. 21 at Texas L, 31-21 Oct. 5 at Oklahoma State L, 33-29 Oct. 12 Baylor L, 35-25 Oct. 26 West Virginia W, 35-12 Nov. 2 Iowa State W, 41-7 Nov. 9 at Texas Tech W, 49-26 Nov. 16 TCU W, 33-31 Nov. 23 Oklahoma L, 41-31 Nov. 30 at Kansas W, 31-10 Dec. 28 vs. Michigan* 10:15 p.m. * Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl at Tempe, Ariz. Keys for michigan Defense U-MKSU Points Allowed Per Game 26.5 23.7 First Downs Allowed 234 234 Rushing Yards Allowed 1673 1743 Rushing Yards Allowed/Game 139.4 145.2 Opponent Rushing Attempts 442 446 Average Yards/Rushing Attempt 3.8 3.9 Passing Yards Allowed 2736 2661 Passing Yards Allowed/Game 228.0 221.8 Opponent Passing Attempts 406 420 Average Yards/Catch Allowed 12.3 10.5 Total Yards Allowed 4409 4404 Average Yards/Game Allowed 367.4 367.0 Average Kickoff Return Allowed 22.4 20.4 Average Punt Return Allowed 7.1 12.8 Third-Down Conversions 69-180 77-187 Third-Down Conv. Percent 38% 41% Fourth-Down Conversions 6-15 11-23 Fourth-Down Conv. Percent 40% 48% Score By Quarters 1st 2nd 3rd 4th OT Total Avg. U-M 96 861019824 405 33.8 KSU 8212194104 — 401 33.4 Class Breakdowns (2013 Two-Deep)... Sr. Jr.So.Fr. U-M Offense........................................................827 11 U-M Defense........................................................6879 U-M Specialists...................................................3112 U-M Totals.............................................. 17111522 KSU Offense........................................................10 753 KSU Defense........................................................7862 KSU Specialists...................................................5121 KSU Totals.............................................. 221613 6 Turnover Margin Gained Lost +/U-M 25 20+5 KSU 24 24— Want More Michigan Stats And News? Visit Us Online On The Rivals.com Network at TheWolverine.com THE WOLVERINE • Page 3 No second or easy chances: Michigan ranked 51st nationally in thirddown conversion defense, allowing opponents to convert 38.3 percent of the time during the regular season. Kansas State flourished converting third downs in its seven wins, moving the chains at a clip of 51.2 percent, but in five losses the Wildcats were good on only 41.9 percent of their chances. U-M needs to get KSU off the field at its first opportunity, and needs to keep big plays to a minimum, especially against an offense that ranked 59th nationally with just 57 plays of 20 yards or more. The Wildcats are not a quick-strike offense, but extend drives with third-down success. Protect Gardner at all costs: Kansas State is not an aggressive, get-afteryou defense, but neither were Northwestern and Iowa before they faced Michigan, and the two racked up 10 and 11 tackles for loss, respectively. U-M did a better job neutralizing Ohio State's front seven, relying on screens and rolling the pocket, and will need to use both approaches again in the bowl game to keep quarterback Devin Gardner upright, especially with the redshirt junior ailing from turf toe. A game of mistakes: Michigan and Kansas State have both struggled with turnovers this season. U-M has coughed it up 20 times, while K-State has 24 giveaways. The Wolverines appeared to remedy their struggles late in the year, losing the ball only three times in the last five games, and if they can be that secure with the football against the Wildcats, and can force a few KSU miscues, that should tilt the game in Michigan's favor. Prediction: Gardner's health status makes picking this game a week out almost impossible. If he's under center and shows no ill effects from his turftoe injury, Michigan should be able to carry its offensive momentum from the OSU game into this one to best the Wildcats. An injured Gardner might spell doom for the Maize and Blue, however, and they could lose by double digits if freshman Shane Morris is forced into action. Score (with Gardner): Michigan 28, Kansas State 24. Score (without or with a limited Gardner): Kansas State 28, Michigan 17. — Michael Spath

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