Kansas State Storms Back to Beat Rutgers in Rate Bowl

© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Kansas State (9-4) stormed back from a 17-point third-quarter deficit to beat Rutgers (7-6) 44-41 in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl on Dec. 26 at Chase Field in Phoenix. This game was an offensive explosion by both teams with Kansas State amassing 542 total yards while Rutgers had 401 yards. K-State was led by running back Dylan Edwards, who had a school bowl record 196 rushing yards and 3 total touchdowns. Rutgers was most effective in the game's first half, with 319 yards coming before halftime. Defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman made adjustments to the Wildcats' defense in the second half where they gave up 82 yards and 14 points with 7 of those coming after a long punt return setting up Rutgers with a 18-yard field.

Turning Point for Kansas State

Down 17 with 5:56 to go in the third quarter the K-State offense came out after two straight second-half drives that accounted for minus-8 yards. The first play was a handoff to Edwards who bolted to the end zone for a 65-yard touchdown run to cut the lead to 11. The next Rutgers drive ended with an interception from Athan Kaliakmanis to Daniel Cobbs. Four plays later Avery Johnson connected to Garrett Oakley for a 13-yard touchdown pass to cut the lead down to 5 points in 2:08 of game time. That would start a 27-7 run for K-State to end the game.

K-State History Made

Johnson set the school record for touchdown passes in the season with 25 passing Ohio State quarterback Will Howard. Wide receiver Jayce Brown broke the school record for receiving yards for a sophomore with 823 yards. The rushing attack averaged 6.06 yards per carry this season breaking the record from 2016 of 5.27 yards per carry.

Kansas State is one of five schools with three straight 9-win seasons and at least one conference championship. The other schools in that company are Oregon, Alabama, Georgia and Clemson.

What Is Next?

The offseason is here. Kansas State kept most of its core players in Manhattan, Kan. including some stars showcased in the Rate Bowl with Johnson, Edwards and Brown. Joe Jackson, who will be the second running back, had 50 yards rushing against Rutgers and a receiving touchdown. The K-State defense was full of young players including freshman cornerback Zashon Rich. After a rough first half, Rich came up big for the Wildcats defending two passes and making the tackle on wide receiver Ian Strong to turn the ball over on downs. This offseason will be full of anticipation to see this group of players grow and get ready for the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, Ireland against Iowa State in 2025.

Rutgers has a young core of players coming back next season. Antwan Raymond had 113 yards and 3 touchdowns against K-State as a freshman and will be ready to step in for Kyle Monangai. Strong will be back as a viable threat in the passing game. Under head coach Greg Schiano the Scarlet Knights will continue to improve and make some noise in the Big Ten Conference.