Quarterback Avery Johnson leads No. 14 Kansas State over No. 20 Arizona, 31-7

Field Level Media|published: Fri 13th September, 23:32 2024

Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Avery Johnson (2) throws a pass during the first quarter of the game against Arizona at Bill Snyder Family Stadium Friday, September 13, 2024.

Avery Johnson passed for two touchdowns, Dylan Edwards returned a punt for a score, and No. 14 Kansas State stopped the nation's longest winning streak by beating No. 20 Arizona 31-7 in a nonconference game on Friday night in Manhattan, Kan.

Arizona (2-1) had won nine games in a row but didn't muster much offense after going up 7-0 on the game's first possession. Edwards gave Kansas State (3-0) a 14-7 lead early in the second quarter with a 71-yard return, while Johnson was a dual threat, rushing for 110 yards on 17 carries and completing 14 of 23 passes for 156 yards.

Although it was a matchup of Big 12 teams, the result does not count in the league standings. The game was scheduled before Arizona joined the Big 12 this season and kept on the slate as a nonconference clash.

Arizona didn't do much offensively beyond the passing connection of Noah Fifita to Tetairoa McMillan. Fifita was 26 of 42 passing for 268 yards, with McMillan making 11 receptions for 138 yards.

Fifita threw a costly interception in the second quarter, when he threw late over the middle and was intercepted in the end zone by Keenan Garber, who preserved his team's 14-7 lead.

Kansas State went up 21-7 with 9:29 to go in the third quarter when Johnson capped a touchdown drive with a 9-yard pass to Brayden Loftin, a score that was set up by a 48-yard completion to Jayce Brown on third-and-12.

DJ Giddens, who ran for 86 yards, scored on a 1-yard run late in the quarter for a 28-7 lead.

Kansas State held Arizona to 324 total yards.

Kansas State answered Arizona's 14-play touchdown drive on the opening possession with a TD drive that lasted 15 plays, tying the game at 7 late in the first quarter on a 3-yard pass from Johnson to Will Swanson.

K-State missed a chance to add to its 14-7 lead after reaching the Arizona 19 with nine seconds left in the half. Johnson scrambled to keep the next play alive, with the clock running out after a 5-yard gain.

--Field Level Media