Nov 16, 2024; Ames, Iowa, USA; Iowa State Cyclones head coach Matt Campbell watches his team play the Cincinnati Bearcats at Jack Trice Stadium. The Iowa State Cyclones won the game 34-17.  Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-Imagn Images

No. 18 Iowa State tops No. 24 Kansas State for 1st 10-win season

No. 18 Iowa State scored 14 points off turnovers and defeated No. 24 Kansas State 29-21 on Saturday on a frigid night in Ames, Iowa.

The Cyclones (10-2, 7-2 Big 12) will face Arizona State in the Big 12 Championship Game on Dec. 7 if BYU beats Houston later Saturday. The Cyclones last won a conference football championship in 1912 when they were members of the Missouri Valley Conference.

Iowa State has 10 wins in a season for the first time in school history.

The Wildcats (8-4, 5-4) have lost three of their past four games.

Rocco Becht threw for 137 yards and two touchdowns for the Cyclones. Avery Johnson racked up 220 yards passing and three touchdowns for the Wildcats (8-4, 5-4), who have lost three of their past four games.

Trailing 24-14, Kansas State looked poised to make it a one-score game midway through the third quarter after a first-and-goal at Iowa State’s 5-yard line. But two short gains set up a 21-yard field-goal attempt that was blocked.

The Wildcats converted on their next possession as Johnson hit Garrett Oakley for a 7-yard touchdown to trim their deficit to 24-21 with 4:41 left in the third. Kansas State stopped Iowa State on fourth-and-2 at the Kansas State 7. On the Wildcats’ ensuing possession, Johnson was called for intentional grounding in the end zone, extending the Cyclones’ lead to 26-21 with 13:22 left in the game.

Iowa State then got a 20-yard field goal by Kyle Konrardy with 6:16 left to cap the scoring.

Johnson’s throw on the first play of the game was ruled a backward pass, which was recovered by Iowa State at the Kansas State 27-yard line. Six plays later, Becht found Jayden Higgins for a 15-yard touchdown.

After going three-and-out on their second drive, the Wildcats found their footing. Johnson found Jayce Brown for a 28-yard touchdown to cap a 10-play, 83-yard drive and tie the score at 7-7.

Iowa State regained the lead early in the second quarter on a 41-yard field goal by Konrardy. Kansas State then turned the ball over again when Keagan Johnson fumbled at the Wildcats’ own 30 after making a reception. Five plays later, Becht found Jaylin Noel in the back of the end zone for a 17-7 lead.

Kansas State got back into the game when Johnson threw a 65-yard touchdown to Brown to cut the Wildcats’ deficit to 17-14 with 5:49 left in the first half.

Becht’s 5-yard run with 43 seconds left in the second quarter gave Iowa State a 24-14 halftime lead.

–Field Level Media

Oct 26, 2024; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats defensive end Chiddi Obiazor (8) celebrates a safety against Kansas Jayhawks during the second quarter at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images

Chris Tennant’s 51-yard FG fuels No. 16 Kansas State past Kansas

Chris Tennant tied his career long with a 51-yard field goal in the final two minutes, helping No. 16 Kansas State to a 29-27 victory over in-state rival Kansas on Saturday in Manhattan, Kan.

K-State extended its winning streak over Kansas to 16 games.

Avery Johnson was 19-of-34 for 253 yards and two touchdowns for the Wildcats (7-1, 4-1 Big 12). Johnson also had a rushing touchdown.

K-State opened the second half with a quick scoring drive, capped by Johnson’s 10-yard run. The big play on the drive was a 54-yard run by DJ Giddens.

Kansas (2-6, 1-4) answered with Devin Neal’s 24-yard rushing touchdown. The extra-point attempt hit the upright, making the score 23-20. Neal’s touchdown was the 44th of his career, making him the all-time TD leader in Kansas history.

Jalon Daniels then put Kansas ahead 27-23 on an 8-yard touchdown run up the middle with 36 seconds left in the third quarter.

