Well, I think it is safe to say Kansas State got back on track this week.
After an abysmal performance against BYU in Week 4, Kansas State needed to come out and make a statement against Oklahoma State in Week 5, and boy, did they. The Wildcats scored just nine points against BYU and weren't able to win the end zone, but against Oklahoma State, the Wildcats hung 42 points and found the end zone six times. Kansas State got the 42-20 win over the Cowboys.
This was Kansas State's most complete game this season as the Wildcats did it both on offense and defense. Avery Johnson accounted for five of the six touchdowns scored and the defense had three takeaways on the day.
The Wildcats came out firing in the first half with a touchdown on their first drive but struggled for a few drives until about five minutes left in the second half. Kanas State went into halftime up 21-13 and had a few adjustments to make in the locker room.
Clearly, those adjustments worked because the Wildcats came out swinging in the second half and did not miss. Kansas State forced Oklahoma State to punt on their first drive, and just a few plays into their own drive, Wildcat running back DJ Giddens ripped off a run for 66 yards and a touchdown. Kansas State had all the momentum.
31 went 66 for the tuddy 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/BuYmdSKLla
— K-State Football (@KStateFB) September 28, 2024
Giddens finished the day with 15 carries for 187 yards and a touchdown.
Enter in the defense.
On OSU's next drive, seventh-year quarterback Alan Bowman was picked off by Marques Sigle, a key part of this Wildcat defense. Kansas State wasn't able to capitalize on the turnover, but after trading punts back a forth for a few drives, the Wildcats got to work yet again.
the run game was the name of the game in the second half for Kansas State as they finished the day with 300 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Giddens was responsible for one of those touchdowns, while Johnson yet again showcased how dangerous he is with his legs with his first two rushing touchdowns of the season.
Johnson was able to find the comfort of the tight end position as well for two of his three passing touchdowns today, with Garrett Oakley and Will Anciaux on the receiving end. Johnson finished his day 19-for-31 with 259 passing yards, a season-high, three touchdowns, and just one interception.
The Kansas State defense gave up over 70 rushing yards to Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon in the first quarter but was able to bottle him up for the rest of the game. Gordon ended the game with just 76 yards, having just three in the final three quarters.
That put the game on Bowman's shoulders, which was the game plan for the Wildcats. Bowman was unable to put the game on his shoulders for the Cowboys and the Kansas State defense picked him off twice and had a fumble recovery in a snap Bowman was unable to handle. The Kansas State defense allowed just one touchdown to Oklahoma State in the second half, and it was essentially a garbage-time touchdown for the Cowboys.
This was the bounce-back game Kansas State desperately needed after last week's game against BYU. With the win today, the Wildcats stay towards the top of the Big 12 and keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive this season.