Kansas State faced a daunting task when DJ Giddens, one of the Big 12’s best running backs, withdrew from the Rate Bowl to prepare for the NFL Draft.

Dylan Edwards showed the Wildcats and their fans that they had nothing to worry about.

Edwards ran for 196 yards and scored his third touchdown on a 36-yard run in the fourth quarter, helping Kansas State get past Rutgers 44-41 in the Rate Bowl on Thursday night.

“Dylan and these young guys, these kids are really good players,” Kansas State coach Chris Klieman said. “All you need is faith and self-confidence.”

They got it in the desert – after some initial stumbles.

The Scarlet Knights (7-6) led by 10 at halftime and took a 34-17 lead on Ja’shon Benjamin’s 7-yard touchdown catch on the first drive of the second half. But Edwards and the Wildcats (9-4) stormed back.

Edwards scored on a 65-yard touchdown run and, after an interception by Rutgers’ Athan Kaliakmanis, Garrett Oakley caught a 13-yard touchdown pass to pull Kansas State within five minutes. The Wildcats failed to convert two points after both touchdowns.

Rutgers briefly regained momentum and took a 41-29 lead early in the fourth quarter on Antwan Raymond’s 1-yard TD run on a fake tush.

Kansas State responded with a 9-yard touchdown pass from Avery Johnson to Jadon Jackson. Edwards followed with his 36-yard score, capping an impressive night in place of Giddens, who ran for 1,343 yards and seven touchdowns during the regular season.

“We worked on these plays for two weeks, so I just tried to do my job and that’s what I did,” Edwards said.

Rutgers still had a chance. The Scarlet Knights moved from their 25 to Kansas State’s 44, but gained just three more yards and turned it over on downs with just under two minutes left.

“I tell players: If you do everything in life to be your best, you can be disappointed,” Rutgers coach Greg Schiano said. “I know this team did everything they could, just fell a little short.”

Rutgers was also without its leading rusher as Kyle Monangai withdrew to prepare for the NFL draft.

Raymond was solid in his position, running for 113 yards and three touchdowns. Kaliakmanis threw for 237 yards and a touchdown, but also had a crucial interception and was just 14 of 32 passing.

Rutgers had 82 yards of offense in the second half after racking up 319 yards in the first.

“They controlled the game in the second half with their offense and their defense,” Schiano said.

Johnson’s run

Johnson faced some criticism in his second season, but never let it bother him.

Johnson threw for 195 yards and three touchdowns on 15 of 30 passes in the Rate Bowl and added 57 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries. Jackson’s touchdown pass in the fourth quarter was his 25th of the season, breaking the school record set by Ell Roberson and Will Howard.

“I’ve seen a lot of guys who have great talent and don’t put in a lot of effort, but he has both combinations,” Kansas State linebacker Austin Moore said. “He will continue to be special.”

Takeaways

Kansas State: The Wildcats struggled defensively until they needed it most, shutting down Rutgers for most of the second half. From there, Edwards kept going, totaling 223 yards — no more than his last TD run.

Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights were within reach of a second straight bowl victory, but let it slip away in the second half due to a series of defensive errors.

Next

Kansas State: Johnson, Edwards and RB Joe Jackson are underclassmen, as is leading tackler Austin Romaine. DE Brendan Mott and Moore, anchor of the K-State defense, played their final college games.

Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights will have a lot of holes to fill in the offseason. Kaliakmanis is one of six experienced starters on offense and eight on defense.