The Kansas State Wildcats came up short in a 51-47 loss to Utah on Saturday in a game they led 47-35 with seven minutes to play. The game unraveled quickly in Salt Lake City, and the Cats gave up 16 unanswered points to drop to 5-6 on the season.
After the game, Chris Klieman took the podium for his press conference and was incredibly emotional, including an opening statement that included frustration with those who have questioned him, his staff and his players as the 2025 season has come up short of expectations.
Klieman said, “I know a lot of people thought we’d come over here and lay down. And that maybe the kids had cashed it in, because I’ve heard it enough. I’ve heard I cashed it in, I’ve heard the players have cashed it in… We need to get new leaders in here, new players, new coaches, I’m tired of it. To be honest, I’m tired of it. I’ve given my friggin’ ass life to this place for seven years. I’ve given everything for seven years. I think I deserve a little bit of respect. I’m frustrated, like everybody else is, but I love those kids, and I’d go to friggin’ battle with those kids any day.”
Here’s the full video from GoPowercat.
Klieman went on to note that they planned to run it at Utah in a way the Utes had not seen this season, and it worked, as the Cats rushed for nearly 500 yards, including a single-game program-record 293 by Joe Jackson.
There was some controversy with the officiating, but Klieman did not want to address the refs, saying, “It is what it is. I’m not going to comment on officiating.”
The Wildcats will close out the season in Week 14 when they take on the Colorado Buffaloes. A win will make the program bowl eligible for a fifth-straight season.
