Kansas State Football Stages Spirited Comeback but Comes Up Short in 29-21 Defeat against Oklahoma State
Kansas State Football Stages Spirited Comeback but Comes Up Short in 29-21 Defeat against Oklahoma State
In Stillwater, Oklahoma, the Kansas State Wildcats faced a challenging 29-21 defeat against the Oklahoma State Cowboys on Friday night at Boone Pickens Stadium. Despite numerous setbacks and a lackluster offensive performance, the Wildcats managed to stay competitive until the very end.
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The game took an unexpected turn as the Wildcats, known for their strong starts, failed to score on their opening possession. Instead, Oklahoma State responded with a 15-play, 72-yard drive that resulted in a touchdown, setting the tone for the match.
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Kansas State quarterback Will Howard, despite a solid season, struggled with interceptions in this game, throwing three interceptions in total. Cameron Epps of the Cowboys was responsible for two of them. While the first interception didn’t hurt the Wildcats much, the second was a costly mistake. In the closing moments of the first half, Howard’s out-route pass intended for Phillip Brooks was picked off by Epps, who returned it for a 35-yard touchdown, extending Oklahoma State’s lead to 20-7.
A third interception, this time by Nickolas Martin, halted a potential fourth-quarter comeback for the Wildcats. Howard completed 15 of 34 passes for 152 yards during the game.
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The Wildcats’ defensive struggles continued as they allowed explosive plays throughout the game. Oklahoma State managed to achieve both a 33-yard run by Ollie Gordon and 45-yard pass completions from quarterback Alan Bowman to Jaden Bray and Rashod Owens in the first half alone.Â
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Gordon contributed a 36-yard rush during the third quarter.
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The absence of starting cornerback Jacob Parrish, who did not make the trip to Stillwater, and the injury to cornerback Will Lee in the first half compounded the defensive challenges for the Wildcats. Lee, who was performing well with eight tackles in the half, was replaced by Justice James, while Keenan Garber stepped in for Parrish.
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In summary, the game presented several challenges for the Kansas State Wildcats, including a slow start, quarterback interceptions, and defensive struggles, ultimately leading to their 29-21 loss to the Oklahoma State Cowboys.
