Kansas State football gave up the lead late, only to come back with a game-winning drive and score with 2 minutes, 14 left for a 31-28 victory over Colorado on Saturday night at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado.
With the win, the No. 19-ranked Wildcats improved to 5-1 overall and 2-1 in the Big 12, while Colorado fell to 4-2 and 2-1. K-State goes on the road next Saturday to face West Virginia.
Here is how the Wildcats graded out against Colorado:
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Avery Johnson shook off an injury and an untimely interception late in the fourth quarter to hit Jayce Brown with a winning 50-yard touchdown pass while DJ Giddens shredded Colorado’s defense for 182 yards. The Wildcats had great balance with 423 total yards, including 185 rushing and 224 through the air.
Grade: A-
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders was as good as advertised, throwing for 388 yards and three touchdowns, but the Wildcats stopped the Buffaloes when it counted most. They turned Colorado over on downs to protect the lead, had a VJ Payne interception near the end zone, and sacked Sanders six times and held the Buffs to minus-29 yards rushing.
Grade: A-
With the offensive and defensive heroics at the end it is easy to forget that the difference in the game was a 48-yard Chris Tennant field goal. And that field goal was set up by a 34-yard DeVon Rice kickoff return.
Grade: B+
The Wildcats have not been good on the road of late, or coming off bye weeks, but the coaches pushed the right buttons against Colorado. The fact that they saved their biggest plays for the end when things looked bleakest speaks volumes.
Grade: A
Arne Green is based in Salina and covers Kansas State University sports for the Gannett network. He can be reached at agreen@gannett.com or on Twitter at @arnegreen.
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