Wildcats Win For First Time Since 2017 in Stillwater, 14-6

The K-State and OSU linemen crouch down preparing to hike the ball. Courtesy: Zoe Taylor

The K-State cheer team high fives fans in the crowd. Courtesy: Zoe Taylor

Avery Johnson runs the ball past OSU defenders. Courtesy: Zoe Taylor

Joe Jackson high fives fans who are leaning over the railing. Courtesy: Zoe Taylor

Avery Johnson prepares to throw the ball. Courtesy: Zoe Taylor

K-State special teamskicks off the ball at the beginning of the game. Courtesy: Zoe Taylor

Avery Johnson runs the ball past OSU defenders. Courtesy: Zoe Taylor

Kansas State came into this matchup with a bye week, and sitting at a 4-5 and 3-3 record in the

Big 12, while the Oklahoma State Cowboys were 1-8 on the season and winless in the

conference so far. With the offense not clicking throughout the game, the help of a strong

defensive effort from the Wildcats backed by 5 turnovers forced, helped propel a grinded out win for the Cats 14-6.

First Quarter

Both teams started their opening drives with 3 and outs. The Cowboys got on the board first on

their second drive of the game with a couple good runs from quarterback Zane Flores and

ending with a 47-yard field goal with 8:37 left in the quarter. The rest of the quarter resulted in all

punts for both teams.

Second Quarter

Early in the second quarter, the Cowboys put another field goal on the board to extend their lead 6-0. Kansas State finally got on the board after an interception by the Cowboys, which resulted in quarterback Avery Johnson completing a pass to wide receiver Jayce Brown in the middle of the field and proceeding to break a couple tackles and complete a 34 yard touchdown pass. That would be the last score for either team as both respective field goal kickers missed field goals and the Cats and Cowboys went to their locker rooms with the Cowboys leading 7-6.

Third Quarter

The Wildcats came out of the locker room starting with the ball and on the first drive Johnson threw an interception that set up the Cowboys on the K-State 29 yard line. Defensive end Cody Stufflebean on the ensuing Cowboys drive came up with a huge forced fumble on Flores. After a Wildcats punt on the next drive, K-State also came up with another big play after yet again forcing a fumble from defensive end Ryan Davis at the end of the quarter.

Fourth Quarter

Early in the quarter, after a dry offensive performance from the Cats, they got on the board with a 4th down and 1 run into the endzone by running back Joe Jackson to put them up 14-6. K-State sealed the game with an interception midway through the fourth quarter and a turnover on downs on the last play for the Cowboys to give the Wildcats their first win in Stillwater since 2017.

What’s Next

Kansas State improved to 5-5 on the season, 4-3 in the Big 12, and most importantly, kept their

bowl game chances alive with two games left in the season. The Cowboys fell to 1-9 on the

season and still are without a conference win dating back to November 25th, 2023. The

Wildcats will play in Salt Lake City next Saturday against the #13 Utah Utes. They will then

finish their regular season at home on Senior Day against the Colorado Buffaloes the following

Saturday.

Oklahoma State will face UCF in Orlando next Saturday and wrap up their regular season at

home against Iowa State, as they will still be hunting in their final 2 games for their first Big 12

win this season.