No. 17 Kansas State escapes upset with late win over North Dakota

Field Level Media|published: Sat 30th August, 23:07 2025

Kansas State Wildcats safety Gunner Maldonado (3) warms up on the sidelines during the first half against the North Dakota Fighting Hawks at Bill Snyder Family Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025.

Avery Johnson's 6-yard touchdown pass to Joe Jackson with 42 seconds left helped No. 17 Kansas State win 38-35 to avoid an embarrassing loss to North Dakota of the FCS.

The Fighting Hawks (0-1) were looking for the biggest upset in program history and their first victory over and FBS opponent since 2015.

Avery Johnson finished 28 of 43 for 318 yards and three touchdowns.

The Wildcats (1-1) played in all-white uniforms at home for the first time in program history. It was also the first home game in white jerseys since 1991. They typically wear silver pants, both at home and on the road.

Jerry Kaminski was 23 of 38 for 231 yards and a touchdown for North Dakota. He also scored two touchdowns on the ground.

DeVon Rice put the Wildcats head midway through the third quarter on a 9-yard run around the right end. Rice then gave the Wildcats the first two-score lead of the game at 31-21 with a 13-yard scamper up the middle, untouched into the end zone.

But North Dakota would not go away. The Fighting Hawks opened the fourth-quarter scoring with a nine-play, 71-yard drive, capped by a Kaminski-to-Korey Tai 22-yard touchdown.

Sawyer Seidl then put UND up 35-31 with 4:19 left on a 20-yard touchdown run.

Kansas State, which went just 1-of-4 on fourth-down attempts in a season-opening loss to Iowa State, converted two fourth-and-short attempts, leading to a 30-yard field goal by Luis Rodriguez. But North Dakota responded with a five-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. Kaminski recovered Grant Tylutki's fumble in the end zone for the score.

K-State regained the lead on a 44-yard touchdown pass from Johnson to Jayce Brown. But North Dakota answered with a 10-play, 80-yard drive. Kaminski scored on a 1-yard plunge.

K-State was fortunate to regain the lead on a 30-yard touchdown pass from Johnson to Jaron Tibbs. The ball went through the hands of safety Jy Martin at the goal line.

North Dakota took a 21-17 halftime lead on a 16-yard touchdown run by Seidl with 24 seconds left. The UND drive continued on a defensive penalty on fourth down and another defensive penalty on second-and-21.

--Field Level Media