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BOULDER, Colo. — Avery Johnson bounced back from a pivotal interception by connecting with Jayce Brown for a 50-yard touchdown with just 2:14 left on the clock, leading No. 18 Kansas State to a 31-28 victory over Colorado on Saturday night.
Johnson, the dual-threat quarterback for the Wildcats (5-1, 2-1 Big 12), had a productive night, recording a rushing touchdown along with two touchdown passes, both thrown to Brown. The Wildcats had a comfortable 21-7 lead during the third quarter, but the Buffaloes (4-2, 2-1) rapidly closed the gap.
Colorado surged ahead when Shedeur Sanders connected with LaJohntay Wester for an 11-yard touchdown pass with only 3:12 remaining. This pivotal score followed an interception return of 59 yards by cornerback Colton Hood, who stepped in for star player Travis Hunter, who exited the game due to a shoulder injury.
Johnson needed just three plays to help Kansas State reclaim the lead. The Wildcats’ defense then stepped up, stopping Colorado on downs to secure the victory.
The Buffaloes nearly completed a remarkable comeback at Folsom Field for the second consecutive game. Just last month, they defeated Baylor in overtime after scoring a last-minute Hail Mary touchdown to tie the game.
DJ Giddens emerged as a standout for Kansas State, accumulating 182 rushing yards to become the first running back this season to surpass 100 yards against the Buffaloes’ defense.
Dylan Edwards, a running back who previously played for Colorado as a true freshman, made a successful return to Folsom Field, adding a 1-yard touchdown run to the scoreline.
With this loss, the Buffaloes’ three-game winning streak came to an end. Concerns also arose regarding Hunter’s health, as he appeared to injure his shoulder while catching a pass and colliding with safety Daniel Cobbs in the second quarter. Hunter, a hopeful for the Heisman Trophy due to his standout abilities both as a cornerback and a receiver, had shown his talents before being sidelined; he assisted Wester on a 25-yard touchdown with an impressive block.
Initially having a great game, Johnson engaged with the crowd, showcasing his playful side by performing the “Deion Shuffle” after scoring a touchdown, in honor of Colorado’s coach, Deion Sanders. He even took a selfie with a fan who lent him their phone while he was on a stationary bike.
Though Johnson briefly exited to the locker room in the third quarter while grasping his left side, he returned to contribute another touchdown pass to push the score to 21-7.
Sanders finished the game with an impressive 34 completions on 40 attempts for 388 yards and three touchdowns. He set a school record by completing 16 consecutive passes, narrowly missing a 17th when Will Sheppard dropped a pass placed perfectly in his hands. Sheppard later redeemed himself by catching a tough 7-yard touchdown pass that brought the score to 21-14.
The Takeaway:
Kansas State: The Wildcats demonstrated resilience, managing to reclaim the lead after initially losing it.
Colorado: The Buffaloes faced defensive challenges early on without Hunter, conceding 17 points across three successive drives.
Celebrity sightings included former NBA star Carmelo Anthony, who was spotted on the sidelines wearing an Avalanche jersey, along with Kevin Durant near Colorado’s bench ahead of the preseason game between the Phoenix Suns and the Denver Nuggets scheduled for Sunday night. Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook was also in attendance.
Next up:
Kansas State will face West Virginia next Saturday, while Colorado is set to visit Arizona.
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