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Arizona’s Brent Brennan Has Strong Words About Kansas State’s Avery Johnson

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Arizona’s Brent Brennan Has Strong Words About Kansas State’s Avery Johnson


Arizona’s Week 3 loss against Kansas State was about as ugly as it could get, losing 31-7.

Arizona was outplayed on both sides of the football, a major concern as they head into Big 12 play at the end of the month against a top-12 Utah squad.

In the past two games, the offense has struggled like never before. Scoring 29 combined points is an issue, and one that needs to be fixed fast.

When also factoring in the defense has given up 70 combined points in two of the first three games, there’s reason to worry about this program.

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Leading up to the contest against Kansas State, while Arizona hadn’t necessarily play well, they were in a fine position.

Regarding the committee making decisions for at-large bids in the College Football Playoff, winning games is all that matters in college football, and they had done that up until this game.

If Arizona loses another one and doesn’t win the Big 12 Championship Game, their chances of making the CFP seem low.

But what happened on Friday night? Why did Arizona get dismantled on both sides of the football?

It was a mixture of below-average offensive and defensive play, flags, and overall, not being the same caliber team as Kansas State.

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Quarterback Avery Johnson severely outplayed Noah Fifita, which isn’t something that can often be said. Despite the struggles, Fifita is still one of the better quarterbacks in the country.

One rough showing doesn’t change that.

Johnson killed Arizona on the ground with 110 rushing yards on 17 carries. Arizona’s defense also allowed 86 yards on 17 carries from DJ Giddens.

In the air, Kansas State’s quarterback didn’t dominate the game. He threw for two touchdowns but was just 14-of-23 for 156 yards.

Head coach Brent Brennan addressed the worrisome play, highlighting what made Johnson so difficult to defend.

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“Well, I don’t think we’re the first team to have an issue with an athletic quarterback, but this guy is something different,” said Brennan, according to Doug Haller of The Athletic. “He’s unique, and in those moments where we’re trying to keep him in the pocket, his ability to get outside of one person and create a big play was obviously damaging to what we were trying to get done.”

While Johnson is one of the better quarterbacks in the Big 12, and perhaps the best one Arizona will play in 2024, Kansas State gave opposing teams the recipe for success against the Wildcats.

There are a few holes on the defensive end that need to be fixed, otherwise, Arizona might have a year that wasn’t expected when entering the campaign.



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Arizona-Kansas State free livestream: How to watch Big 12 basketball game, TV, time

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Arizona-Kansas State free livestream: How to watch Big 12 basketball game, TV, time


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The No. 1 Arizona Wildcats play against the Kansas State Wildcats in a Big 12 basketball game tonight. The matchup is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. CT on FS1. Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trial offered by DirecTV. Alternatively, fans can purchase a monthly subscription offered by Fubo TV/Sling.

The Arizona squad has played at a high level this season, as it enters this matchup with a 14-0 record. The team is coming off a 97-78 win against the Utah Utes.

In order to win tonight’s game, Arizona will need to rely on its forward Koa Peat. He leads the team in scoring this season, as he averages more than 14 points per game.

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The Kansas State squad enters this matchup with a 9-5 record, but the team is coming off an 83-73 loss against BYU.

In order to bounce back tonight, Kansas State will need a great performance from its guard P.J. Haggerty. He averages 23 points per game, which leads the team.

Fans can watch this Big 12 basketball game for free online by using the free trial offered by DirecTV. Alternatively, fans can purchase a monthly subscription offered by Fubo TV/Sling.



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TCU gives Kansas a scare, but Jayhawks erase 16-point deficit to survive in overtime

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TCU gives Kansas a scare, but Jayhawks erase 16-point deficit to survive in overtime


LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Darryn Peterson scored 32 points, including three crucial free throws in regulation to tie the game, and No. 22 Kansas erased a double-digit deficit to outlast TCU 104-100 in overtime on Tuesday night.

Kansas (11-4, 1-1 Big 12) trailed by 16 points midway through the second half, but cut the TCU lead to three with 34 seconds left in regulation.

The Jayhawks’ next trip down the court was fruitless, leading to a foul and two free throws by TCU’s Liutauras Lelevicius. Kansas’ Flory Bidunga cut the lead back to three on a tip in with just over six seconds remaining.

After a turnover on the ensuing TCU inbounds play, the Jayhawks got the ball to Peterson, who drew a foul beyond the arc and knocked down all three free throws to tie the game at the end of regulation.

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Kansas held the lead throughout overtime and ultimately secured the game at the free-throw line, converting 9 of 11. TCU (11-4, 1-1) went 2 for 4 in the same frame. Kansas guard Melvin Council Jr. scored nine of his 18 points during overtime.

Lelevicius led the Horned Frogs with a career-high 23 points. He shot 7 for 9 and hit five 3-pointers, another career high. He entered the game averaging just 8.5 points per game and shooting 35.8% from 3-point range.

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Lelevicius outscored sophomore David Punch, who recorded his 10th consecutive double-digit performance with 20 points. He also pulled down a team-high nine rebounds.

Tre White and Bidunga also finished in double figures for the Jayhawks, recording 22 and 16, respectively.

Up next

Kansas: Plays at West Virginia on Saturday.

TCU: Hosts Arizona on Saturday.

Find more TCU coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.

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Kansas State beats Iowa State for transfer portal FCS breakout DT

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Kansas State beats Iowa State for transfer portal FCS breakout DT


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MANHATTAN — Right when you thought Kansas State football might be done for the day, the Wildcats landed a seventh commitment from the transfer portal on Monday, Jan. 5.

Gardner-Webb defensive tackle De’Arieun Hicks committed to K-State, according to On3’s Pete Nakos. The 6-foot-4, 285-pounder has three years of eligibility and totaled 21 tackles, with 4.5 being for a loss in 2025.

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Hicks reportedly had a visit to Iowa State on Monday, after spending Jan. 3 with the Wildcats, and he chose to play football in Manhattan.

Hicks was a standout for the FCS program out of the Big South, playing 373 snaps and making four starts on the Runnin’ Bulldogs’ defensive line. He was the Big South’s sixth-highest graded defensive lineman, according to Pro Football Focus, with the league’s 12th-best pass rush grade.

Hicks totaled 10 pressures, with seven quarterback hurries and a pair of sacks across 12 games.

Out of high school in Richmond, Indiana, Hicks wasn’t given a grade by 247Sports.

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Kansas State was in desperate need of defensive linemen from the transfer portal following the departures of Malcolm Alcorn-Crowder and Andy Burburija, the latter of whom reopened his recruitment after initially signing with the Wildcats. The Wildcats also signed Adrian Bekibele, Kingston Hall and Carnell Jackson Jr. during December’s signing period.

Hicks’ size is certainly appealing, giving the Wildcats a solid prospect to develop. Given the Wildcats’ need at the position, Hicks could have an opportunity to get on the field quickly.

Hicks joins Oklahoma State running back Rodney Fields Jr., Texas A&M receiver Izaiah Williams, Illinois corner Kaleb Patterson, Oklahoma State linebacker Jacobi Oliphant, Miami (Ohio) safety Koy Beasley and Missouri offensive lineman Keiton Jones as those who committed to the Wildcats on Monday.

Wyatt D. Wheeler covers Kansas State athletics for the USA TODAY Network and Topeka Capital-Journal. You can follow him on X at @WyattWheeler_, contact him at 417-371-6987 or email him at wwheeler@usatodayco.com

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