Kansas State football has demonstrated under coach Chris Klieman the ability to bounce back after a disappointing performance, and this was evident in their recent game against No. 25 Oklahoma State. The Wildcats triumphed with a decisive 42-20 victory in their Big 12 home opener at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
With this win, Kansas State improved to 4-1 overall and 1-1 in the Big 12, while Oklahoma State dropped to 3-2 and 0-2 in conference play.
Quarterback Avery Johnson, who had struggled in the previous week against Brigham Young, showcased his talent by accounting for five touchdowns—two rushing and three passing. He threw for 259 yards and added 60 yards on the ground. Running back DJ Giddens had an impressive game as well, rushing for 187 yards, including a 66-yard touchdown. Jadon Jackson contributed five receptions for 55 yards, while Jayce Brown caught four passes for 78 yards and a touchdown.
The Wildcats amassed a total of 559 yards of offense compared to Oklahoma State’s 490. The Cowboys struggled to convert opportunities, often settling for field goals in the first half. Additionally, Kansas State’s Jacob Parrish intercepted a pass in the end zone after halftime, thwarting an Oklahoma State scoring opportunity.
Kansas State has a bye week coming up before facing Colorado on October 12.
In the game, as Kansas State built their lead, Avery Johnson extended the advantage with a 13-yard touchdown run, bringing the score to 42-13 with 11:26 left in the game. Earlier, Johnson also connected with freshman tight end Will Anciaux for a 2-yard touchdown.
The Wildcats excelled in the first half, turning previous negative trends around to achieve a 21-13 lead against Oklahoma State. They scored three touchdowns during the half, a marked improvement from their last game where they settled for field goals. The defense also performed well, limiting Oklahoma State to three field goal attempts and forcing a turnover that set up a touchdown.
Throughout the game, Kansas State displayed a balanced offensive attack and a resilient defense, enabling them to secure a convincing win over the Cowboys.