Kansas State drew within 27-26 on a 28-yard field goal by Tennant early in the fourth quarter.

Kansas State went for it on fourth-and-12 from the Kansas 42 with just over four minutes left. An incomplete pass gave the ball back to the Jayhawks. But Daniels fumbled and K-State got the ball at the KU 48 with 3:44 left. The Wildcats’ drive lasted 2:02 and ended with Tennant’s 51-yard field goal with 1:42 left.

Daniels’ rush on fourth down with a minute left was short, and the Wildcats held on.

Kansas opened the scoring with an 11-play, 75-yard drive on its opening possession. Sevion Morrison bounced around the right end for a 38-yard touchdown to cap the drive.

K-State answered with a 13-play, 95-yard drive. Johnson hit tight end Will Anciaux with a 24-yard touchdown pass.

On the ensuing kickoff, Kansas returner Jameel Croft Jr. caught the ball at his own 1-yard line before stepping out of bounds. On the next play, Neal was stopped in the backfield for a safety. On the next drive, Johnson found another tight end, Garrett Oakley, on a 2-yard touchdown on a jump pass for a 16-7 lead.

Kansas responded with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Daniels to Luke Grimm to cap a 75-yard drive. The Jayhawks appeared to be driving for a go-ahead score late in the first half when Daniels threw an interception in the end zone.

–Field Level Media

Oct 19, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Kansas State Wildcats coach Chris Klieman speaks with the media after defeating the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images

Seeking Sweet 16: Kansas State vies to extend run in Sunflower Showdown

No. 16 Kansas State will seek its 16th straight victory over in-state rival Kansas when the teams meet in a Big 12 game Saturday night in Manhattan, Kan.

While Wildcats fans will boast about the longest winning streak in the history of the Sunflower Showdown, Kansas fans will point to the fact that the Jayhawks still have won more than they have lost in the all-time series.

For the coaches, those are just numbers in the past. The only thing that matters is Saturday.

“Because it’s KU vs. K-State, we’re not going to have that problem this week,” Kansas State coach Chris Klieman said Monday when it was suggested his team lacked energy at the start of its game last Saturday vs. West Virginia. “Just because of the respect both programs have for each other.”

That was Klieman’s way of saying the records don’t matter. The two programs aren’t fond of each other.

The Jayhawks (2-5, 1-3) snapped a five-game losing streak with a 42-14 victory over Houston last Saturday. It was a relief for Kansas coach Lance Leipold.

“We were able to put pressure on the quarterback,” Leipold said of the difference between Saturday’s contest and the five previous games. “We were able to create a few turnovers and get some momentum.

“Offensively, we were able to take some shots and get the ball down the field.

“This team has been very fragile for a while, because we’ve been so close. For us to have a win of this margin is something we’ve been waiting for.”

Kansas defensive back Cobee Bryant tied a school record with three interceptions against Houston. Bryant was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week for his performance, which also included three tackles and one tackle-for-loss.

The Jayhawks now must switch their focus from celebration to preparation.

“I think (the players have) handled it extremely well,” Leipold said Monday. “They came in with a good attitude today, obviously pleased with the good outcome Saturday, but understanding that it’s one game and we have plenty to improve on.

“We have a very good opponent coming up, and we’re going to have to travel to Manhattan to play a good football team.”

The Wildcats (6-1, 3-1) also won last Saturday, defeating West Virginia 45-18 in arguably their best game of the season. Avery Johnson completed 19 of 29 passes for a career-high 298 yards and three touchdowns. When the Mountaineers took away the running game, holding DJ Giddens to a season-low 57 yards, the Wildcats took to the air.

“It was not a very good performance in the first half,” Klieman said. “Two plays solidified or gave us the chance to be successful. One was the fourth-down stop that we had at the end of the first half (which allowed K-State to take a 17-10 lead into the locker room).

“The other one was when we had a fourth-and-6 or fourth-and-7 in the first drive of the second half and we decided to go for it. Avery did a great job making a rusher miss, and Ty (Bowman) made a big catch and got a first down. We scored on that drive and ended up playing really good football in the second half.”

