Kansas State football faced a challenging matchup against Tulane, trailing by 10 points at halftime. However, the Wildcats staged a remarkable comeback to secure a 34-27 victory at Yulman Stadium in New Orleans on Saturday.
This win marked a redemption for K-State, who had previously lost to Tulane 17-10 two years ago in Manhattan.
In the fourth quarter, the Wildcats managed to force two critical turnovers, both of which had major implications for the game. The first turnover resulted in a touchdown, while the other prevented Tulane from scoring when it mattered most.
With Tulane pressuring in the red zone early in the fourth quarter, Austin Romaine sacked quarterback Darian Mensah, leading to Jack Fabris picking up the loose ball and returning it 60 yards for a touchdown with 11:10 remaining. This play granted the Wildcats their first lead since being up 3-0 at the start of the game.
As the clock wound down, Tulane appeared poised to tie the game with a last-minute touchdown. Mensah connected with Yulkeith Brown for a 1-yard score, but the play was negated due to an offensive interference penalty. Forced back to the K-State 16 on second down, VJ Payne intercepted Mensah’s pass in the end zone, allowing the Wildcats to run out the remaining seconds and seal their victory.
Avery Johnson rebounded from a slow start to complete 15 of 23 passes for 181 yards and two touchdowns for K-State. DJ Giddens added a significant contribution with 118 rushing yards. The Wildcats finished the game with 369 total yards compared to Tulane’s 491.
On the opposing side, Mensah had an impressive outing, passing for 342 yards and two touchdowns, while Makhi Hughes contributed with 131 rushing yards.
The game featured numerous pivotal moments, including K-State’s first turnover of the season, a crucial defensive stand that resulted in a touchdown, and a tying touchdown from the Wildcats to bring the score to 27-27 with 11:20 left in the game.
K-State’s defense was a standout in the second half, managing to halt Tulane’s offensive momentum with key stops and forcing them to punt. After initially trailing at halftime, the Wildcats showed resilience and determination to turn the game in their favor.
The final score underscored K-State’s successful comeback, with the Wildcats winning 34-27, thanks to their late-game heroics and defensive efforts.