Kansas State recovers late from a deficit of 17 to stop Rutgers in the Rate Bowl at Chase Field

Kansas State recovers late from a deficit of 17 to stop Rutgers in the Rate Bowl at Chase Field

The Kansas State Wildcats celebrated a 44-41 comeback victory over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the Rate Bowl at Arizona Diamondbacks Chase Field in Phoenix on Thursday.

The underdog Scarlet Knights held a 27-17 halftime lead and extended that lead to 34-17 at 8:57 of the third quarter. The Wildcats stormed back thanks to several chunk plays and defensive stops, eventually getting the go-ahead score on Dylan Edwards’ 36-yard run with 4:15 left in the fourth quarter.

“I think the guys (at Kansas State) believed,” Kansas State linebacker Austin Moore said, “but once we started playing faster and applying more pressure, the guys really believed and ran with it, and I think this is the moment we agree.” I felt like the dynamic was starting to change.

The two-point conversion, a pass from Avery Johnson to Garrett Oakley, increased the lead to 44-41 and marked Kansas State’s first lead since 10-7 in the first quarter.

Rutgers couldn’t get past midfield on its next drive and had a turnover on downs with 1:55 left. Johnson had a 6-yard run for a first down and then took a knee twice to seal the win.

Kansas State was led by Edwards’ 18 carries for 196 yards and three touchdowns, Johnson (15 of 30, 195 yards, three touchdowns, one interception), Austin Romaine (seven tackles) and Moore (six tackles, including 1.5 tackles for Loss). ).

Sophomore Edwards filled in for Kansas State’s top rusher, DJ Giddens, who left after declaring for the NFL draft. Edwards powered the Wildcats’ 18th-ranked rushing attack, which racked up 347 yards to Rutgers’ 164 yards.

“I played all season,” Edwards said when asked about his larger role in the Rate Bowl. “I didn’t wait for my time. I was just trying to do my job and do my part for this team.”

“I guess you could say I had more work to do today. So as long as I stayed focused and did what I was supposed to do, I think we would be successful.”

The Scarlet Knights’ best players were freshman RB Antwan Raymond (18 carries, 113 yards, three rushing TDs), Strong (five catches, 105 yards) and quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (14-for-32, 237 yards, one TD, one INT). ).

Rutgers finished ninth in the Big Ten standings at 7-6.

“I lost track of the number of surgeries at the end of the season, and on this day of college football, most teams would have folded up the tent and said, ‘We’ll take care of it next year,'” Rutgers coach Greg said Schiano. “And this group of guys fought back. They literally picked themselves off the screen and battled back and found a way to win seven games and do it in the Big Ten Conference.”

The Wildcats finished their season 9-4. They got off to a 7-1 start and were ranked No. 15 in the USA Today poll, but dropped out of the poll in Week 11 as they lost three of their final four games. They finished eighth in the Big 12 standings after being picked by college football experts in the preseason to compete for a conference title.

“I know there’s some disappointment because there’s a lot of teams that don’t win nine games, man,” Kansas State coach Chris Klieman said. “We just won nine damn games and now we’re talking about disappointment?

“I’ll get out of this business if we do that because it’s damn hard to win. And when you look at what our guys did to win the ninth game, I’m just proud of those guys.”

K-State coaches work for Arizona State in the College Football Playoff

Arizona State is the only Big 12 team in the College Football Playoff after winning the conference title.

Klieman said after the Rate Bowl that he was interested in No. 4 seed ASU in the CFP quarterfinals against No. 5 Texas in the Peach Bowl on Jan. 1 because of the conference connection and more.

“We know our league plays great football,” Klieman said. “I can’t wait to see Arizona State play. I’m a big (ASU coach) Kenny Dillingham fan. I have friends on this team. They’ll be ready to play.”

ASU defeated Kansas State 24-14 on November 16th.

Klieman isn’t the only one rooting for ASU against former Big 12 school Texas, which is playing its first season in the SEC.

The Republic asked K-State fan Cole Copeland, who attended the Rate Bowl, for his prediction.

“As for Texas, since they are a former Big 12 school and they left the Big 12, I don’t particularly care about them,” Copeland said. “I hope they lose. I know they are talented.” is possible, but I think anything is possible.

“I think ASU has a proven track record of being a good team. They went 11-1 with their starting quarterback (Sam Leavitt), they lost without him… I think it will be within twelve and a half.”

Texas had a lead of 13.5 points on Thursday night.

(This story has been updated to add new information.)

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Kansas State makes comeback against Rutgers in Phoenix’s Rate Bowl

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