Michigan’s defensive travails continued in the first half of the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl against Kansas State on Saturday night.
Jake Waters threw three touchdown passes to Tyler Lockett and the Wildcats jumped out to a 21-6 halftime lead over the Wolverines.
Michigan had no answers for K-State’s multiple attack. Waters completed 9 of 11 passes for 128 yards while also rushing for 26 yards as the Wildcats accumulated 205 yards of offense on three crisp, well-executed drives. Lockett caught five passes for 63 yards and also had 74 yards on two kickoff returns, setting up K-State in excellent field position each time.
Wolverines freshman quarterback Shane Morris made his first career start and acquitted himself well, leading his team on two field goal drives while completing 15 of 19 passes for 121 yards. But the playbook looked limited for the talented signal caller and, with Michigan’s ground game stagnant (10 yards), Brady Hoke will have no choice but to open it up in the second half.
Right now, the Wildcats look like the more well-prepared team. If they keep this up, they’ll have their first bowl win since 2002.