The 2018 Kansas State Wildcats football team represented Kansas State University in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Wildcats played their home games at the Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium in Manhattan, Kansas, and competed in the Big 12 Conference. They were led by head coach Bill Snyder in his 10th season of his current tenure at Kansas State and 27th overall. They finished the season 5–7 overall, 3–6 in Big 12 play to finish in a three-way tie for seventh place.
On December 2, Snyder, who had signed a five-year extension before the season began, announced his retirement. His final record was 215–117–1 in 27 seasons. On December 10, North Dakota State head coach Chris Klieman was hired as Snyder's successor.
Previous season
The Wildcats finished the 2017 season 8–5, 5–4 in Big 12 play to finish in a four-way tie for fourth place. They were invited to the Cactus Bowl where they defeated UCLA.
Preseason
On December 6, 2017 it was announced that offensive coordinator Dana Dimel was hired as the new head coach for UTEP. Coach Dimel fulfilled his final OC duties for KSU while participating in the Cactus Bowl before moving to his new job. His son Winston Dimel also transferred to UTEP after three seasons at Kansas State.
Award watch lists
Listed in the order that they were released
Big 12 media poll
The Big 12 media poll was released on July 12, 2018 with the Wildcats predicted to finish in sixth place.
Recruiting
The following is a list of the recruits that are on the 2018 roster.
Schedule
The Wildcats hosted three non-conference opponents; South Dakota from the Missouri Valley Football Conference, Mississippi State from the Southeastern Conference, and UTSA from Conference USA.
Kansas State announced its 2018 football schedule on October 26, 2017. The 2018 schedule consisted of seven home and five away games in the regular season. The Wildcats hosted Big 12 foes Texas, Oklahoma State, Kansas, and Texas Tech and traveled to West Virginia, Baylor, Oklahoma, TCU, and Iowa State.
Coaching staff
The following is a list of coaches at Kansas State for the 2018 season.
Roster
Names in bold means player sits out due to NCAA transfer rules. Names in italics means player is a transfer. ESPN roster for the 2018 season.
Kansas State's 2018 football roster consists of 22 transfers. Luke Sowa (Butler CC via UConn), Adam Harter (Butler CC), Hunter Rison (Michigan State), Matt Jones (Butler CC), Hayden Perry (Hutchinson CC), Abdul Beecham (Blinn), Nick Kaltmayer (Western Illinois), Tyquilo Moore (Butler CC), Osvelt Joseph (Garden City CC), Joe Davies (Coffeyville CC), Logan Stoddard (Highland CC), Rahsaan York (American River College), Da'Quan Patton (Trinity Valley CC), Eric Gallon II (Virginia), Blake Richmeier (Butler CC), Darreyl Patterson (Northeastern Oklahoma A&M), Jordan Noil (Hutchinson CC), Elijah Walker (Cerritos CC), Kevion McGee (Northeastern Oklahoma A&M), Daron Bowles (Diablo Valley JC), Jahron McPherson (Butler CC), Devin Anctil (Coffeyville CC) and David Tullis (Butler CC).
Game summaries
South Dakota
Kansas State's Isaiah Zuber was credited for saving the game with two key plays: an 85-yard punt return with South Dakota leading 24-12. Later in the game Zuber caught a touchdown pass from Skylar Thompson with 7:21 left to give K-State its first lead of the second half.
Kansas State scored all but seven of its points on field goals and special teams. Sophomore kicker Blake Lynch scored Kansas State's first 12 points on field goals of 22, 24, 38 and 44 yards. Kansas State racked up 13 penalties for 129 yards, but maintained more control of the ball with 37:39 of offense compared to South Dakota's 22:21. going over 100 years for the first time since 2016 against Florida Atlantic.
Among the penalties committed by Kansas State had significant impact on the game. An illegal block negated a punt-return touchdown by Duke Shelley; holding penalties erased first downs; and an Eli Walker interception was taken away by a pass-interference penalty and Walker was subsequently flagged for spiking the football.
South Dakota quarterback Austin Simmons threw for 257 yards and one touchdown, continually finding receiver Levi Falck (11 catches, 140 yards) open against top K-State cornerback Duke Shelley. The Coyotes led 24-12 at halftime. ESPN reported "... one solid takeaway is how well the Coyotes were in control for much of the game. They did a great job limiting the Kansas State offense for three quarters and had many Kansas State fans, players and coaches frustrated throughout the night."