In a thrilling Big 12 matchup under the lights at Folsom Field, No. 18 Kansas State edged out the Colorado Buffaloes 31-28 on Saturday night. Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson showcased resilience, bouncing back from a late interception to connect with Jayce Brown on a 50-yard touchdown pass with just over two minutes remaining. This decisive score helped the Wildcats escape with a victory in a game that saw momentum shift multiple times.
The win lifts Kansas State to a 5-1 overall record and 2-1 in the Big 12, while the Buffaloes fell to 4-2, snapping a three-game winning streak and moving to 2-1 in conference play.
Avery Johnson’s dual-threat capabilities were on full display throughout the night. He finished the game with two passing touchdowns—both to Jayce Brown—and added a rushing score. However, the game nearly slipped away when Johnson’s tipped pass was intercepted by Colorado’s Colton Hood, who returned it 59 yards deep into Kansas State territory. The turnover set up a go-ahead 11-yard touchdown pass from Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders to LaJohntay Wester, giving the Buffaloes a 28-24 lead with just 3:12 left on the clock.
Unfazed by the setback, Johnson quickly orchestrated a response. The Wildcats needed only three plays to regain the lead, with Johnson finding Brown for the 50-yard strike that ultimately sealed the win.
After taking the lead, Kansas State’s defense stepped up in the game’s final moments, forcing a turnover on downs to thwart Colorado’s last-ditch drive. The Wildcats’ defensive stand preserved the narrow win, ensuring their hold on a top-20 ranking and keeping their Big 12 title hopes alive.
The defensive unit, led by a strong performance against the run, outmatched Colorado’s ground game, holding the Buffaloes to minus-29 rushing yards. Kansas State, by contrast, racked up 185 yards on the ground, with running back DJ Giddens leading the way. Giddens finished with 182 rushing yards, becoming the first tailback this season to eclipse the 100-yard mark against Colorado’s defense.
The game held special significance for Wildcats running back Dylan Edwards, who transferred from Colorado to Kansas State after last season. Edwards made a notable impact in his return to Folsom Field, scoring a 1-yard touchdown run that extended the Wildcats’ lead to 21-7 in the third quarter.
Colorado’s valiant comeback attempt was overshadowed by a spate of injuries to key players. Two-way star Travis Hunter, a vital part of the Buffaloes’ lineup, exited in the second quarter after a collision with Kansas State safety Daniel Cobbs left him nursing an apparent shoulder injury. Hunter’s absence left a significant gap in Colorado’s secondary, which proved crucial as Johnson and Brown capitalized on the depleted defense.
The Buffaloes’ receiving corps also took hits, with Jimmy Horn Jr., Omarion Miller, and Terrell Timmons Jr. all leaving the game due to injuries. Despite these challenges, Shedeur Sanders delivered a standout performance, completing 34 of 40 passes for 388 yards and three touchdowns. Sanders set a school record with 16 consecutive completions and nearly extended that streak to 17, but a dropped pass by Will Sheppard ended the run.
Sheppard later redeemed himself with a difficult 7-yard touchdown grab that cut Kansas State’s lead to 21-14 in the third quarter, helping to fuel Colorado’s rally.
For Kansas State, the victory keeps them in the hunt in the Big 12, with Johnson’s ability to rebound from adversity and the team’s defensive fortitude serving as key takeaways. The Wildcats will look to build on this momentum as they continue their push through the conference schedule.
Meanwhile, Colorado will need to regroup and assess the health of their key players, including Hunter. The loss of their playmakers was a significant factor in the tight defeat, and the Buffaloes will aim to return to full strength as they seek to stay competitive in the Big 12.
The dramatic finish in Boulder highlighted the intensity of conference play, as Kansas State and Colorado battled until the final whistle. While the Buffaloes came up just short, both teams demonstrated the grit and determination that has made the Big 12 race one to watch this season.