The Wildcats finished the 2023 regular season 9–4 and 6–3 in Big 12 play. They earned a berth in the 2023 Pop-Tarts Bowl, where they defeated the NC State Wolfpack, 28-19.
The No. 18 Kansas State Wildcats opened their 2024 season with a 41-6 victory over UT Martin at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Quarterback Avery Johnson led the Wildcats by throwing two touchdown passes--including a 23-yard connection with Brayden Loftin--finishing with 153 passing yards. The Wildcats’ defense held the Skyhawks throughout the game and allowing only 134 total yards while recording four sacks. Kansas State's special teams also made a significant impact, highlighted by a blocked punt by Ty Bowman that resulted in a touchdown recovery by Colby McCalister.[4]
The Wildcats' defense remained strong, limiting UT Martin's rushing attack to just 36 yards on 38 carries. The win marked a solid start for the Wildcats, demonstrating balanced contributions from offense, defense, and special teams. Coach Chris Kleiman emphasized the need to improve despite the convincing win, pointing to a challenging road game against Tulane next week.[5]
In what was called hard-fought road game, the No. 17 Kansas State Wildcats pulled off a 34-27 victory over Tulane, securing their second win of the 2024 season. Kansas State’s defense made critical plays in the fourth quarter. Safety Jack Fabris returned a Tulane fumble 60 yards for a go-ahead touchdown.[7]
Darian Mensah's sharp passing helped Tulane build an early lead, finding Dontae Fleming for a 53-yard completion to set up a touchdown and connecting with Alex Bauman for a 36-yard score.[8]
On offense for Kansas State, Avery Johnson threw two touchdown passes. DJ Giddens continued his strong season with 114 rushing yards and a 45-yard touchdown catch on fourth down.[7]
Tulane led for much of the game. Major impact came by Darian Mensah's 342-yard, two-touchdown performance and supported by key plays from receiver Mario Williams and running back Makhi Hughes.[9]
Tulane's offense did not continue the same performance during the second half, allowing Kansas State to mount a comeback. Kansas State's DJ Giddens played a pivotal role in the rally by rushing for 118 yards and catching a 45-yard touchdown on fourth down to tie the game. Tulane's final opportunity to tie the game was undone by an offensive pass interference penalty that nullified a touchdown with 17 seconds remaining.[8] Two plays later, VJ Payne’s interception in the end zone sealed the win for the Wildcats in the final seconds.[7]
The next day's college football rankings put Kansas State at #14 in the AP Top 25 and #15 in the AFCA Coaches Poll. Tulane remained unranked.[10]
The No. 14 Kansas State Wildcats handed No. 20 Arizona its first loss of the season, winning 31-7 in Manhattan, Kansas. Arizona opened the game with a 14-play, 73-yard drive, capped off by Quali Conley's 1-yard touchdown run to take an early 7-0 lead. However, Kansas State responded with a methodical 15-play drive of their own, tying the game with a 3-yard touchdown catch by tight end Will Swanson. From there, Kansas State took control, with a 79-yard punt return touchdown by Dylan Edwards giving them a 14-7 lead in the second quarter, and they never looked back.[11]
Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson threw for 156 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 110 yards. Kansas State dominated on the ground, accumulating 235 rushing yards, the most Arizona had allowed since 2022. Arizona's offense struggled after their opening drive, gaining just 137 yards in the second half and failing to score again. Quarterback Noah Fifita threw for 268 yards but was intercepted once and failed to throw a touchdown pass for the first time in over two years. Penalties and special teams errors plagued Arizona throughout the game, stalling drives and giving Kansas State advantageous field positions.[12]
Arizona struggled to establish a consistent running game, managing only 56 rushing yards, their lowest total of the season. Kansas State extended their lead with a 9-yard touchdown catch by Brayden Loftin in the third quarter and a 1-yard run by DJ Giddens, capping off back-to-back 80-yard drives to put the game out of reach. Kansas State's defense held strong, preventing Arizona from scoring on their final three possessions and forcing two turnovers on downs in the fourth quarter.[13]
BYU upset No. 13 Kansas State 38-9 at LaVell Edwards Stadium, handing the Wildcats their first loss of the season. After Kansas State jumped out to a 6-0 lead with two Chris Tennant field goals, BYU took control in the second quarter and never looked back. The turning point came late in the first half when BYU’s defense forced two turnovers in quick succession. The first was a fumble recovered by freshman Tommy Prassas, who returned it 30 yards for a touchdown. Two plays later, defensive lineman Tyler Batty intercepted a screen pass that set up a 23-yard touchdown pass from Jake Retzlaff to Chase Roberts. BYU wrapped up a 17-6 halftime lead.[14]
In the second half, BYU took advantage of another Kansas State turnover when Harrison Taggart intercepted Avery Johnson to set up a 3-yard touchdown pass from Retzlaff to Darius Lassiter. Parker Kingston then delivered a 90-yard punt return touchdown to extend BYU’s lead to 31-6 in the third quarter.[15]
Kansas State’s offense struggled to execute in key moments. Quarterback Avery Johnson threw two interceptions and was sacked multiple times, while BYU's defensive pressure consistently disrupted the Wildcats’ rhythm. BYU running back Sione I. Moa also had a standout game, rushing for 76 yards and a touchdown. The win marked BYU’s first major Big 12 victory and highlighted their defensive strength, as they held Kansas State without a touchdown for the first time since 2020.[16]
No. 23 Kansas State managed a 42-20 victory over higher-ranked No. 20 Oklahoma State in Manhattan, Kansas. Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson accounted for five total touchdowns, passing for three and rushing for two, as the Wildcats overcame an early deficit to score 35 consecutive points. Johnson threw for 259 yards and rushed for another 60 while running back DJ Giddens led the ground attack with 187 rushing yards--including a 66-yard touchdown run early in the second half.[17]