But again, that’s in the past.

“(Kansas) has a lot of really good players on both sides of the ball,” Klieman said. “We’ve got to come up with a really good plan.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 19, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Avery Johnson (2) throws a pass during the first quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images

No. 17 Kansas State rides QB Avery Johnson’s arm in rout of West Virginia

Avery Johnson threw for career highs in yards (298) and touchdowns (three) in his eighth career start as No. 17 Kansas State dominated host West Virginia 45-18 on Saturday night.

On a night K-State (6-1, 3-1 Big 12) struggled to get any traction on the ground, Johnson found three different receivers for touchdowns. The Wildcats entered the game second in the conference with 241 rushing yards per game but was held to a season-low 114.

Quarterback Garrett Greene was 9-of-19 for 85 yards, with a touchdown and two interceptions, for the Mountaineers (3-4, 2-2 Big 12). He did not play in the second half due to an upper-body injury.

Kansas State scored on its first two possessions of the second half to open a 31-10 lead, with two key plays helping the Wildcats. On the first drive, they converted a fourth-and-5 when Johnson escaped a near sack to hit tight end Ty Bowman for a first down. Three plays later, Johnson found Garrett Oakley for a 16-yard touchdown.

On the next drive, Johnson hit DJ Giddens on a screen pass and Giddens took it 53 yards to the West Virginia 1-yard line. Johnson found tight end Will Anciaux for a 1-yard touchdown.

After Giddens scored from a yard out to give K-State a 38-10 lead, West Virginia backup quarterback Nicco Marchiol hit Traylon Ray for a 12-yard touchdown, followed by a successful two-point conversion.

But Giddens’ second TD stretched the lead to 45-18.

After the teams traded field goals, Johnson hit Jadon Jackson on a 60-yard scoring strike with 21 seconds left in the first quarter to give K-State a 10-3 lead.

On West Virginia’s next possession, Marques Sigle picked off a Greene pass and returned it 43 yards for a touchdown and a two-score lead.

West Virginia responded with a 13-play, 70-yard drive. Greene found Hudson Clement on a 7-yard touchdown on third and goal to cap the drive. West Virginia then had the ball at the K-State 3-yard line with a fourth-and-1 in the half’s final minute, but Greene’s pass was incomplete.

–Field Level Media

Sep 13, 2024; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Avery Johnson (2) warms up before the start of a game against the Arizona Wildcats at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images

No. 13 Kansas State opens Big 12 slate at fellow unbeaten BYU

No. 13 Kansas State and host BYU both look to remain unbeaten when the unfamiliar 3-0 squads clash on Saturday night in their Big 12 Conference opener in Provo, Utah.

These two schools have never met as conference opponents, splitting their eight previous meetings. The last time they squared off was in the 1997 Cotton Bowl, which BYU won with a game-saving interception. The last time K-State played in Provo was a 39-0 loss in 1977.

Kansas State coach Chris Klieman is anxious to see how his team handles the new surroundings and a new rivalry.

“It’s going to be a tough environment,” he said. “A lot of respect for (BYU coach) Kalani (Sitake) and BYU. It’s going to be a heck of an atmosphere and a great test for us.

“Two weeks ago, we were talking about humidity and heat (before K-State’s game at Tulane) and now we’re talking about being cool and elevated (altitude). What a crazy league we’re in.”

BYU trounced Wyoming 34-14 on the road last weekend.

K-State showed newcomer Arizona what life in the Big 12 might be like, scoring the final 31 points in a 31-7 win over the then-No. 20 Wildcats.

While Arizona is now in the Big 12, it was a nonconference game since it was scheduled before Arizona joined the conference.

The Wildcats and Cougars rank near the middle of the Big 12 in scoring offense at seventh and ninth, respectively. They’re in the top half defensively, ranking fourth and fifth, respectively. But how they’ve gotten there is different.

