What Is 2014 Kansas State Wildcats football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2014 Kansas State Wildcats football team represented Kansas State University in the 2014 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a 9-4 record under head coach Bill Snyder. They played in the Big 12 Conference and won the Pinstripe Bowl 35-18 over Rutgers on December 27, 2014.

Key Facts

Finished the 2014 season with a 9-4 overall record
Won the Pinstripe Bowl 35-18 against Rutgers on December 27, 2014
Played in the Big 12 Conference, finishing 6-3 in conference play
Head coach Bill Snyder in his 25th season at Kansas State
Quarterback Jake Waters threw for 3,067 yards and 25 touchdowns

Overview

The 2014 Kansas State Wildcats football team competed as part of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, representing Kansas State University during the 2014 season. Led by head coach Bill Snyder in his 25th season, the team played its home games at Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan, Kansas, and competed in the Big 12 Conference.

The Wildcats finished the regular season with a 9-3 record, earning a spot in the Pinstripe Bowl. Their performance marked a significant improvement over the previous year and showcased a balanced offensive attack and disciplined defense under Snyder’s leadership.

Record: The team finished with a 9-4 overall record, including a 6-3 mark in Big 12 Conference play, placing them in the upper half of the league standings.
Bowl Game: Kansas State defeated Rutgers 35-18 in the 2014 Pinstripe Bowl on December 27 at Yankee Stadium, marking their 11th bowl win under Bill Snyder.
Head Coach: Bill Snyder, in his 25th season, continued to rebuild the program after a down year in 2013, leading the Wildcats to a winning season and postseason victory.
Offensive Leader: Quarterback Jake Waters threw for 3,067 yards and 25 touchdowns, completing 64.5% of his passes while adding 449 rushing yards.
Defensive Standout: Cornerback Nigel Geckle recorded 4 interceptions and 11 pass breakups, anchoring a defense that held opponents to 22.5 points per game.

Season Performance

The 2014 campaign was marked by resilience, key victories, and a strong finish in the postseason. After a rocky start to the season, the Wildcats won six of their final seven games, demonstrating growth under Snyder’s guidance.

Early Struggles: A 31-30 loss to No. 11 West Virginia in October dropped the team to 3-3, but they responded with a 6-1 finish to the regular season.
Key Win: A 20-14 victory over rival Kansas in the regular-season finale secured a winning record and bowl eligibility.
Big 12 Standings: The Wildcats tied for third in the Big 12 with TCU and Baylor, behind undefeated champions Baylor and TCU, both ranked in the final CFP Top 25.
Rushing Attack: Running back Charles Sims contributed 872 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns, forming a potent 1-2 punch with Waters.
Defensive Efficiency: The defense ranked 28th nationally in yards per play allowed (4.8), showcasing improvement from the previous season’s 100th-place finish.

Comparison at a Glance

Performance comparison between the 2014 Kansas State Wildcats and key conference rivals:

Team	Overall Record	Conference Record	Bowl Result	Points Per Game
Kansas State	9-4	6-3	Won Pinstripe Bowl (35-18 vs. Rutgers)	29.5
Baylor	11-2	8-1	Lost CFP Semifinal (52-42 to Oregon)	52.4
TCU	10-3	7-2	Lost Peach Bowl (42-3 to Ole Miss)	47.8
Oklahoma	8-5	5-4	Lost Sugar Bowl (42-3 to Alabama)	35.2
Kansas	2-10	0-9	Did not qualify	17.8

The table illustrates Kansas State’s solid performance within the competitive Big 12, finishing ahead of traditional bottom-feeders like Kansas and trailing only the top-tier Baylor and TCU squads. Their bowl victory provided a morale boost and highlighted the team’s ability to perform under pressure in high-stakes games.

Why It Matters

The 2014 season reaffirmed Bill Snyder’s legacy and demonstrated the program’s resilience after a disappointing 2013 campaign. The turnaround season reinforced Kansas State as a consistent bowl contender in the Big 12.

Program Stability: The 9-4 record under Snyder, then 75, proved the program remained competitive despite his age and speculation about retirement.
Bowl Success: The Pinstripe Bowl win improved Kansas State’s all-time bowl record to 11-10, with Snyder responsible for all 11 victories.
Recruiting Boost: A winning season and bowl appearance helped secure a stronger 2015 recruiting class, including several 4-star prospects.
Conference Relevance: Finishing third in the Big 12 kept Kansas State in national conversations despite lacking the offensive firepower of Baylor or TCU.
Player Development: Jake Waters’ breakout season showed Snyder’s ability to develop quarterbacks, a key factor in future program success.
Stadium Momentum: Continued strong attendance (averaging 50,458 per home game) supported ongoing stadium upgrades and fan engagement.

The 2014 season was a testament to consistency, discipline, and coaching excellence. It laid the foundation for continued competitiveness in one of college football’s toughest conferences.