By SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN — The Miami Herald
MANHATTAN, Kan. - Last year, Miami came 1 yard short of defeating Kansas State.
On Saturday, it seemed more like a couple hundred miles on the Kansas Turnpike.
The Wildcats bullied the Hurricanes up and down the field at Bill Snyder Family Stadium, as purple power prevailed 52-13 on a gorgeous football day in the Midwest.
No. 21 Kansas State earned its 20th consecutive victory at home against an unranked, nonconference opponent.
For Miami, it was back to reality - a harsh reality. The loss was the most lopsided for the Hurricanes since falling to Virginia 48-0 in 2007 in their final game in the Orange Bowl.
"They were excellent," Miami coach Al Golden said of the Wildcats (2-0), whose 52 points were the most allowed by Miami since losing to Syracuse 66-13 in 1998. "They beat us in all three phases. They outplayed us, outcoached us, starting with me, and that's it.
"No excuses. They deserved to win."
The Canes (1-1) have lost 11 of their past 12 road games against Top 25 opponents.
And this time, unlike in their season-opening victory last weekend, the Hurricanes didn't come close to making a comeback after falling behind 14-0 with 2:52 left in the first quarter.
"It hurts really bad," said senior safety Vaughn Telemaque, whose defense allowed 498 yards - 288 of those on the ground. "I felt like we were really prepared and motivated, and they just stuck it to us. Even when we needed momentum we didn't get it.
"We failed to do our assignments. We failed to play at a high level. We just failed all around."
Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein did anything but fail. Klein dominated the Hurricanes in 2011 and did it again Saturday - with his legs and arm.
He had plenty of time to survey the landscape in front of him and decide whether to run or pass.
Klein completed 9 of 11 passes for 210 yards and one touchdown, with one interception. He rushed 22 times for 71 yards and three touchdowns.
"Like I said going into the game," Golden said, "he's one of the best in the country.
"And we didn't stop him."
With 10:51 left, Miami had given up five rushing touchdowns for the first time since that 66-13 loss at Syracuse.
With 5:30 left, Kansas State got its sixth touchdown on the ground - the most rushing touchdowns allowed by Miami since at least the 1952 season.
Mistakes hurt
The Hurricanes' first big mistake - a fumble by running back Eduardo Clements at the KSU 41 - culminated five plays later in a Kansas State touchdown. Defensive end Adam Davis forced the fumble, and to rub it in, former Hurricanes linebacker Arthur Brown (he transferred to K-State after two years at Miami) recovered.
The Wildcats wasted little time, with Klein completing a 30-yard pass to Tramaine Thompson and then handing off to Tyler Lockett for a 16-yard run. Klein weaved down the middle on first down for the 6-yard score to make it 14-0.
"Just like last week," Miami middle linebacker Denzel Perryman said. "I got to the sideline and said, 'Guys, calm down, play ball, relax. Put it behind us."
But this time it didn't work. The Miami offense, which came through at Boston College with the aid of great blocking and an outstanding performance by freshman Duke Johnson, got manhandled.
Morris stymied
Miami quarterback Stephen Morris was sacked five times, once hit hard enough in the back from his blind side to cause one of his two fumbles. Morris completed 19 of 26 passes for 215 yards, with no touchdowns.
The Hurricanes' rushing offense? Nonexistent.
Miami gained 40 yards on 29 carries.
Miami's first six points came on field goals by Jake Wieclaw - a 32-yarder with 11 seconds left in the first quarter and a 27-yarder to end the first half.
The Canes scored again on a 2-yard pass from backup Ryan Williams to tight end Clive Walford with 3:51 left in the game. Duke Johnson set up the drive by returning a kickoff 77 yards to the K-State 17.
Next up for Miami: Bethune-Cookman in the Hurricanes' home opener Saturday at Sun Life Stadium.
"It's just quiet right now," Morris said of the overall mood. "Guys are just kind of bringing it in. Things kind of feel surreal. We're trying to move on, move forward, get back on the plane and go home."
Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2012/09/09/4192099/miami-overpowered-by-kansas-state.html#storylink=cpy
