Kansas State football delivered a crucial performance in the final moments, scoring a quick touchdown to regain the lead with just over two minutes remaining and then stopping Colorado on defense to secure a thrilling 31-28 victory on Saturday night at Folsom Field in Boulder.
Quarterback Avery Johnson, who threw an interception in the fourth quarter that allowed Colorado to take its first lead, quickly redeemed himself by leading the winning drive. He connected with DJ Giddens for a 34-yard gain and then found Jayce Brown for a 50-yard touchdown pass with 2:14 left.
The Wildcats’ defense subsequently forced Colorado to turn the ball over on downs, allowing Johnson to run out the clock in victory formation.
Ranked No. 19, K-State improved to 5-1 overall and 2-1 in the Big 12, while Colorado’s record fell to 4-2 and 2-1.
K-State recorded a total of 423 yards in offense, with Johnson completing 15 of 23 passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns, while Giddens rushed for 182 yards on 25 attempts. Colorado managed 359 total yards, with quarterback Shedeur Sanders completing 34 of 40 passes for 388 yards, but the Buffs struggled with their rushing game, finishing with minus-29 yards partly due to six sacks by K-State.
The game saw momentum swings from both teams as Kansas State responded to Colorado’s scoring attempts with significant plays, including a late fourth-down stop by cornerback Keenan Garber, which sealed the victory for the Wildcats.
In a game filled with big plays and crucial moments, K-State showcased resilience in a tightly contested matchup.