Kansas State’s defense played a crucial role in the Wildcats’ first of back-to-back road games when they went to Stillwater, Okla., matching up against the Oklahoma State Cowboys. It was the Wildcats’ first win in Boone Pickens Stadium since 2017.
“I’m going to enjoy the heck out of this because we won in Stillwater,” K-State head coach Chris Klieman said. “We’d been here in 2019, 2021 and 2023, and just got drilled.”
It was a quiet first quarter in Stillwater, other than a made 47-yard field goal by the Cowboys. Continuing their momentum into the second quarter, Oklahoma State would further their lead 6-0 by making another 47-yard field goal. With those two field goals, that would end the Cowboys’ scoring for the remainder of the game.
In the middle of the second quarter, the Cowboys’ quarterback Zane Flores threw a deep pass up the middle, which was broken up by Ryan Davis and intercepted by Zashon Rich. There was no turning back after the Wildcats gained possession.
The Wildcats would come back to seal the deal, despite the disappointment of a dropped pass and a possible touchdown. Avery Johnson would find Jayce Brown up the middle for a 34-yard passing touchdown and put the Wildcats up 7-6 with 7:07 remaining before the break.
Johnson finished 15 of 28 passes for 177 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. In the first half, Brown caught three passes for 82 yards and one touchdown; however, he wore a shoulder sling in the second half.
“We’ll find out (Brown’s status),” Klieman said. “It didn’t look very good, so we’ll find out about his prognosis.”
With 1:51 left in the first half, the Cowboys’ Logan Ward attempted a 55-yard field goal but was unsuccessful. The Wildcats attempted to capitalize on a missed scoring opportunity, but they were unable to.
The Wildcats’ next drive was looking hopeful as Johnson threw back-to-back receptions. With a deep pass up the middle, Johnson found Jayce Brown for a 30-yard reception even though he was surrounded by a pack of Cowboys. Making himself available, Garrett Oakley caught an 11-yard pass to advance K-State to the OSU 20-yard line. Klieman would take a timeout with 34 seconds remaining before halftime, but plays were not executed, leaving passes incomplete. The Cowboys would force Luis Rodriguez into attempting a 38-yard field goal, but it would be too far to the right.
Despite missing the field goal, K-State would exit the break while having a one-point advantage.
“We weathered the storm on it,” Klieman said. “We played a very hesitant first half and somehow led 7-6. That gave us a little bit of life.”
The Wildcats didn’t have the focus needed when coming back out against a high-energy Cowboys team. Johnson threw an interception intended for Garrett Oakley, but it was picked off by Oklahoma State’s Parker Robertson at the K-State 36-yard line.
“We knew Oklahoma State was going to give us their best shot and having the week off probably refreshed those guys,” Klieman said. “I knew it was going to be a battle in here.”
The Cowboys were able to get into the 10-yard line, but were shut down quickly when Cody Stufflebean forced a fumble from Flores and a loss of two yards. The ball was recovered by Damian Ilalio at the K-State 11-yard line.
K-State’s defense wasn’t quite ready to call it a game, though. Ryan Davis had a sack-fumble and Rex Van Wyhe recovered the ball at the K-State 30.
“Ryan played his best game he’s had, and we needed that,” Klieman said. “He’d missed so much time in fall camp. He’s coming into his own and his groove the last few weeks. He’s playing his best football now, and we needed him to.”
Adding to the momentum of the sack-fumble, the Wildcats made their most successful drive throughout the game.
With 12:31 left in the fourth quarter, Joe Jackson rushed 15 yards up the middle for a touchdown and a 14-6 lead after Johnson directed a 10-play, 70-yard drive that included a fourth-and-6 pass to Garrett Oakley for eight yards to the Oklahoma State 32.
“We played really well on defense and forced a bunch of turnovers and didn’t panic on defense,” Klieman said. “That’s what I was impressed about. They’d move the ball, and we’d have a turnover, and they’d have a drive going, and we’d just step up. Our defensive line really played well. We rushed the passer well. We still have to do a few things better on defense with some tackling, but we kept them out of the end zone. That was a huge key.”
While the Cowboys tried to get some energy going late in the fourth quarter, but were quickly halted when Daniel Cobbs intercepted Trent Howland on a deep pass at the K-State five-yard line. With this play, the Wildcats would seal their victory by regaining possession, letting the game clock run, and having Johnson kneel.
“I’m enjoying the heck out of this one,” Klieman said. “We found way. I’m not going to apologize for a win.”
