Kansas State 31-28 Colorado (Oct. 12, 2024) Game Recap

BOULDER, Colo. — Avery Johnson recovered from a late interception by hitting Jayce Brown for a 50-yard touchdown with 2:14 left as No. 18 Kansas State escaped with a 31-28 victory over Colorado on Saturday night .

The dual-threat quarterback for the Wildcats (5-1, 2-1 Big 12) finished the game with a rushing score and two passing TDs, both to Brown.

The Wildcats led 21-7 in the third quarter and saw the Buffaloes (4-2, 2-1) steadily pull away. Colorado took the lead when Shedeur Sanders threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to LaJohntay Wester with 3:12 left.

The decision came when Johnson's tipped pass led to a 59-yard interception return by cornerback Colton Hood, who came off the bench after two-way star Travis Hunter left the game in the first half with an apparent shoulder injury.

Johnson needed just three plays to help Kansas State retake the lead. The Wildcats' defense stopped the Buffaloes on downs, cementing the win.

“At the end of the day, in big moments you just have to play,” Johnson said. “At the end of the day, that’s exactly what our guys did.”

For the Buffaloes, it was almost the second magical comeback in a row at Folsom Field. They defeated Baylor in overtime on September 21 after tying the score on a Hail Mary pass with no time left in regulation.

“Sometimes when you lose in life, you get kicked in the butt and you just have to take it. Sometimes you lose and say, ‘Damn, we should have won that.’ We should have,” Colorado coach Deion Sanders said. “It was one of those games. That doesn’t take anything away from our opponents because they played their butts off.”

DJ Giddens finished the game with 182 yards, becoming the first receiver to break 100 yards against the Buffaloes this season. Kansas State outscored Colorado 185 to minus-29 on the floor.

It was a successful return to Folsom Field for Wildcats tailback Dylan Edwards with a 1-yard TD run. He was a true freshman with the Buffaloes last season before transferring to Kansas State.

The Buffaloes' three-game winning streak ended. Even more concerning is the health of Hunter, who apparently injured his shoulder catching a pass from Shedeur Sanders and running full speed into safety Daniel Cobbs in the second quarter. The team also lost receivers Jimmy Horn Jr., Omarion Miller and Terrell Timmons Jr. to injuries.

Deion Sanders had no immediate injury updates.

Hunter is a Heisman prospect with hopes for his play as a cornerback and receiver. Before he left, he showed off his blocking skills by picking out a defender and allowing Wester to score on a 25-yard pass.

Before the interception and comeback, Johnson was having a lot of fun on the field. After a score, he released the “Deion Shuffle.” The cameras also captured Johnson taking a selfie with a fan in the stands who handed him his cell phone while he rode a stationary bike.

Johnson briefly went to the locker room in the third quarter and held his left side, but returned to throw a TD pass that made it 21-7.

Shedeur Sanders finished 34 of 40 for 388 yards and three scores. He completed a school-best 16 passes and nearly made it 17 in a row, but Will Sheppard left a pass in his hands. Shortly thereafter, Sheppard made up for it with a difficult 7-yard TD reception to make it 21-14.

“Yeah, we made a statement — that we lost,” the Colorado QB said.

The snack bar

Kansas State: Johnson and the Wildcats didn't panic after losing the lead and found a way to respond. “Some of the things that happened will help us,” coach Chris Klieman said.

Colorado: Safety Shilo Sanders returned after missing three games with a forearm injury. “I thought he was rusty,” his father/coach said.

Celebrity sightings

Longtime NBA star Carmelo Anthony stood on the sidelines wearing a Colorado Avalanche jersey. Kevin Durant also appeared near Colorado's bench. The Phoenix Suns play the Denver Nuggets in a preseason game on Sunday evening.

Also in attendance was Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook.

Next

Kansas State: At West Virginia on Saturday.

Colorado: In Arizona on Saturday.

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