K-State holds off Iowa State 27-17 in ‘Farmageddon’

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Jordon Brown and Jacardia Wright ran for touchdowns, Joshua Youngblood took a kickoff back 93 yards for another score, and Kansas State beat Iowa State 27-17 in a defensive slugfest Saturday night.

The Wildcats (8-4, 5-4 Big 12) only managed 57 yards passing and 288 yards of total offense, but they scored the final 13 points while holding the Cyclones’ high-powered offense in check.

Brock Purdy was just 15 of 30 for 185 yards passing and a touchdown, and the Cyclones (7-5, 5-4) finished with 236 yards in all. Their biggest problem came in converting third downs — they were 1 of 13 — and that in turn led to a massive advantage for Kansas State in time of possession.

The result: The Wildcats beat the Cyclones for the 11th time in 12 meetings in the game known as “Farmageddon.” They also have won seven straight in Manhattan against their fellow land-grant college.

It was Senior Day in Manhattan, but it was a freshman that provided the early fireworks.

Youngblood fielded the opening kickoff on a cold, wind-swept night and angled toward the Iowa State sideline, then headed up field. There was nobody in a chrome red helmet between him and the end zone, and the fleet-footed freshman cruised to his nation-leading third kick return TD of the season.

Kansas State’s offense soon got on track, too.

After taking possession inside its own 10-yard line for the third straight time, the Wildcats used nearly 7 minutes to march 98 yards for the score. They converted three third downs, got some help from a personal foul penalty and capped it with Wright’s 12-yard touchdown run.

Iowa State finally gave Purdy time to answer, and the record-setting sophomore quarterback used it to pick apart Kansas State’s well-regarded secondary. Purdy threw a 15-yard strike to Sean Shaw Jr. for a touchdown, then connected with Tarique Milton for 60 yards to set up Breece Hall’s tying touchdown.

That score came on fourth-and-goal at the 1-yard line, and after Iowa State coach Matt Campbell and Kansas State counterpart Chris Klieman hilariously traded four total timeouts.

After trading field goals during an offensively inept third quarter, the Wildcats took advantage of good field position set up by their defense to pull ahead 24-17. Brown finished the methodical eight-play drive — entirely on the ground — by going untouched 15 yards with 10:24 left in the game.

The Cyclones were forced to punt on their next possession, and Wright and Youngblood tore off long runs to set up Blake Lynch’s chip-shot field goal that effectively put the game out of reach.

BIG PICTURE

Iowa State’s offense came into the game sixth nationally in passing at 330.5 yards per game, but Purdy struggled with the stiff, cold wind out of the west. He also got little help from his receivers, who dropped several passes — a few of them on crucial third downs.

Kansas State stuck to its persona by running the ball, even though Iowa State led the Big 12 in rush defense, and it paid off. The Wildcats wore the Cyclones down at the line of scrimmage in the fourth quarter and that allowed them to break the 17-all tie.

UP NEXT

Both teams will await their bowl destinations next weekend.