Oklahoma State started strong by taking a 10-7 lead with a 77-yard flea-flicker touchdown pass from Alan Bowman to De'Zhaun Stribling. However, costly mistakes derailed the Cowboys' momentum. After a second-quarter interception by Korie Black, Oklahoma State’s offense failed to capitalize, leading to a missed opportunity. Kansas State quickly regained control with big plays, including a 37-yard run and a touchdown following a horsecollar penalty.[18]
Kansas State's defense forced three turnovers and limited running back Ollie Gordon II after a strong start. After the game was over, many considered the Kansas State victory to be pivotal in the Big 12 Championship race and predict the win to give them a crucial tiebreaker over a key conference opponent.[19]
In a back-and-forth game, No. 18 Kansas State narrowly defeated Colorado 31-28 at Folsom Field. Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson orchestrated an 84-yard drive in just three plays, culminating in a 50-yard touchdown pass to Jayce Brown with 2:14 left on the clock. Johnson finished with two passing touchdowns, both to Brown, and added a rushing touchdown. Kansas State’s DJ Giddens led a strong ground game, rushing for 182 yards and becoming the first player this season to rush for over 100 yards against Colorado’s defense.[20]
The Wildcats led 21-7 in the third quarter. Colorado mounted a comeback behind quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who threw for 388 yards and three touchdowns. Sanders connected with LaJohntay Wester for an 11-yard touchdown late in the game, giving Colorado a brief 28-24 lead. Moments before, Colorado had capitalized on a tipped interception returned 59 yards by cornerback Colton Hood (filling in for injured star Travis Hunter). Kansas State responded with Johnson's game-winning touchdown to reclaim the lead. Kansas State’s defense then held on Colorado’s final possession, stopping the Buffaloes on downs. [21]
Injuries were a concern for Colorado, with Travis Hunter leaving due to a shoulder injury and several other key players missing time. Kansas State’s win marked a strong rebound following a challenging game against Oklahoma State, keeping them competitive in the Big 12 race.[22]
No. 17 Kansas State secured a 45-18 victory over West Virginia at Milan Puskar Stadium, led by a career-best passing performance from sophomore quarterback Avery Johnson. Johnson threw for 298 yards and three touchdowns, with key scoring passes to Jadon Jackson, Garrett Oakley, and Will Anciaux. Kansas State’s defense also contributed significantly, as senior safety Marques Sigle returned an interception 43 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter, helping the Wildcats build an early 17-3 lead.[23]
West Virginia struggled on offense, particularly after starting quarterback Garrett Greene left the game due to injury in the second quarter. Before his departure, Greene threw a touchdown pass to Hudson Clement and cut Kansas State’s lead to 17-10. However, the Mountaineers were unable to keep pace in the second half, and backup quarterback Nicco Marciol managed only one late touchdown in relief.[24]
Kansas State’s defense limited West Virginia to 143 passing yards and forced two interceptions. One interception was returned for a touchdown.[25]
Kansas State’s DJ Giddens sealed the win with a 1-yard touchdown run, following up on a 53-yard catch that set up another Wildcats score earlier in the game.[24] With the win, Kansas State improved to 6-1 overall and 3-1 in Big 12 play, keeping pace with the conference leaders. The Wildcats will face in-state rival Kansas in their next matchup.[25]
The 2024 edition of the Sunflower Showdown between Kansas State and Kansas will take place at Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan, Kansas, on October 26, 2024--scheduled for a primetime 7 p.m. kickoff and broadcast on ESPN2.[26] Kansas holds the all-time series advantage at 65-51-5, but Kansas State has won the last 15 meetings dating back to 2009. Kansas has only managed one win in Manhattan since 1990.[27]
Kansas State, ranked No. 17, enters the game with a 6-1 record and is tied for third place in the Big 12 standings.[28] The Wildcats are coming off a decisive 45-18 win over West Virginia.[29] Meanwhile, Kansas (2-5, 1-3 Big 12) snapped a five-game losing streak with a 42-14 victory over Houston in their last game.[30]
Kansas State has dominated the rivalry in recent years, but the Jayhawks will be motivated to end their losing streak and secure a major win on the road.[31]
Game summary
The Kansas State Wildcats extended their dominance in the Sunflower Showdown with a close 29-27 victory over the Kansas Jayhawks for their 16th consecutive win in the rivalry.[32] The game featured back-and-forth action, with both teams seizing leads, only for Kansas State to ultimately pull ahead in the final moments.[33]
Kansas struck first with a 38-yard touchdown run by Sevion Morris on their opening drive.[34] Kansas State responded in the second quarter, with Avery Johnson connecting on a 24-yard touchdown pass to Will Anciaux. A subsequent safety and another touchdown pass gave K-State a 16-7 lead, only for Kansas to close the gap just before halftime, making it 16-14.[33]
In the third quarter, K-State initially extending their lead to 23-14 on a 10-yard Johnson rushing touchdown. Kansas quickly answered with a 24-yard rushing touchdown by Devin Neal, though they missed the extra point, trailing 23-20.[35] The Jayhawks later claimed a 27-23 lead on an 8-yard touchdown run by Jalon Daniels.
With under two minutes remaining, Kansas State took advantage of a fumble by Daniels to set up a 51-yard field goal from Chris Tennant, regaining the lead 29-27. Kansas had one final drive but fell short, securing the Wildcats' win.[33]
^Although both Kansas State and Arizona are in the Big 12, this game did not count in the conference standings due to the game being scheduled before Arizona joined the Big 12.
.jpg)