Wildcats outlast Jayhawks to extend streak in Sunflower Showdown
The Kansas State players gather along the 20-yard line following a 35-24 win over Kansas Saturday October 17, 2026 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. (Lynn Harrington/stayaliveinpower5)
MANHATTAN, Kan. — The 124th edition of the Sunflower Showdown didn’t disappoint in entertainment, and after an intense battle on the gridiron, Kansas State still has bragging rights.
After all, the Wildcats started fast out of the gates, then went through some adversity, but once the smoke cleared, they prevailed against the Jayhawks, and won the game 35-24. It was Kansas State’s 18th-straight victory in the series, and Collin Klein’s first as the coach of his alma mater, and it couldn’t have happened at a better time.
The Wildcats’ backs were against the wall after an 0-2 start in Big 12 play, so they came out with a sense urgency against Lance Leipold’s Jayhawks, and it showed on their first drive of the game. On Kansas State’s first drive of the game, quarterback Avery Johnson set the tone. He exploded for a 59-yard run the put his team down in the red zone.
However, Johnson landed awkwardly on the ball, and remained on the ground for a couple of minutes afterwards, and the crowd was completely silent. Johnson eventually rose to his feet, appeared to be fine, and the Wildcats punched it in the end zone on the next play with a four-yard touchdown run by Rodney Fields.
After his team drew first blood, Klein realized they were ready to lay it all on the line for a win, which left Kansas with no choice, but to match the intensity.
“I think offensively, I liked our mindset, and I felt like we were in attack mode,” Klein said. “I felt like they were competing, and we left and did some things that, you know, you can’t do in a ball game like this, and expect to win consistently.”
Within a blink of an eye the Jayhawks responded, and Bryson Hayes returned the ensuing kickoff for a 95-yard touchdown. The momentum quickly shifted to Kansas’ side, and Klein knew his team was in for a dogfight. The Jayhawks eventually scored 17 unanswered points in the first quarter, before a light bulb came on for the Wildcats.
Kicker Luis Rodrigues nailed three field goals in the second quarter, which included a 51-yarder, and Kansas State (4-2) dominated the rest of the half. Klein was relieved to see his squad up 18-17 at halftime, after a sluggish start, and he wanted to keep his foot on the gas. Still, he knew Leipold would not go down without a fight, and the ground attack had to be the focal point of the second half.
“I think there was a couple plays in the first half, you know, whether there was a couple calls on those drives that frustrated me when they stalled us out,” he said. “We had a couple judgment call decisions on plays that didn’t go how they wanted to go, so trying to not beat ourselves with anything cute and let’s get north and south.”
Both teams exchanged touchdowns in the third quarter, and the Wildcats led by one point as they entered the final 15 minutes of the game. A potent ground attack that consisted of Johnson, Fields and Joe Jackson started to break down Kansas’ defense. Those small gains from the first half, turned into big chunks, and Klein smelled blood in the water.
The Wildcats put 10 points on the board in the fourth quarter, which included a fourth field goal from Rodriguez, and held the Jayhawks scoreless.
Once the smoke cleared, Kansas State led Kansas in total offense, rushing yards, passing yards, yards per play, first downs, plays and time of possession.
Johnson completed 14 of his 24 passes for 209 yards, a touchdown and an interception. He also rushed for 132 yards. Jackson finished with a game-high 159 yards on the ground, and a score. Fields also found the endzone, and generated 66 rush yards.
Jaron Tibbs led the Wildcats with five catches for 67 yards and a touchdown. Derrick Salley posted a game-high, 70 receiving yards.
Rodriguez stole the show though, and connected on all four of his field goal attempts. Defensively, Kansas State had a bend, but don’t break mentality, and made crucial stops down in the red zone.
Logan Bartley tallied a team-high, seven tackles, including one for loss and hauled in an interception. Mekhi Mason, Eli Jackson and Travis Bates each added five stops. Freshman defensive back Nick McClellan had his coming out party, with three solo tackles, including two for loss, and forced a fumble.
Klein admired the way his defense never panicked, and stayed the course. Once the dust settled, the Wildcats’ defense limited 319 yards of total offense.
“Defensively, very, very proud, it took again some steps forward from a run fit standpoint, and took some speed in with our ball carriers,” the 37-year old said. “For the mistakes partcwe were able to maintain containment through the course of the game.”
Klein was glad his team delivered a performance that the 51,961 fans in attendance could be proud of. Having a double-digit win over an in-state rival is bringing new energy to the season, and Klein wants to build on it as Kansas State continues to navigate through the Big 12 gauntlet.
Regardless, Kansas State now has the confidence it needs to travel on the road to face a dangerous Arizona State team. Klein believes his squad still has everything to play for, and controls their own destiny.
