Kansas State routs Kansas 42-17, extends Sunflower Showdown win streak to 17
LAWRENCE, Kan. — Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson accounted for four touchdowns and the Wildcats returned a fumble for a score to rout Kansas 42-17 on Saturday, extending their winning streak in the Sunflower Showdown to 17 consecutive games.
Johnson threw for 231 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for two more scores as Kansas State (4-4, 3-2 Big 12) dominated its in-state rival for the 113th meeting between the schools. Wide receiver Jayce Brown caught four passes for 160 yards, including a 78-yard touchdown reception that Kansas State coach Chris Klieman called "the dagger."
The Wildcats have not lost to Kansas since 2008, now owning the longest active winning streak by one team over another in college football. Kansas State has won 31 of the last 37 meetings dating to 1990.
“These guys were razor-sharp and focused,” Klieman said. “We knew if we played average, we'd lose the game. That's a talented football team over there. But if we played our best, we're a better football team."
Kansas State made life miserable for Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels on a cold, wet day at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. The Wildcats recorded four sacks and seven tackles for loss while holding Daniels to 17 of 35 passing for 129 yards with an interception in his final Sunflower Showdown.
The game started dramatically when Kansas State fumbled the opening kickoff, leading to a quick Kansas touchdown. But the Wildcats responded with a long touchdown drive, then returned a botched punt snap 20 yards for another score by Rylan Ortiz to take a 21-7 lead in the first quarter.
"I’d be embarrassed [if I was a fan]," Kansas coach Lance Leipold. "I’m embarrassed right now. We need to play better in that. I’m embarrassed. You know, if you’re saying the win streak, I’m frustrated that we’ve lost five, because those are the five that I’ve been here. So I can’t control the past. I can work on the future."
Kansas cut the deficit to 21-14 on a 3-yard touchdown run by Daniel Hishaw Jr. with 30 seconds left in the first half, capping an 18-play, 85-yard drive. But the Jayhawks went three-and-out on their first two possessions of the second half, allowing Kansas State to seize control.
DeVon Rice scored on a 1-yard touchdown run to make it 28-14 midway through the third quarter. After Kansas kicked a field goal, Johnson connected with Brown on a 78-yard strike down the sideline to put the game away.
Joe Jackson added 69 yards rushing as Kansas State controlled the clock and wore down the Jayhawks in the second half. Hishaw led Kansas with 67 yards rushing and Daniels added a touchdown run.
The rivalry, known as the Sunflower Showdown after Kansas' state flower, dates to 1902 and ranks as one of college football's oldest continuous series. Kansas leads the all-time series 64-54-5, though the schools dispute the 1980 result that Kansas won on the field but later had to forfeit due to an ineligible player. Kansas claims a 65-53-5 record by counting the 1980 game.
Kansas dominated the early years of the rivalry, holding a 61-24-5 advantage through 1992. But Kansas State has turned the tables dramatically since Bill Snyder's arrival as coach in 1989, going 30-6 against the Jayhawks since 1990.
The Wildcats' 17-game winning streak surpasses their previous longest streak of 11 games from 1993-2003. Kansas State's largest margin of victory in the series came with a 64-0 win in 2002.
The last two meetings between the rivals were decided by four points or fewer, with Kansas State winning 31-27 in 2023 and 29-27 last season on a late field goal. Saturday's 25-point margin represented Kansas State's most lopsided victory since 2015.
The rivalry extends beyond football, with Kansas dominating the basketball series 206-96 overall and 87-15 since 1984. The schools' competition traces back to the 1860s when Manhattan and Lawrence vied to become home to the state university.
Kansas State improved to 4-4 overall and 3-2 in Big 12 play, winning three of its last four games after a difficult start to the season. Kansas fell to 4-4 overall and 2-3 in the conference.
The Wildcats host Texas Tech next Saturday, while Kansas travels to Oklahoma State.