Kansas State defeats Nicholls 71-3 in head coach Collin Klein debut
2 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 6, 2026, 2:45 AM
Last updated Sep 6, 2026
Kansas State opened the season by defeating Nicholls 71-3 on Saturday night in Manhattan. Quarterback Avery Johnson finished with 199 passing yards and accounted for four total touchdowns, while running back Rodney Fields Jr. recorded 101 rushing yards and one score. The game marked the debut of head coach Collin Klein, who returned to his alma mater after previously serving as offensive coordinator at Texas A&M. Kansas State produced 559 yards of total offense and scored on special teams with a 65-yard punt return by Brandon White. Nicholls struggled offensively throughout the contest, managing only 122 total yards and failing to score until the final margin was settled. The Wildcats will host Washington State next Saturday, while Nicholls is scheduled to play UT-Rio Grande Valley.
- •Kansas State defeated Nicholls 71-3 in Manhattan.
- •Avery Johnson passed for 199 yards and four touchdowns.
- •Rodney Fields Jr. led the ground game with 101 rushing yards.
- •Brandon White returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown.
- •Kansas State hosts Washington State on September 12.
- 2:45 AMYahoo Sports — ‘Cats dominant in season opener, defeat Nicholls 71-3
- 2:15 AMYahoo Sports — Avery Johnson and Kansas State trounce Nicholls 71-3 to open the Collin Klein era in style
"Avery Johnson threw for 199 yards and accounted for four touchdowns in just over a half, Rodney Fields Jr. ran for 101 yards and a score, and Kansas State opened the Collin Klein era by trouncing Nicholls 71-3 on a sweltering Saturday night. Joe Jackson had touchdowns on the ground and through the air, and Jaron Tibbs and Josh Manning also had touchdown catches for the Wildcats, who looked every bit as dominant — albeit against an FCS foe — as they did back in 2012, when Klein was their Heisman Trophy finalist at quarterback and was leading them to the Big 12 championship.
"MANHATTAN (KSNT) — A dominant performance to open the ‘Collin Klein’ Era. The Kansas State Wildcats kicked off the 2026 season with a 71-3 win over Nicholls on Saturday night. The win was highlighted by a 65-yard punt return touchdown from Brandon White to put the ‘Cats up 22-0 at the end of the first. […]
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 6, 2026, 2:45 AM‘Cats dominant in season opener, defeat Nicholls 71-3
MANHATTAN (KSNT) — A dominant performance to open the ‘Collin Klein’ Era. The Kansas State Wildcats kicked off the 2026 season with a 71-3 win over Nicholls on Saturday night. The win was highlighted by a 65-yard punt return touchdown from Brandon White to put the ‘Cats up 22-0 at the end of the first. […]
- Yahoo SportsSep 6, 2026, 2:15 AMAvery Johnson and Kansas State trounce Nicholls 71-3 to open the Collin Klein era in style
Avery Johnson threw for 199 yards and accounted for four touchdowns in just over a half, Rodney Fields Jr. ran for 101 yards and a score, and Kansas State opened the Collin Klein era by trouncing Nicholls 71-3 on a sweltering Saturday night. Joe Jackson had touchdowns on the ground and through the air, and Jaron Tibbs and Josh Manning also had touchdown catches for the Wildcats, who looked every bit as dominant — albeit against an FCS foe — as they did back in 2012, when Klein was their Heisman Trophy finalist at quarterback and was leading them to the Big 12 championship.
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