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FACTS & STATS: Site: Cajun Field (31,000) -- Lafayette, Louisiana. Television: None. Home Record: KSU 1-0, ULL 1-0. Away Record: KSU 0-0, ULL 0-0. Neutral Record: KSU 0-0, ULL 0-0. Conference Record: KSU 0-0, ULL 0-0. Series Record: Kansas State leads, 3-0.

GAME NOTES: The Kansas State Wildcats open the road portion of their schedule on Saturday night, as they head to Louisiana to take on the UL-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns in a non-conference matchup.

Kansas State got off to a quick start last week against Massachusetts, but then faded in the second half and narrowly escaped with a 21-17 victory. The first month or so of the season is considered the Wildcats' easy portion of the schedule, yet there was nothing easy about the opener. The team has welcomed back longtime coach Bill Snyder, who ended a three-year retirement to return to the sidelines this season.

As for the Ragin' Cajuns, they are fresh off last week's 42-19 win over Southern University. There were lots of positives for a team that is breaking in new players at quarterback and running back. But now the real test begins, as ULL tangles with the likes of Kansas State and Nebraska over the next couple of weeks.

K-State has never lost to UL-Lafayette in three previous matchups.

Kansas State running back Daniel Thomas piled up 104 yards, becoming the first Wildcat since 1966 to eclipse 100 rushing yards in his debut. He was complemented by Keithen Valentine, who racked up 89 yards on just 11 carries. That's the good news. The bad is that, after taking a 21-3 halftime lead, the offense was shutout in the second half and needed a couple of big third down conversions to hold off a UMass comeback. Junior quarterback Carson Coffman was 14-of-27 for 182 yards, two TDs and one INT. Both of his scoring strikes went to Attrail Snipes, who finished with two catches for 52 yards.

The K-State defense held the Minutemen to just 212 yards of total offense. The Wildcats were especially tough in the passing game, as UMass quarterback Kyle Havens finished 10-of-34 for 102 yards, a TD and two picks. They also blocked a field goal and a punt. However, it wasn't all good news on the defensive side of the ball. After yielding just 28 yards in the first half, UMass running back Tony Nelson got into a rhythm in the second and finished with 107 yards on 19 carries (5.6 ypc). Tysyn Hartman was the difference maker for the KSU defense, as he led the team with six tackles, two INTs and two PBUs.

Chris Masson couldn't have looked much sharper in his debut as UL-Lafayette's starting quarterback. Masson went 18-of-24 for 283 yards and two TDs, while also rushing for 36 yards and a score. Head coach Rickey Bustle will be a happy man if Masson can put up those types of numbers all season long. The Ragin' Cajuns also answered some questions about the running game, as Undrea Sails went for 114 yards on 19 carries. That's certainly a promising sign for a team trying to replace the conference's all-time leading rusher (Tyrell Fenroy, 4,646 yards). Now, Masson and Sails must prove they can get the job done against teams from the Football Bowl Subdivision.

The ULL defense came away with three interceptions against Southern, marking the team's first three-interception game since September of 2007 against North Texas. With nine starters returning from last season, the coaching staff expects more big plays. So far, so good. Still, there is plenty of progress to be made. For one, the defense had no answer for Southern wideout Juamorr Stewart, who finished with 10 catches for 173 yards and a touchdown. The Cajuns also struggled to get off the field at times, as Southern converted 11- of-18 third downs and 1-of-2 fourth downs. Antwyn Zanders led ULL with nine tackles, while Dwight Bentley logged seven stops and an interception.

UL-Lafayette could be walking into a world of trouble this weekend. K-State obviously represents a much tougher obstacle than Southern. And after nearly watching a first-half lead vanish in the opener, coach Snyder will no doubt emphasize the importance of keeping up the intensity for four quarters.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Kansas State 40, UL-Lafayette 20