The BYU offense is doing it through the air, averaging 289.3 passing yards per game, fifth in the conference. K-State, meanwhile, is second in the league with 244.3 rushing yards per game. BYU is ranked fourth in rushing defense, allowing just 105.7 yards per game.

Sitake knows the competition is going to get tougher, now that the conference season is starting. He believes that his team is ready for the challenge.

“It didn’t go perfectly, but there were some really good things to work on, some really good things to get better at,” he said following BYU’s victory over Wyoming. “I feel like we got better from last week to this week, and I am looking forward to making an improvement from this week to next.”

BYU’s Jake Retzlaff completed 22 of 36 passes for 291 yards with three touchdowns and one pick. He was also BYU’s leading rusher against the Cowboys with six carries for 62 yards.

K-State’s Avery Johnson rushed for 110 yards and was 14-of-23 passing for 156 yards with two touchdowns against Arizona. Johnson passed the credit around.

“It starts with Coach Riles (offensive coordinator Conor Riley),” Johnson said. “He came out firing. And credit Coach Klieman. We could have opened with a three-and-out but he said, ‘Go for it’ in our own end and we ended up with a 15-play drive.

“But it all starts with Coach Riles.”

–Field Level Media

Aug 31, 2024; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats linebacker Kam Sallis (7) tries to strip the ball from Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks quarterback Kaiya Sheron (12) during the fourth quarter at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images

Ranked Wildcats fight in meeting of No. 14 Kansas State, No. 20 Arizona

No. 14 Kansas State and No. 20 Arizona battle in a key Big 12 matchup Friday night in Manhattan, Kan.

The matchup was set up before Arizona and three others from the Pac-12 joined the Big 12 this season. The programs decided to keep the game scheduled as an intriguing cat fight as a welcome to the 16-team Big 12 for Arizona.

Kansas State (2-0) rallied from a 10-point halftime deficit at Tulane on Saturday to record a 34-27 win. The Wildcats scored the winning points on a 60-yard fumble return midway through the fourth quarter.

“That would be terrible for me to say — or anybody to say — ‘Wait, you guys don’t look pretty good,’” Kansas State coach Chris Klieman said. “We beat a good football team. One thing I learned that I wasn’t sure of is that we have really good leadership. Our culture won that game with those older kids and leaders, in particular stepping up at halftime.”

Arizona also is 2-0 but not without concerns. The Wildcats gave up 39 points to New Mexico in the opener and then struggled offensively in a 22-10 victory over FBS opponent Northern Arizona last weekend.

Arizona was without two starting offensive linemen against the Lumberjacks, including veteran center Josh Baker. Coach Brent Brennan said Monday he was unsure if the senior would return against Kansas State.

The patchwork offensive line led to more defensive pressure on quarterback Noah Fifita, who passed for 173 yards after connecting for 422 yards in the opener. Much of that first-game yardage went to Tetairoa McMillan, who had 10 catches for 304 yards and four touchdowns against New Mexico, but he followed up with only two receptions for 11 yards against NAU.

Arizona also might be without starting running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who was held out last week due to potential eligibility issues. His status was unknown as of Monday, Brennan said.

Arizona was 0-for-10 on third downs last Saturday.

“A couple of missed throws, missed opportunities. That part was really, really frustrating,” Brennan said. “In some situations, you kind of press. We just have to relax and let the game come to us.”

Kansas State presents problems offensively with running back DJ Giddens (32 carries, 238 yards) and talented backup Dylan Edwards, a transfer from Colorado who is averaging 10.8 yards on his nine carries. Giddens is the team’s leading pass-catcher with seven receptions for 69 yards and a touchdown.

Quarterback Avery Johnson has yet to be fully unleashed as a runner this season, with 77 yards on 11 attempts. He has completed 29 of 44 passes for 334 yards with four touchdowns and one interception.

Klieman said he has been impressed with Johnson’s ability to extend plays while keeping his eyes downfield and not just taking off running.

