Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Plays Host to a Struggling Kansas State Squad
October 09, 2001 | Football
Oct 9, 2001
Kansas State and its special teams hope to revert to previous form as they try to snap a two-game losing streak in a Big 12 matchup with Texas Tech on Saturday.
The 24th-ranked Wildcats (2-2, 0-2) had a 58-game home winning streak against unranked teams snapped with a 16-6 loss to No. 20 Colorado on Saturday.
After outscoring its opponents 74-6 en route to winning its first two games, Kansas State has allowed 54 points over its losing streak.
Kansas State's special teams, which has been a strength in past years, has struggled this season. Kyle Altvater missed two field goal attempts, Jared Brite missed an extra point and punter Travis Brown botched a snap from center wand was tackled for a loss against the Buffaloes.
"It's been a major concern all year," Wildcats coach Bill Snyder said. "There has been a ballgame or two where we have kind of slipped by in some aspects of the kicking game, but I believe we addressed that time and time again, maybe too much."
While place kickers Martin Gramatica and Jamie Rheem have been outstanding for Kansas State in the past, there has not been stability at the position this season.
After Kansas State's 10-6 win over USC in the school's opener, Jared Brite was announced as the starting punter and place kicker. He was soon benched and as many as five kickers have split time at two kicking positions.
It was strong special teams that eventually downed Texas Tech (2-2, 0-2) on Saturday.
Johnny Beck kicked his fourth field goal in the second overtime as Kansas rallied for a 34-31 win over Texas Tech.
Middle linebacker Lawrence Flugence, the Red Raiders' leading tackler, sprained his knee in the first quarter and did not return. His status for Saturday is unknown.
Each team has three wins in the all-time series.
