Kansas State's ground game chews up Cincinnati in big win

Field Level Media|published: Sat 23rd November, 23:52 2024

NCAA Football: Cincinnati at Kansas State

Nov 23, 2024; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Avery Johnson (2) runs by Cincinnati Bearcats linebacker Jiquan Sanks (9) for a touchdown in the first quarter at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images

Avery Johnson threw for two touchdowns, rushed for a third, and DJ Giddens racked up 143 yards rushing and two scores as Kansas State shredded Cincinnati 41-15 on Saturday night in Manhattan, Kan.

Cincinnati (5-6, 3-5 Big 12) needs a home victory over TCU on Nov. 30 to get bowl-eligible.

Kansas State's defense held the Bearcats to 3-of-12 on third-down conversions and 0-of-5 on fourth-down attempts.

The Wildcats (8-3, 5-3) held just a 428-374 advantage in total yards, with the big advantage coming on the ground, 281-174.

Johnson was 13-of-23 for 147 yards and rushed 10 times for 72 yards.

Cincinnati tried to get back in the game when Brendan Sorsby found Tony Johnson in the back of the end zone for a 9-yard touchdown with 4:54 left in the third quarter. The Bearcats were unable to make the two-point conversion and were trailing 27-9.

But Kansas State answered with an 11-play, 73-yard drive. Giddens ran 17 yards for his second touchdown of the game for a 34-9 lead.

Johnson later found Will Swanson for an 8-yard touchdown, and Sorsby hit Johnson for a 6-yard touchdown with just over five minutes left to finish the scoring.

The Wildcats forced a three-and-out on Cincinnati's first possession and then went 65 yards in five plays for a 7-0 lead. Johnson had 54 yards rushing on the drive, including a 21-yard touchdown.

Chris Tennant added to the Kansas State lead with a 28-yard field goal on the next drive. Tennant then hit from 32 yards to stretch the lead to 13-0.

Kansas State stopped Cincinnati on fourth-and-8 at the Wildcats' 33-yard line and then marched 67 yards in four plays, capped by Giddens' 32-yard touchdown run.

Nathan Hawks connected on a 42-yard field goal to put Cincinnati on the board with 4:17 left in the second quarter, making the score 20-3. However, the Wildcats closed the half with a 6-yard touchdown from Johnson to Tre Spivey. The play was set up by an interception and 16-yard return to the Cincinnati 26 by Brendan Mott.

--Field Level Media