“He’s evolving,” Klieman said. “I think he got better and better, and I think he’s getting more and more comfortable as a quarterback by playing every down. … I’m excited because the kid’s a competitor, he’s a winner.”

Brennan’s team struggled to contain dual-threat New Mexico quarterback Devon Dampier in the opener. Regarding Johnson, Brennan said, “He’s ridiculously explosive.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 2, 2023; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Colorado Buffaloes running back Dylan Edwards (3) celebrates with fans after the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Colorado RB Dylan Edwards transferring to Kansas State

Freshman running back Dylan Edwards is transferring from Colorado to Kansas State, according to multiple media reports.

Edwards posted a photo of himself wearing a Kansas State uniform on his X (formerly Twitter) account. The Derby, Kan., native had committed in high school to Kansas State and Notre Dame before signing with Colorado.

He was the Buffaloes’ leading rusher with 76 carries for 321 yards and one touchdown, and fourth-leading receiver with 36 catches for 299 yards and four TDs.

The 5-foot-9, 170-pounder made a big debut, rushing for one touchdown and catching three more in the Buffaloes’ 45-42 upset of then-No. 17 TCU in the season opener. He was the Pac-12 Freshman of the Week.

He started the first four games and two others in playing in all 12 games for the Buffaloes (4-8).

–Field Level Media

Nov 18, 2023; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats safety Marques Sigle (21) celebrates with linebacker Desmond Purnell (32) and cornerback Keenan Garber (1) after an interception during the second half against the Kansas Jayhawks at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

No. 19 Kansas State keeps high hopes in clash vs. Iowa State

No. 19 Kansas State enters the final week of the regular season with a chance to defend its Big 12 championship.

If certain results pan out in other games, the Wildcats just need to defeat visiting Iowa State on Saturday night in Manhattan to qualify for the conference championship game Dec. 2 in Arlington, Texas.

Kansas State (8-3, 6-2) is looking for a perfect 7-0 home record this season. The Wildcats are riding high after overcoming an 11-point deficit in the second half to post a 31-27 victory over Kansas last Saturday.

“There is no better feeling than beating little brother,” Kansas State quarterback Will Howard said after the game.

But now it’s on to the next game. How will the outside noise of postseason possibilities affect the Wildcats?

“We don’t pay any attention to it,” coach Chris Klieman said at his media gathering Tuesday. “We’ve navigated it really well the last two weeks when everybody was trying to stuff it down our throats. And all our kids did was go out and play and win games.

“I know the way Matt (Campbell) coaches. I know the way Matt develops guys. They never beat themselves. They’re sound in what they do. They’re really good on special teams. They don’t give the ball away (but) they take it away. They make you earn everything.

“This is gonna be a physical game. These two teams are two of the more physical teams in the league.”

The Cyclones have won three of the past five games against the Wildcats, including 33-20 the last time the game was played in Manhattan.

Howard is playing well in recent games. He threw for two touchdowns and rushed for another in the fourth quarter that put his team in the lead for good. Howard sprinted 15 yards to his left for the go-ahead touchdown with 10:22 remaining.

Iowa State (6-5, 5-3) likely lost its chance to play in the title game with a 26-16 defeat to Texas on Saturday.

The good news for the Cyclones was that Rocco Becht passed for 323 yards and two touchdowns to break two of Brock Purdy’s freshman school records. Becht raised his season totals to 2,444 yards, surpassing the 2,250 yards by Purdy, now the starter for the San Francisco 49ers. Becht also now has 17 touchdowns, one more than Purdy in 2018. Becht was 24-of-32 with one interception against the Longhorns.

“For the first 3 1/2 quarters, I thought Rocco played a really good football game,” Campbell said after the game. “At the end of the game we got ourselves in some two-minute situations and (Texas) could kind of tee off on us, and they did. They’ve got some elite players who got some good pressure.”

The Cyclones are in a three-way tie for fifth place. They are among eight conference teams already qualified for the postseason. Three other teams are one win away from qualifying.

–Field Level Media