Nov 19, 20232 min read

Dawg Review: Kansas State Wins The Sunflower Showdown Thriller

Bill Snyder Family Stadium — Photo Credit- Nick Friesen CFD

Kansas State wins the Sunflower Showdown 31-27 for the 15th straight year. Kansas had a lead of 27-24 at the beginning of the fourth quarter forcing Kansas State to a three-and-out. On the punt KU had the chance to get the ball around midfield to get more points, instead Trevor Wilson muffed the punt and Kansas State recovered which would lead to eventually a Will Howard 15-yard rushing touchdown to put K-State ahead once and for all.

This game was full of what-if moments for Kansas. Early in the second quarter, Kansas scored a touchdown to go up 13-7. However, on the PAT the kick was blocked and returned by Lawrence Kansas native Keenan Garber to make it a 13-9 game. Early in the third quarter Will Howard threw a pass that should have been picked off and returned for a touchdown by Rich Miller but was dropped. Instead, the very next play Treshaun Ward broke off a 52-yard rush which was the first step to get Kansas State a touchdown to close the gap to 27-24.

Sunflower Showdown - MVP

If Kansas had held on to the lead this would have been Devin Neal with three touchdowns scored. Since they did not hold on to the lead the game MVP is DJ Giddens. DJ had 102 yards rushing and 1 touchdown. Kansas State got the ball back off of an interception with 5:24 to go. Kansas State used DJ Giddens and Will Howard on the ground primarily to ice the game and not allow Kansas to touch the ball again.