Houston knocks off No. 17 Kansas State with late score

Field Level Media|published: Sat 2nd November, 20:12 2024

Nov 2, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Cougars defensive back Hershey McLaurin (15) reacts after tackling Kansas State Wildcats running back DJ Giddens (31) for a loss in the first quarter at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-Imagn Images

Zeon Chriss scored a 41-yard touchdown run with 2:31 left to lift Houston to a 24-19 upset of No. 17 Kansas State Saturday afternoon in a driving rainstorm in Houston.

Kansas State's Hail Mary on the final play was incomplete.

Avery Johnson finished 23-of-39 for 219 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions for the Wildcats (7-2, 4-2 Big 12).

Chriss was a perfect 11-of-11 for the Cougars (4-5, 3-3 Big 12) while also running for 75 yards and the winning score.

Late in the third quarter, Johnson hit Jayce Brown for a 61-yard pass, setting up a 47-yard Chris Tennant field goal to make it a 19-10 game.

Kansas State appeared to have control of the game, but Johnson was intercepted by Jeremiah Wilson, who returned it to the K-State 9-yard line. Three plays later, Chriss found Maliq Carr on a 1-yard touchdown.

A K-State punt gave Houston the ball at its own 44 trailing 19-17. A pass-interference penalty on Keenan Garber put the ball at the K-State 41. Chriss then ran untouched up the middle for the go-ahead score with 2:31 left.

The Wildcats took the opening kickoff and went 70 yards in a 15-play drive that took 6:48. The drive stalled on the Houston 4-yard line and the Wildcats had to settle for a 23-yard Tennant field goal and a 3-0 lead.

The Cougars answered with a 53-yard drive after a short punt. The big play was a conversion on fourth-and-2 at the K-State 45-yard line. Chriss found Joseph Manjack behind the secondary and Manjack was tripped up at the 1-yard line. Donovan Smith punched it in on the next play.

After another three-and-out by K-State, Houston extended the lead to 10-3 with a 22-yard Jack Martin field goal.

DJ Giddens scored a 2-yard touchdown to cap a 14-play drive for the Wildcats. The extra point was blocked and K-State still trailed 10-9.

On Houston's next possession, Tobi Osunsanmi sacked Chriss and forced a fumble. The Wildcats recovered at the Houston 48. Johnson found Keagan Johnson on a 7-yard touchdown pass with 9 seconds left in the half.

--Field Level Media