PHOENIX (AP) — Dylan Edwards ran for 196 yards and scored his third touchdown on a 36-yard run in the fourth quarter, helping Kansas State get past Rutgers 44-41 on Thursday night in the Rate Bowl.
The Scarlet Knights (7-6) led by 10 at halftime and led 34-17. Ja’shon Benjamin‘s seven-yard touchdown catch on the opening drive of the second half. But Edwards and the Wildcats (9-4) stormed back.
Edwards scored on a 65-yard touchdown run and, after an interception by Rutgers’ Athan Kaliakmanis, Garrett Oakley caught a 13-yard touchdown pass to pull Kansas State within five. The Wildcats failed two-point conversions after both touchdowns.
Rutgers briefly regained momentum and went up 41-29 early in the fourth quarter Antwan Raymond‘s 1-yard TD runs on a push fake.
Kansas State responded with Avery Johnson‘s 9-yard touchdown pass to Jadon Jackson. Edwards followed with his 36-yard score, capping off an impressive night instead of DJ Giddenswho opted out of the bowl game to prepare for the NFL Draft.
Kansas State closed out the game by stopping Rutgers on fourth down near midfield with just under two minutes remaining.
Johnson threw for three touchdowns, including a 26-yarder to Edwards in the second quarter, and finished with 195 yards on 15-of-30 passing.
Raymond ran for 113 yards and three touchdowns in place of the leading rusher Kyle Monangaiwho also chose to prepare for the NFL Draft.
Kaliakmanis threw for 237 yards and a touchdown with an interception on 14-of-32 passing.
Takeaways
Kansas State: The Wildcats struggled defensively until they needed it most, shutting down Rutgers for most of the second half. Edwards went on to rack up 223 total yards – none greater than his final TD run.
Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights had a second straight bowl victory within reach, but let it slip through their fingers with a slew of defensive miscues in the second half.
Next
Kansas State: Johnson, Edwards and RB Joe Jackson are underclassmen, as is the leading tackler Austin Romaine. THE Brendan Mot and L.B Austin Mooreanchors on K-State’s defense, played their final college games.
Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights will have plenty of holes to fill this offseason. Kaliakmanis is one of six senior starters on offense, and the defense has eight.
