In a thrilling Big 12 road matchup, Kansas State football rallied from behind to secure a hard-fought 31-28 triumph over Colorado at Folsom Field. Led by an impressive performance from running back DJ Giddens, the Wildcats overcame a 14-point deficit to snatch victory from the Buffaloes.
Kansas State football faced a daunting task on Saturday as they traveled to Folsom Field to take on the Colorado Buffaloes in a crucial Big 12 battle. The Wildcats entered the game aiming to secure their first road victory of the conference season and extend their winning streak to three games.
Wildcats Steal Victory in Boulder, Prevail 31-28 Over Colorado
The Wildcats got off to a slow start, allowing Colorado to quickly build a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. The Buffaloes capitalized on a Kansas State fumble and a long touchdown pass to seize the early advantage. However, the Wildcats remained resilient and refused to let the adversity derail their hopes.
Led by running back DJ Giddens, Kansas State gradually chipped away at Colorado's lead. Giddens rushed for a pair of touchdowns in the second quarter, including a 75-yard scamper that electrified the crowd and brought the Wildcats within striking distance at the half.
The Wildcats continued to apply pressure on Colorado in the second half. Quarterback Adrian Martinez connected with wide receiver Malik Knowles for a crucial touchdown pass, and Giddens added another rushing score to give Kansas State its first lead of the game.
The Buffaloes fought valiantly to regain the advantage, but the Wildcats defense held strong in the closing moments. With time running out, Colorado faced a fourth-and-goal at the Kansas State 1-yard line. The Wildcats defense stood tall, stuffing Colorado's running play and sealing the thrilling victory.
Giddens emerged as the star of the game for Kansas State, rushing for a career-high 206 yards and three touchdowns. Martinez added 168 passing yards and a touchdown, while Knowles had five receptions for 63 yards and a touchdown.
For Colorado, Jarek Broussard rushed for 106 yards and a touchdown, while quarterback Owen McCown threw for 183 yards and a touchdown. However, the Buffaloes ultimately failed to capitalize on their early lead and fell to 1-4 in Big 12 play.
The victory marks Kansas State's first road win in the Big 12 since 2021 and improves their overall record to 6-3. Colorado, on the other hand, drops to 1-9 overall and 1-5 in conference play.
The Wildcats will look to continue their momentum when they host No. 23 Texas Tech next Saturday at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Colorado will face a tough test when they travel to Ames to take on No. 21 Iowa State.
Kansas State's thrilling victory over Colorado is a testament to the team's resilience and determination. With Giddens leading the charge on offense and the defense making crucial plays in the clutch, the Wildcats are poised to make a run in the final stretch of the regular season.
