Kansas State Athletics
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Thanks to their performances in Kansas State’s 35-24 victory over Kansas – the Wildcats’ 18-straight win over their in-state rival – kicker Luis Rodriguez and defensive back Nick McClellan have been named the Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week and Big 12 Freshman of the Week, respectively, the conference office announced on Monday.
Rodriguez claimed the 66th all-time Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week honor for the Wildcats and the first since fellow place kicker Chris Tennant earned the nod two years ago against Kansas. McClellan picked up the Wildcats’ first ever Big 12 Freshman of the Week honor as that award was introduced last season.
A native of Sylmar, California, Rodriguez went 4-for-4 on field goal attempts and 3-for-3 on extra-point attempts, totaling 15 points in the game. One of Rodriguez’s connections was a career-long tying 51-yarder in the second quarter, which was also the third longest in a Big 12 game this season. He also connected on a 34-yard field goal with under two minutes remaining in the contest to make it a two-possession game.
Rodriguez’s four field goals tied for the second most in a game in school history, tied for the most in a Big 12 game this season and tied for the fourth most by any kicker in the nation this year. He is one of seven kickers in the nation to be perfect on at least 10 field goal attempts this season, while he ranks 16th nationally in field goals per game (1.67). Additionally, Rodriguez is 23-of-25 in his career (92.0%), ranking first nationally among active kickers (minimum 20 attempts).
Making his first-career start, McClellan recorded three tackles – two of which went for a loss of 14 yards – forced a fumble on a punt attempt that resulted in a safety and broke up a pass in K-State territory with 1:15 remaining in the game. He helped the Wildcats record their first safety in two years, which also came in the home game against Kansas.
Kansas State travels to face Arizona State on Saturday in a 2:45 p.m. (CT) game that will be televised by ESPN2. After a game at Colorado on October 31, the Wildcats return home to face Oklahoma State on November 7. Tickets to the game against the Cowboys can be purchased online at www.kstatesports.com/tickets.