Chris Carney wasn't surprised by Nebraska's abilities on Saturday.
In fact, Kansas State's leading tackler blamed the Wildcats for their 73-31 loss, saying they "just didn't come out ready."
With the defeat, Kansas State fell to 3-4 in Big 12 Conference play. Its last two losses have come to the worst two teams in the North Division - Iowa State and the Cornhuskers.
"Well, that was about as thorough a defeat as we've had in our program, and personally," KSU Coach Ron Prince said. "As a professional, you expect better of yourself and those around you. Clearly, the game got away from us."
Unable to stop Nebraska quarterback Joe Ganz, the Wildcats gave up 510 passing yards and seven touchdowns to the newly-named Nebraska starter.
Prince said Ganz looked as good as current San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers. No matter what coverage the Wildcats chose, Ganz somehow found a way out of it, and Prince said he had been concerned about Ganz's abilities all week.
"I think it's pretty clear that the quarterback is the key to this thing," Prince said. "This player, he threw for 400 yards and four TDs against what I think is a very good defense (Kansas) - one of the best defenses we've played this year - and he was able to do even better against us."
The most devastating fault in Kansas State's sixth-ranked scoring defense within the league was its inability to rush Ganz in the pocket.
Carney tallied 13 tackles in the contest, but said it was the combination of Nebraska's offensive line and Ganz's ability to scramble that kept him and his teammates from knocking down the junior Husker.
"He wasn't surprising. Seeing what he did last week, he had a pretty good game last week and another this week," Carney said. "He sits there in the pocket and throws the ball, and when he gets pressured he knows how to step up."
Nebraska converted five of 11 third down opportunities and was 3-of-3 fourth down conversions.
Late in the third quarter, Nebraska held the ball on the Kansas State 46-yard line on fourth and 20. Ganz scrambled out of the pocket and rushed 23 yards down the left sideline for the first down.
The Huskers went on to score on the possession, bringing the score to 52-17.
Like Carney, Prince said he wasn't surprised at all by the Huskers' abilities or decision-making. He also added that he was not upset that NU Coach Bill Callahan continued to find the end zone with Nebraska holding a comfortable lead.
"The thing I tried to explain to our players and any of the media I talked to is that these guys didn't forget how to coach," Prince said, referring to the Nebraska coaching staff. "They've got good players. The players have been in position to make a play, they just haven't been able to make a tackle here or there, that's the only thing I saw on tape.
"There is nothing unsound about what was going on in any phase."
KATELYNKERKHOVE@DAILYNEBRASKAN.COM
