Kansas
Grading Arizona football’s performance in loss at Kansas State
Arizona suffered its first loss in the Brent Brennan era, falling 31-7 at Kansas State on Friday night. There were glimpses of strong play in every phase, but overall it was not enough to take on a very physical Kansas State team.
Check out how we graded each part of the Wildcats:
Offense: D-
The offense got out to a real strong start, marching 73 yards with Quali Conley finishing it off with a 1-yard touchdown run. It was his fourth on the season, and the drive also featured two third down conversions and a fourth down conversion.
From there the offense would struggle. They would go three and out on their next drive and after marching down the field again, Noah Fifita would throw a costly interception as the Wildcats were just outside of the red-zone.
Arizona would not find the end zone again as their drives went as follows: Punt, punt, punt, turnover on downs, turnover on downs, turnover on downs.
Fifita would finish 26 of 42 for 268 yards going along with the interception. Tetairoa McMillan finished as the leading receiver with 11 catches for 138 yards. Conley finished with 14 carries and 48 yards on the ground.
The offense also had six penalties for 45 yards.
Defense: C-
With a little bit of help from some Kansas State mistakes, the defense did keep Arizona within reach for most of the game. Some issues that still plague the defense are containment and tackling.
QB Avery Johnson ran for 110 yards on 17 carries, which made him the leading rusher for Kansas State. Missing tackles led to a lot of long plays for Kansas State, especially in the third quarter. Technique and being able to wrap up is something that is going to need to be fixed during the bye week.
Marquis Groves-Killebrew led the team in tackles with eight. Ta’ita’i Uiagalelei, Taye Brown, and Owen Goss all recorded sacks tonight.
Overall, the defense allowed 391 total yards and 21 first downs.
Special teams: D+
With Arizona not having Michael Salgado-Medina and Jordan Forbes able to go tonight, kicker Tyler Loop took on the punting duties. He punted four times with a long of 53 yards.
The big mistake given up on special teams was a 71-yard punt return from Dylan Edwards. It was a low kick from Loop, which allowed Edwards to turn the corner and use his speed to run away from the punt coverage.
Coaching: D
Brennan was introduced to Big 12 play tonight, and there is a lot to learn from this game moving forward.
Overall, it seemed like the team was motivated for the matchup and showed a lot of grit in the first half. When the game could’ve gotten away from them early, they stuck it to Kansas State to show that the Wildcats from Tucson were there to compete.
As the game progressed, the team seemed to lose confidence. A lot of frustration showed on the faces on both sides of the ball. However, no one was pointing fingers and they stuck with each other which is credit to the way Brennan has instilled that mindset into his team.
For the defense, there should have been some adjustment made to the quarterback runs and being able to keep containment. Defensive coordinator Duane Akina is going to have to address the issue of wrapping up and finishing tackles.
Many of Kansas State’s plays finished with their players earning extra yards, and falling forward. Kansas State only had three possessions where they did not score, with one being a missed field goal.
Offensive coordinator Dino Babers had the first drive of the game called to near perfection and it looked like Arizona had found its offense after the NAU game. However, as the game went on, the offense would sputter and it would struggle to stay ahead of the chains.
The only thing that seemed to be consistent was the Fifita to McMillan connection. Outside of that, the offense struggled to make plays and find a way to move the ball. It was also a full game of having a healthy offensive line, and it struggled to keep the quarterback protected.
The bye week comes at a good point for the Wildcats. Arizona needs the week to get healthy, figure out the offensive struggles, and find a way to sure up the tackling.
Kansas State football’s transfer portal needs, what to know
K-State reporter Wyatt Wheeler breaks down the Wildcats’ needs and key information ahead of the transfer portal window opening.
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.
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.
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
An intruder was fatally shot by an armed city employee inside Lawrence City Hall in Kansas on Monday morning, officials said.
The 28-year-old man “forced his way into the building then broke through a door” on the fourth floor and into a secured area about 8 a.m., according to a police statement.
This led to an altercation with an armed city employee, Police Chief Rich Lockhart told reporters outside City Hall, about two miles north of the University of Kansas campus.
“During that altercation, the 28-year-old subject was shot and killed by the city employee,” the chief added.
The intruder wasn’t immediately identified, and it wasn’t clear if he was armed.
Authorities didn’t immediately name the city employee or his job. But police did characterize the civil servant as “trained and authorized to carry a firearm.”
The fourth floor is home to the city manager, city attorney and budget manager.
Officials said they did not know why the man went to the fourth floor, and “it’s not someone that’s known to us,” Lockhart said.
City Hall was closed and should reopen Tuesday. A municipal court in the building won’t open again until Thursday.
City Manager Craig Owens said he was grateful no city employees were hurt.
“I want to express my gratitude to the Lawrence, Kansas, Police Department work during the disturbing incident,” he said.
Indiana’s portal haul continued to grow Sunday as multiple outlets reported the addition of Kansas State edge rusher Tobi Osunsanmi.
Osunsanmi has played in 36 games over the last four years and has 8.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss. Most of that production came over the last two seasons. He has a total of 47 QB pressures during his college career.
In 2025 he played in six games and had 20 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks. He suffered a season-ending injury in October.
He saw action in all 13 games in 2024 as a reserve defensive end and on special teams, recording 19 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble over 303 defensive snaps and 31 special teams plays.
In 2023 he saw time in all 13 games as a reserve linebacker, a rush end on passing downs and on special teams. He was tied for team-high honors with five tackles on kickoff coverage.
He played in four games in 2022 and preserved his redshirt.
The 6-foot-3 and 250-pound Osunsanmi has one year of eligibility remaining.
The Wichita, Kan. product (Wichita East H.S.) was regarded as the 232nd-best overall player in the nation for the Class of 2022 by 247Sports.
Osunsanmi will help fill the void left by outgoing edge rushers Mikail Kamara, Kellan Wyatt and Stephen Daley.
More transfer portal information:
For complete coverage of IU football recruiting, GO HERE.
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