Kansas State safety Jack Fabris scored a crucial 60-yard touchdown off a fumble by Tulane quarterback Darian Mensah in the fourth quarter, and VJ Payne’s interception in the end zone helped the 17th-ranked Wildcats secure a 34-27 win over Tulane on Saturday.
Tulane seemed to have a chance to tie the game with 17 seconds left when Mensah connected with Yulkeith Brown near the left sideline, but receiver Dontae Fleming was called for offensive pass interference, which blocked a defender from reaching Brown.
Payne’s interception came two plays later. “I didn’t see the pass interference but thankfully they called it,” Kansas State coach Chris Klieman said. “We found a way to get out of here.”
Tulane’s first-year coach Jon Sumrall did not criticize the call directly but expressed his dissatisfaction with the officiating.
“I didn’t get very many good explanations in the second half with the officiating,” Sumrall said. “It left a lot to be desired. That’s probably about all I want to say.”
Avery Johnson threw for two touchdowns for Kansas State (2-0). DJ Giddens rushed for 114 yards, his sixth consecutive 100-yard game, and had 63 yards receiving, including a 45-yard touchdown catch on fourth down that tied the game at 20 in the third quarter.
“It’s hard to be down on the road. So, we kind of had to make our own momentum shifts,” Johnson said. “We had some guys step up and make some big plays.”
Tulane (1-1) was in the lead for much of the game and was close to breaking a 27-all tie when Mensah was sacked and lost the ball, which was recovered and returned for a touchdown by Fabris with 8:13 left.
Mensah “probably got a little careless with the ball,” Sumrall said. “He’s got really good poise in the pocket. That’s part of what makes him special. He’s just got to understand you have to protect the ball. That was a critical play.”
Mensah, who is starting for the first time this season, completed 19 of 29 passes for 342 yards and two touchdowns to tight end Alex Bauman. However, his key turnovers were costly.
Southern California transfer Mario Williams caught six passes for 128 yards for Tulane, and Makhi Hughes ran for 128 yards and a touchdown.
Williams’ catches included a 47-yard gain on third and 21, which set up Mensah’s pass to Bauman, giving Tulane a 27-20 lead.
Dylan Edwards evened the score with a 13-yard touchdown run, capping a 75-yard drive started by Johnson’s 33-yard pass.
“It definitely wasn’t pretty at all and we know tomorrow we’re going to get our butts ripped in the film room,” K-State linebacker and defensive captain Austin Moore said. “But we’re happy with how we finished and how hard we played.”
Tulane, an 8 1/2-point underdog, initially led 7-3 with Hughes’ 3-yard run, set up by Mensah’s 53-yard pass to Fleming.
Mensah’s 36-yard pass to Bauman gave Tulane a 14-3 lead before Kansas State responded with its first touchdown drive, featuring a 51-yard run by Giddens.
Johnson finished the drive by rolling to his left and finding Will Swanson for a diving catch in the back of the end zone on third down.
Tulane drove inside the Kansas State 20-yard line two more times in the second quarter but lost yards both times, settling for Jacob Barnes field goals of 40 and 41 yards to lead 20-10 at halftime.
