The Wildcats head to New Orleans looking to avenge their 2022 loss to the Green Wave.
While they didn’t exactly come screaming off the line, your Kansas State Wildcats picked up steam after halftime and cruised to a 41-6 victory to open the 2024 football season. Now it’s time for the Wildcats to turn their attention to back to FBS football and the first road trip of the season.
K-State is in The Big Easy today, ready to take on a team that took one from the Wildcats at home in 2022 — Tulane. That 2022 season ended well for both programs — the Wildcats with a Big 12 Championship and a trip to the Sugar Bowl, and the Green Wave with a win over USC in the Cotton Bowl — but in mid-September the Wildcats were absolutely shocked in a 17-10 loss to the visitors. It was an ugly game, and the Cats could never seem to get out of their own way on offense.
But these Wildcats are a wholly different bunch. New offensive coordinator, different (arguably improved) weapons on offense, and hopefully a healthy respect for a Tulane that won’t back down from the challenge.
The Green Wave are also significantly different. After two 11+ win seasons, Willie Fritz left New Orleans for Houston and the university that bears the city’s name. But in his place steps Jon Sumrall, who quickly brought Troy back to respectability with back-to-back 11+ win seasons and Sun Belt conference titles in his only two seasons leading the Trojans.
Tulane opened their 2024 season with a dominant 52-0 victory over FCS Southeastern Louisiana at home last Thursday. But fear not, Wildcat fans. You may remember that Sumrall brought his Trojans to Manhattan last year, and went back to Alabama after a 42-13 thumping at the hands of the Wildcats.
So the Wildcats know how to beat Sumrall, they know they can’t overlook Tulane. It’s been a long two-year wait. Let’s hope the Wildcats are ready to get their vengeance.
We’ve got an 11:00am CT kickoff for today’s game from Yulman Stadium in New Orleans, and you can catch the action on ESPN (or online via WatchESPN) with Bob Wischusen (Play-by-Play), Louis Riddick (Analyst), and Kris Budden (Sidelines) on the call.
If you don’t have ESPN or can’t access the stream, the game can be heard across the 28-station K-State Sports Network with Wyatt Thompson (play-by-play), former K-State quarterback Stan Weber (analyst), and Matt Walters (sidelines) calling the action. The game will also be on SiriusXM Satellite Radio Ch. 159 or 199, and available online at K-Statesports.com. Live stats are also available at k-statesports.com, and social media updates (@KStateFB) will also be a part of the coverage.
Go Cats!