Taking the field as a road underdog on Saturday afternoon wasn't new for No. 16 K-State. Leaving after a 37-10 loss to West Virginia in their first Big 12 defeat of the season was a different experience for the Wildcats.
K-State (4-2, 4-1) came up with two sacks and jumped out to an early lead in Morgantown, before West Virginia (4-2, 3-2) used a strong second quarter to put away the Wildcats.
The Mountaineers racked up 301 yards through the air on a short-handed K-State secondary.
Malik Knowles came up with a 35-yard touchdown grab to give the Wildcats a boost heading into the break. Getting the wide receivers more involved has been a point of emphasis for K-State and Knowles' first touchdown catch of the year was a highlight for the group on Saturday.
Phillip Brooks hauled in four receptions for 39 yards to lead all K-State receivers in Morgantown.
Early in the second half, the K-State defense did their part to get back into the game, holding West Virginia to a field goal attempt at the goal line. The Mountaineers would settle for four field goal attempts on the afternoon.
An interception returned for a touchdown on the Wildcats' next drive of the game would prove to be the tipping point. West Virginia brought the nation's top defense - among teams that have played at least two games - into Saturday's game and held K-State to just 225 yards of total offense.
Deuce Vaughn rushed nine times for 22 yards in the loss, as Kansas State struggled to get going on the ground against a tough Mountaineers rush defense.
Saturday also marked the first game of the season where the Wildcats failed to come up with an interception, while three picks helped the West Virginia defense control the flow of the game.
K-State returns to Manhattan for their next Big 12 matchup, a clash with No. 6 Oklahoma State on November 7 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. The game will air on ABC at 11 a.m. or FOX at 3 p.m.