The morning sun shone brightly as it rose, illuminating the stands and field of Bill Snyder Family Stadium. That wasn’t the only thing that was illuminating in today’s matchup between the Kansas State Wildcats and the UCF Knights.
As the Wildcats came off a bye week and a loss against Arizona the week before, the team was ready to return home and take care of some unfinished business. K-State revealed its true teamwork and camaraderie in a 34-20 win over the Knights.
“I think we showed that adversity hit this year,” senior safety Gunner Maldanado said. “When things don’t go our way, we can come back and answer because we had a defense that had a couple plays that shouldn’t happen, but we can bounce back from it.”
Shining bright through athleticism and leadership were quarterback Avery Johnson and running back Dylan Edwards.
“We’re a different team when Dylan Edwards plays,” K-State head coach Chris Klieman said. “Dylan makes some things right if it’s not right. And he was obviously the spark we needed. Truth be told, we needed that spark.”
Edwards had 166 rushing yards, along with one touchdown on the day. With 1:50 left in the third quarter, he ran swiftly, making a 75-yard touchdown and extending the Wildcats’ lead 31-10.
Johnson also managed to get his footing beneath him, recording both rushing and passing yards. Johnson ran for 75 yards on 12 carries and threw 18-of-25 for 168 yards with two touchdowns.
“Avery’s a really special athlete,” Klieman said. “Sometimes we gotta say, roll and go just like Dylan. “When those two are running, we can be a much better team.”
The running game was effective, especially during the first half; K-State overtook UCF, 158 to 31 in rushing yards.
“We ran the ball pretty well,” tight end Will Swanson said. “I think that our preparation during the bye week in the last week of practice by running the ball, getting us in a rhythm and everything, helped out.”
Other spotlight individuals include Jaron Tibbs, who had eight receptions for 72 yards and Garrett Oakley, with two catches for 36 yards.
After not knowing the identity of his team after the Arizona game, Klieman was pumped about their performance and energy against the Knights.
“Our guys played with a ton of emotion and energy today,” Klieman said. “I hope people in the stands, and I hope people watched and noticed that, the one thing that’s a non-negotiable for me is, you’re going to celebrate good plays.”
Despite the Wildcats’ energetic demeanor during pregame, their start was less desirable than hoped.
During the first dive, Linkon Cure’s pass intended for tight end Will Anciaux was intercepted by UCF, ending the Wildcats possession.
K-State truly made its start in the second quarter. Kicker Luis Rodriguez put the ‘Cats on the board first with a 38-yard field goal.
With 7:27 left in the second, Maldonado intercepted a pass at the UCF 38-yard line, intended for the Knights Jacurri Brown.
“I think a turnover is always an energy boost.” Maldonado said. “I think, me being a guy that’s coming back, I think maybe a little added on us.”
With 4:42 left before halftime, Dylan Edwards rushed the ball for a 4-yard touchdown, but the play was canceled out by a 10-yard holding penalty against the Wildcats.
Then Johnson ran the ball 13 yards, which was ruled out of bounds after the play. The decision was reversed following an official review and the Wildcats found possession of the ball at the UCF 1-yard line. Joe Jackson finished the play with a 1-yard touchdown after Johnson’s rush. The Wildcats led 10-0.
Under three minutes in the second quarter, UCF quarterback Jacurri Brown’s pass deep to DJ Black is complete for an 82-yard touchdown. The point after touchdown is good by kicker Noe Ruelas. The Knights trail 10-7.
Right before halftime, Anciaux receives a 3-yard passing touchdown from Johnson, putting the Wildcats up 17-7 for halftime.
“We were flowing, we were rolling, and Coach (Matt) Wells made some really good calls there,” Johnson said. “I knew where I wanted to go with the ball. When everybody plays together as one, we’re really hard to stop.”
In the middle of the third quarter, Johnson makes a passing touchdown to Garrett Oakley with an extra point conversion cleared by Luis Rodriguez to extend the Wildcats’ lead 24-7
After a UCF fumble, K-State’s cornerback Justice Clemons recovered the ball. So far this season, this was UCF’s first failed attempt on fourth down.
Trying to keep up with the Wildcats, UCF made a 53-yard field goal, trailing 24-10.
Only 1:50 remaining in the third, Edwards made a 75-yard run while also scoring the longest touchdown of his career. Then UCF responded with a 54-yard rushing touchdown by Jaden Nixon, closing the score to 31-17.
The Knights attempted a score in the middle of the fourth quarter but were unsuccessful due to penalties. Instead, Ruelas cleared a 40-yard field goal to bring the score closer to the Wildcat 31–20.
K-State would complete its scoring burst with a 34–20 victory, after a 48-yard field goal by Luis Rodriguez and an interception by safety Qua Moss.
“First of all, it feels good to get a win,” Swanson said. “Second of all, the energy that we had as a team on the sidelines– I think that’s what separates us from how we’ve been playing in the past, and it’s, without a doubt, our energy.”
