K-State dominated former Big 12 foe Missouri by a final score of 40-6. The Wildcats dismantled the Tigers at all three levels of the game.

It was a wet Saturday morning in Manhattan and a lightning delay pushed the kickoff to 11:15.

Many were questioning if this game is even considered a rivalry anymore.

Before the game, I went to pick up my media credentials and as I was walking out, I saw a Missouri fan. Whenever I am in Manhattan for a K-State football or basketball game and I see a visiting fan, I always greet them with a big ol’ smile and say, “Welcome to K-State!”

I would like to think that my demeanor comes off as friendly, so I’ve been told, and I have never rubbed an opposing fan the wrong way by doing this. The gentleman, who was in his early 30s likely, didn’t even look me in the eye and said under his breath, “Screw you.” Except, he didn’t say “screw”.

I can assure you there is no love lost between these schools.

 As for the game itself, Missouri started the scoring with a solid drive in which they were able to average almost seven yards per carry. Missouri quarterback Brady Cook made some shifty moves to evade the Wildcat defenders.

However, the Cats were able to hold the line on a 3rd and 2, so Tigers’ Harrison Mevis had to come on for the 49-yard try.

K-State responded with an impressive drive of their own resulting in a Deuce Vaughn touchdown from the one-yard line.

Quarterback Adrain Martinez had 54 yards on said drive which was one more yard than his entire game against South Dakota last Saturday.

The Cats kept it going with their second drive of the game which also resulted in six points. Martinez ran it in from 16 yards out with great blocks from left guard Cooper Beebe, center Hayden Gillum and Vaughn.

With 7:44 left in the 2nd quarter, we experienced the second rain delay of the day.

Right out of the break, Phillip Brooks returned a 76-yard punt all the way back for a touchdown to go up 20-3 after kicker Chris Tennant missed the PAT.

We would then get another break with the end of the half, and the Tigers started things off on the right foot with a stop and then another field goal this time from 45 yards out from Mevis.

After a Missouri field goal to open the third quarter, K-State was given three chances in the redzone and another near midfield thanks to interceptions by safety Kobe Savage, linebackers Daniel Green and Nick Green, and safety Cincere Mason.

The Cats were unable to score a touchdown on their three drives that started in the redzone. They resulted in six points with Tennant went 2-for-3 with his field goal kicking in that stretch with makes from 35 and 37 and a miss from 30.

However, they finally broke through after the fourth pick as Vaughn broke free for a 24-yard run. DJ Giddens scored a 28-yard touchdown to add insult to injury.

Deuce finished his day with 24 carries for 145 rushing yards with his two touchdowns.

Martinez’s day started off strong, but he suffered a slump in his performance in the third quarter. He finished going 9-for-20 with 101 passing yards and a rushing touchdown. He is still looking for his first passing touchdown of the season.

The Wildcat’s defense did a fantastic job yet again, only allowing a garbage-time touchdown on an untimed down. Aside from the interceptions, the Cats did a great job wrapping up and finishing tackles.

The stats also show how dominant the defense was. Missouri was only able to get 222 yards of total offense.

The biggest concern in this game is going 2-for-3 in the redzone during the third quarter. It’s hard to believe that this game could have been an even bigger blowout.

K-State stays at home next week to take on the Tulane Green Wave. Oklahoma struggled with Tulane just a year ago with a 40-35 final score.

Kickoff is at 2:00 p.m. and pregame coverage will start at noon on KMZA 92.1 FM .