K-State adds another late comeback to beat Rutgers in Rate Bowl

Field Level Media|published: Thu 26th December, 21:57 2024

Dec 26, 2024; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Avery Johnson (2) prior to the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Dylan Edwards ran for 196 yards and two touchdowns and added a third score receiving as Kansas State defeated Rutgers 44-41 in the Rate Bowl in Phoenix, Ariz., on Thursday.

The Wildcats trailed by 17 points approaching the midpoint of the third quarter and won their fourth game this season when trailing in the fourth quarter.

Kansas State (9-4) had 542 yards of total offense. Avery Johnson was 15-of-30 passing for 195 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for 57 yards and a score.

Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis finished 14 of 32 for 237 yards and a touchdown for Rutgers (7-6).

After opening with a punt, the Scarlet Knights scored on six straight possessions, capped by a touchdown the first time they had the ball in the second half. Kaliakmanis found Ja'shon Benjamin for a touchdown on a 7-yard screen pass to give Rutgers a 34-17 lead.

Following an exchange of punts, Edwards rushed 65 yards to trim the lead to 34-23.

On Rutgers' next possession, Daniel Cobbs intercepted Kaliakmanis, and the Wildcats capitalized on 13-yard touchdown pass from Johnson to Garrett Oakley, and the deficit was down to five at 34-29.

Late in the third, Rutgers took over at the Kansas State 18-yard line following Christian Dremel's 67-yard punt return. Soon after, Antwan Raymond scored a 1-yard touchdown, giving Rutgers a 41-29 lead with 14:02 left.

Johnson then found Joe Jackson on a 9-yard touchdown pass to trim it the Wildcats' deficit to 41-36.

After a three-and-out, Edwards ran for a 36-yard score, giving Kansas State its first lead since early in the second quarter. Johnson found Oakley for the two-point conversion and a 44-41 lead with 4:15 left.

The Wildcats then stopped Rutgers on fourth-and-7 at the Scarlet Knights' 44-yard line with 1:55 left.

In the first half, Kansas State got a 29-yard Chris Tennant field goal.

The teams then traded 75-yard touchdown drives, as Raymond and Johnson scored on 2-yard runs. Rutgers settled for a 31-yard field goal from Jai Patel to tie the game.

Raymond had a 65-yard run to set up a 2-yard touchdown run by Benjamin for a 17-10 lead with 9:31 left in the half.

Moments later, Johnson found Edwards on a screen for a 26-yard touchdown to tie the game. But Raymond raced untouched for a 24-yard touchdown to give Rutgers the lead.

Rutgers closed the half with Patel's 48-yard field goal with 4:15 left in the half.

--Field Level Media