Gabe Powers Helps Lead Dominant Kansas State Defense in Win Over Washington State
Updated: 7 hours ago
Gabe Powers Helps Kansas State Defense Dominate Washington State in 34–7 Victory
Published: September 14, 2026 Sport: College Football
Final Score: Kansas State 34, Washington State 7
Kansas State linebacker and Marysville graduate Gabe Powers helped the Wildcats deliver another dominant defensive performance Saturday afternoon.
Kansas State defeated Washington State 34–7 on September 12, improving to 2–0 and holding an opposing offense without a touchdown for the second consecutive week.
Powers finished with four solo tackles and two quarterback hurries. His contributions went beyond the final stat line, however. The former Marysville standout consistently pressured Washington State quarterback Caden Pinnick and delivered one of the most important defensive plays of the game.
Powers makes a critical fourth-down stop
Kansas State led only 3–0 when Washington State faced fourth-and-one from the Wildcats’ 36-yard line early in the second quarter.
Pinnick kept the ball and attempted to run up the middle for the first down. Powers met him at the line and stopped him for no gain.
The play forced a turnover on downs and prevented Washington State from entering scoring range.
Kansas State’s offense took advantage of the stop, driving 64 yards in 10 plays before Avery Johnson connected with Josh Manning for a six-yard touchdown. Instead of Washington State potentially taking the lead, the Wildcats moved ahead 10–0.
That sequence helped change the direction of the game.
It was also the type of play that does not always receive the same attention as a sack or interception. Powers recognized the situation, stayed disciplined and made the tackle his team needed.
Powers applies consistent pressure
Powers was credited with two quarterback hurries, but both pressures came at important moments.
His first hurry forced an incomplete pass during Washington State’s opening drive. The possession eventually ended with a missed field goal.
His second came early in the third quarter, when he pressured Pinnick into another incomplete pass. Kansas State recorded a sack on the following play and forced a three-and-out.
Powers also contributed tackles against the run and made a stop on punt coverage during the second half.
His final line included:
➡️ Four solo tackles
➡️ Two quarterback hurries
➡️ One fourth-down stop
➡️ One special-teams tackle
Powers did not need a sack or takeaway to affect the game. His pressure helped other defenders finish plays, and his fourth-down tackle directly created another possession for the offense.
Kansas State’s defense controls the game
The Wildcats held Washington State to only 166 yards on 50 offensive plays.
The Cougars finished with:
➡️ 10 first downs
➡️ 101 rushing yards
➡️ 65 passing yards
➡️ 3.3 yards per play
➡️ Nine completions on 20 attempts
➡️ Zero offensive touchdowns
Washington State’s only touchdown came on an interception return during the second quarter.
Kansas State’s defense never allowed the Cougars’ offense to reach the end zone. After halftime, Washington State managed only 41 total yards and crossed midfield just once.
The Wildcats continually placed the Cougars in difficult situations. Washington State struggled to stay ahead of the chains, could not create consistent plays through the air and repeatedly faced pressure from Kansas State’s defensive front.
Wendell Gregory led the defense with five tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks. Mekhi Mason also recorded five tackles, while Powers was next with four.
Kansas State finished with five sacks, nine tackles for loss and two takeaways.
From Marysville to a leadership role at Kansas State
For people in Marysville, Powers’ ability and work ethic have been familiar for a long time.
He became one of the most decorated athletes in Marysville High School history, finishing his senior football season with 90 tackles and 17 tackles for loss. He earned Ohio’s Gatorade Player of the Year award before beginning his college career at Ohio State.
His path through college football has required patience.
Powers played primarily on special teams and in a reserve defensive role during his first few seasons at Ohio State. He continued working, remained academically successful and contributed when opportunities became available, including returning an interception 29 yards for a touchdown against Akron.
Following the 2024 season, Powers transferred to Kansas State looking for a larger defensive role and a fresh opportunity.
During his first season with the Wildcats, he appeared in all 12 games and recorded 21 tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss. He continued earning the trust of the coaching staff and was eventually selected as one of Kansas State’s team captains for the 2026 season.
That honor speaks to more than playing time or statistics. Captains are chosen because teammates and coaches trust their preparation, communication and leadership.
Powers’ story is not simply about leaving one major program for another. It is about continuing to work when the original path did not unfold exactly as expected.
Wildcats produce 487 yards offensively
While the defense controlled Washington State, Kansas State’s offense delivered a balanced performance.
Quarterback Avery Johnson completed 22 of 34 passes for 192 yards and three touchdowns. He also contributed several important runs, including a 22-yard gain during a second-quarter touchdown drive.
Rodney Fields Jr. recorded his second consecutive 100-yard rushing performance, finishing with 105 yards. His biggest play came early in the third quarter when he broke free for a 75-yard touchdown that extended Kansas State’s lead to 24–7.
Josh Manning led the receiving group with 97 yards and a touchdown. Joe Jackson added a 21-yard touchdown reception, while Keith Brown also reached the end zone.
The Wildcats finished with:
➡️ 487 total yards
➡️ 295 rushing yards
➡️ 192 passing yards
➡️ 24 first downs
➡️ 34:09 in time of possession
Kansas State controlled the football, remained balanced and repeatedly gave its defense time to rest.
A strong beginning under Collin Klein
Kansas State has opened its first season under head coach Collin Klein with two convincing victories:
➡️ Kansas State 71, Nicholls 3
➡️ Kansas State 34, Washington State 7
The Wildcats have outscored their first two opponents 105–10. Their defense has not allowed an offensive touchdown through eight quarters.
Powers has recorded 10 tackles through those two games, including seven solo stops. He has also produced two tackles for loss and the two quarterback hurries recorded against Washington State.
The numbers provide only part of the picture. His responsibilities include maintaining gap discipline, communicating with the defense, applying pressure and making sure other players are positioned to finish tackles.
Against Washington State, he did all of those things.
A lesson for younger athletes
Powers’ journey offers an important message for high school and college athletes.
Being highly recruited does not guarantee an immediate role. Beginning at one school does not mean a player must finish there. Transferring does not mean the original experience was a failure. Sometimes an athlete needs time to develop. Sometimes the right opportunity arrives later than expected.
Powers remained prepared until he found a program that offered a larger role. He is now a starting contributor and team captain for an undefeated Kansas State team.
His fourth-down stop against Washington State will not dominate national highlight shows. Inside the game, however, it was one of the moments that helped Kansas State take control.
Those are the plays winning defenses—and trusted leaders—are expected to make.
Kansas State will return to action against Tulane as Powers and the Wildcats look to continue their unbeaten start.
Have a local athlete, college performance or recruiting story Wolfe Sports should know about? Email: info@wolfesportsrecruiting.com
