Avery Johnson bounced back from a late interception by connecting with Jayce Brown for a 50-yard touchdown with 2:14 left, leading No. 18 Kansas State to a 31-28 victory over Colorado on Saturday night.
The dual-threat quarterback for the Wildcats (5-1, 2-1 Big 12) finished with one rushing touchdown and two passing touchdowns, both to Brown.
After leading 21-7 in the third quarter, the Wildcats watched as the Buffaloes (4-2, 2-1) slowly fought back. Colorado took the lead when Shedeur Sanders threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to LaJohntay Wester with 3:12 remaining.
This score happened after Johnson’s tipped pass led to a 59-yard interception return by cornerback Colton Hood, who stepped in after star player Travis Hunter left the game in the first half due to a shoulder injury.
Johnson quickly helped Kansas State regain the lead in just three plays. The Wildcats’ defense then stopped the Buffaloes on downs, securing the win.
“Ultimately you’ve just got to make plays in big moments,” Johnson said. “Ultimately, that’s what our guys did.”
It was almost another dramatic comeback for the Buffaloes at Folsom Field. They had previously beaten Baylor on September 21 in overtime after tying the game with a Hail Mary pass at the end of regulation.
“Sometimes when you lose in life, you get your butt kicked and you’ve just got to take it. Sometimes you lose, you say, ‘Dang, we should’ve won that.
We should’ve had that,’” Colorado coach Deion Sanders said. “That was one of those types of games. That’s not taking anything away from our opponents because they played their butts off.”
DJ Giddens had 182 yards, making him the first running back this season to gain over 100 yards against the Buffaloes. Kansas State outgained Colorado 185 to minus-29 on the ground.
For Wildcats running back Dylan Edwards, returning to Folsom Field was a success as he scored on a 1-yard touchdown run. He was a true freshman with the Buffaloes last season before transferring to Kansas State.
Colorado’s three-game winning streak ended. More worryingly, Hunter’s health was in question after he appeared to hurt his shoulder while catching a pass from Shedeur Sanders and running 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 updates on their conditions.
Hunter is a Heisman hopeful for his performances as both a cornerback and a receiver. Before his injury, he showcased his blocking skills by helping Wester score on a 25-yard pass.
